Graduation year - the year you get your graduation result/year of graduation ceremony

freaky_stuff

I am buying someone a graduation gift (that is to be engraved). But before parting with cash i want to clear up that i am putting the correct date.

The person finished their course last year (2011) and got their final results then. But their graduation ceremony is this year. I am plannning to write the date 2012 - as its the date of the graduation ceremony, but my mum reckons its the year the person passes.

Can anyone clarify. It might seem like an obvious answer, but id rather be sure before i pay.

Thanks in advance

Pont

To me, according to your post, the person graduated last year (2011) - they became a graduate once they got their results. They would have received a document at the time stating their graduation date.
The ceremony (2012) is merely public recognition of their graduation in 2011. I'm with your mum on this one.

Oldernotwiser

As above - definitely.

tealeaves

According to uk unis, you become a graduand after you finish your final studies, And it's only after the graduation ceremony that the graduand becomes a graduate.
Best thing to do would be to email the uni to check the date that will be on the certificate.

freaky_stuff

i am glad ive asked now. When i graduated, i got my results in 2009, but the ceremony was not untill 2010. And all the stuff to buy e.g. hoodies said 2010 graduation - so i was basing it on that.

Right i will try and contact the uni. Ive tried googling it without success.

BTW thanks for the responses

tealeaves

Yes, one of the reasons for this is the fact that technically the uni can withhold your degree so you do not graduate unless you have paid all your fees etc, between the time of passing to the ceremony. So you graduate at time of graduation.

Pont

I received my degree results in July 2001. My graduation ceremony was in October 2001. My degree certificate states that I was awarded my degree in July 2001 - if I was engraving an item I would 'marry' the dates up anyway.

Just as a thought I recall that some people couldn't attend my graduation ceremony so does that mean they haven't graduated? Or can't embark on a post graduate course until after the ceremony? Or take up a degreed post? etc.