Student Experience
Graduation
Have a question about admissions, courses, fees, or campus life? We’re here to help. Fill in the form below and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible. Whether you’re a prospective student or a current enrollee, we welcome all enquiries and look forward to supporting your educational journey.
To begin your application process to study at Laidlaw simply create an account in our student portal and begin your application.
Please check with Student Support to confirm whether you have completed all qualification requirements or expect to complete them in the summer semester.
There is no graduation ceremony scheduled for December 2026. If you do not wish to attend a ceremony in Auckland in May 2027 or in Christchurch in June 2027, you can apply to graduate in Absentia in December 2026. You may choose to pick up your certificate from either the Henderson or Christchurch campus. Applications close on 10 November 2026.
Alternatively, we can post the certificate to you after 6 December 2026. Postage charges will apply.
Please note that Laidlaw College will be closed for the Christmas break from 23 December 2026 until 5 January 2027.
Email graduation@laidlaw.ac.nz or 09 8367826 for more information.
The Auckland graduation ceremony will be held on Saturday, 22 May 2027.
Applications for the Auckland Graduation ceremony will open on 25 January 2027.
Email graduation@laidlaw.ac.nz or call 09 8367826 for more information.
The Christchurch graduation ceremony will be held on Saturday, 19 June 2027.
Applications for the Christchurch Graduation ceremony will open on 25 January 2027.
Email chch@laidlaw.ac.nz or call 03 3544270 for more information.
Distance Learning graduands can apply to graduate at either the Auckland or Christchurch graduation ceremony. Those who cannot attend a ceremony can apply to graduate ‘in Absentia’ in December 2026, May 2027 or June 2027.
Applications for the May and June 2027 graduations will open on 25 January 2027.
Email graduation@laidlaw.ac.nz or call 09 8367826 for more information.
You must wear an academic dress to graduate.
You can hire your regalia from The Graduation Place, 17 George Street, Newmarket, Auckland – a link will be sent out 3-4 weeks before graduation. Please do not order from their website until a link has been sent to you.
If you are graduating with a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor of Theology (Honours), Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, or Master in Theology, and would like to wear the hood of your previous degree, you will need to organise this yourself through the institution that awarded that degree. Otherwise, you may choose to wear only the hood or stole for your Laidlaw qualification.
It should be noted that on this formal occasion, suitable attire should be worn underneath your regalia, with appropriate footwear. Please bear in mind that you will be accessing the stage via steps during the ceremony.
You can hold on to your Academic Hood for up to one week after Graduation. A bond of $100 (paid to Laidlaw) is required at the time of collection from the campus, which will be refunded in full when the hood is returned.
Your whānau and friends are welcome to attend. Tickets will not be required. You can download the invitation using the link provided.
The document sleeve you receive at graduation contains your Certificate and the official Academic Transcript. If you require additional copies of your Academic Transcript, a $20 fee applies.
Your digital award certificate and academic transcript will be available on My eQuals after Wednesday, 27 May 2026. You will receive two emails on your personal email address (not your Laidlaw student email) with instructions on how to access them.
If you are attending the graduation ceremony, then you are required to hire your own academic dress. Please check that you have completed all the requirements of your qualification. If you have completed, or expect to complete, your qualification in the current semester, you need to check with the Academic Registrar that you have met the requirements for your particular programme.
A Certificate gown must be hired and worn over formal dress. A hood is not worn.
A Diploma gown must be hired and worn over formal dress. Laidlaw College provides a hood. A mortar board is NOT worn.
A Bachelor’s gown and mortar board (trencher) must be hired and worn over formal dress. Laidlaw College provides a hood. GradCert, Grad Dip, PGCert and PGDip graduands may choose to wear the hood from their undergraduate degree.
A Master’s gown and mortar board (trencher) must be hired and worn over formal dress. Laidlaw College provides a hood.
If you have any questions, please contact graduation@laidlaw.ac.nz or call 09 836 7826.
