1. Overview 
   1. On successful completion of all programme requirements, settlement of all outstanding financial requirements and the return of all library books, a student is eligible to graduate. The student can thus attend a graduation ceremony where the qualification is officially conferred upon him/her.
   2. Students who are completing their research/dissertations must adhere to their individual dissertation submission deadline (as indicated on their supervisor allocation letter). Students will be notified of eligibility* for graduation in a particular ceremony upon the release of their dissertation assessment outcome by the Postgraduate Research Department. 
   3. Eligibility shall mean –
      a) Eligibility to graduate is dependent on factors, including, but not limited to:
      b) Presentation of a student’s dissertation outcome to the relevant academic/ research committees.
      c) Verification of outstanding coursework modules.
      d) Verification of outstanding student fees. 
   4. Inclusion in a particular graduation ceremony will be confirmed when a student receives the graduation invitation. 
   5. All students graduating from MANCOSA are liable for a fee. This amount does not include the cost of academic attire (hiring of gowns, etc.) or photographs. 
   6. A separate charge is levied per guest for a graduation ceremony. 
   7. Students graduating in absentia are liable for a fee. This includes the cost of postage/courier of the certificate to the student. 
   8. The student may not defer his/her graduation. 
   9. No advance confirmation of graduation will be provided to students. 
   10. The graduation ceremony venue, city and dates are determined by EXCO and will be communicated at least two months prior to the graduation ceremony. 
   11. Under no circumstances will a graduation certificate be issued prior to the graduation ceremony. 
   12. Graduation may take place biannually based on the number of students eligible to graduate per semester per region. 
   13. Graduation venues may rotate among certain regions based on the number of students eligible to graduate per semester. 
   14. Graduation venues will be communicated to the student within a reasonable time prior to graduation.
       
       
2. Graduation Certificate 
   1. Only one certificate will be issued. An official MANCOSA academic transcript and transcript supplement will also be provided.
      
      
3. The graduation certificate will contain: 
   1. The graduate’s full name, as recorded in the student record. 
   2. The type of award (certificate, diploma, degree).
   3. The classification of the award (if appropriate).  
      
      
4. The graduation certificate will have the MANCOSA seal affixed onto it.
   
   
5. Once a student receives his/her certificate it is not normally possible to replace the certificate.
   
   
6. If a graduation certificate is to be replaced, the already-issued certificate must be returned before the replacement certificate is issued.
   
   
7. A fee will be levied to replace a graduation certificate.
   
   
8. Name on certificate
   
   
9. The graduation certificate will be printed with the graduate’s name reflected as follows: 
   1. first name(s)/given name(s), followed by; 
   2. family name/surname.
      
      
10. MANCOSA will print the full name as recorded in the student record. The student must contact MANCOSA to make any changes to his/her name. It is the graduate’s responsibility to ensure that his/her name is correctly recorded in the student record.
     
11. The name in the student record should be the same as that on an officially recognised form of identification document such as: 
    1. passport, or 
    2. national identity document/card.
       
       
12. Using a different version of a graduate’s name may cause difficulties in the future in proving that the certificate does in fact belong to the graduate.
    
    
13. Changing the name on the certificate
    
    
14. Once a graduate receives his/her certificate it is not normally possible to amend the name. The only retrospective changes that can be made are where: 
    1. An administrative error has occurred or 
    2. Change is required under national legislation requirements on gender recognition.
       
       
15. Stolen or lost certificates will require an affidavit in order for the certificate to be re-issued. Damaged certificates are to be returned to MANCOSA in order for the re-printed certificate to be issued.
    
    
16. Graduation gowns, Gown Hire and Photograph 
    1. At the graduation ceremony, graduates must wear the gown and carry the hood appropriate to the degree they are to receive. 
    2. MANCOSA does not provide gowns and hoods. 
    3. Graduates can hire a gown and hood at their own cost from the robe maker appointed by MANCOSA. 
    4. Graduates are expected to hire their robes as soon as possible, and not later than two weeks before the ceremony 
    5. No photographs or videos may be taken during the graduation ceremony. Only official photographers appointed by MANCOSA are allowed to take photographs during the graduation ceremony. 
    6. Graduates who purchase official photographs and videos of the graduation ceremony do so at their own cost.
       
       
17. Ceremony tickets 
    1. Each graduate will receive tickets for two guests to attend the ceremony at a cost determined by MANCOSA per guest. A graduate may apply for extra tickets when completing the graduation registration form. 
    2. There is no guarantee that extra tickets will be available. 
    3. If you make arrangements on the assumption of obtaining extra tickets, you are doing so at your own risk. MANCOSA does not accept liability for any actual or alleged loss that may result in the event that extra tickets are unavailable.
        
18. Graduates and guests must
    1. produce their tickets to enter the graduation venues.
       
       
19. Children under the age of 12 years old will not be allowed to attend graduation ceremonies.
    
    
20. Qualifications conferred With Distinction, or Cum Laude:
    
    

    Programme	Requirements for obtaining a qualification With Distinction or Cum Laude
    Higher Certificate	shall be conferred With Distinction if the student obtained a final average mark of at least 75% for all the modules in the programme
    Advanced Certificate	shall be conferred With Distinction if the student obtained a final average mark of at least 75% for all the modules in the programme
    Advanced Diploma	shall be conferred With Distinction if the student obtained a final average mark of at least 75% for all the modules in the programme
    Bachelor’s Degree	shall be conferred Cum Laude if the student has obtained a final average mark of at least 75% for all the modules with an average mark of 75% for all the exit-level modules of the programme
    Bachelor’s Honours degree	shall be conferred Cum Laude if the student has obtained a final average mark of at least 75% for all the modules in the programme
    Postgraduate Certificate	shall be conferred With Distinction if the student has obtained a final average mark of at least 75% for all the modules in the programme
    Postgraduate Diploma	shall be conferred With Distinction if the student has obtained a final average mark of at least 75% for all the modules in the programme
    Master’s degree with coursework and dissertation	shall be conferred Cum Laude if the student has obtained a final average mark of at least 75% for all the modules with a final mark of at least 75% for the dissertation in the programme
    Master’s degree with dissertation only	shall be conferred Cum Laude if the student has obtained a final average mark of at least 75% for the dissertation in the programme

    
    
21. The student may not obtain a qualification with Distinction or Cum Laude unless he or she passes all modules in the programme during the first Assessment attempt without re-registration (this includes both assessments and examinations and/or summative assessments).
    
    
22. The student may not obtain a qualification with Distinction or Cum Laude if he/she has: 
    1. attempted any supplementary or Aegrotat examination or a resubmission of an assessment. 
    2. re-registered for any module in the programme. 
    3. has received credit accumulated transfer from another institution. 
    4. a deferral in the programme.
       
       
23. Award of qualification 
    1. 1 Upon the recommendation of the AVC and the approval of the Senate, a qualification will not be awarded or conferred until all: 
    2. Modules have been successfully completed and the programme requirements have been met. 
    3. All MANCOSA rules and programme requirements have been met. 
    4. Financial obligations due to MANCOSA have been settled. 
    5. A qualification may not be awarded for early exit from a programme.