Graduation season is in full swing across South Africa, with universities rolling out ceremonies between March and May 2026 as thousands of students prepare to graduate.
Wits University: Wits will host its graduation ceremonies from 18–27 March 2026, with 5,565 students set to graduate across multiple faculties. The Faculty of Health Sciences will celebrate later, while Sir John Wilfred Lazar will receive an honorary doctorate on 27 March.
University of Johannesburg (UJ): UJ’s graduation period runs from 2 March to 12 June 2026, with over 13,000 students expected. The university will also honour notable figures, including Monica Geingos, Francois Pienaar, Tryphosa Ramano, and Njabulo Ndebele.
University of Pretoria (UP): UP will hold its autumn graduations from 4–29 May 2026. Ceremonies will run throughout the month across faculties.
University of Cape Town (UCT): The Autumn 2026 graduation ceremonies will take place in the Sarah Baartman Hall for all faculties as follows:
| FACULTY | DATE AND TIME |
|---|---|
|
Commerce 1 Bachelor of Business Science, Bachelor of Business Science in Actuarial Science, Bachelor of Commerce in Actuarial Science and Postgraduate Diploma in Development Finance |
Saturday 28 March at 10h00 |
|
Humanities 1 Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art, Bachelor of Arts in Theatre & Performance and all Postgraduate Certificates |
Saturday 28 March at 14h00 |
|
Law All qualifications |
Saturday 28 March at 18h00 |
|
Health Sciences 1 All Bachelors |
Monday 30 March at 10h00 |
|
Humanities 2 All Honours, Masters and PhDs |
Monday 30 March at 14h00 |
|
Engineering & the Built Environment 1 Bachelor of Architectural Studies, BSc in Construction Studies, BSc in Geomatics, BSc in Property Studies and all Postgraduate Diplomas, Honours, Masters and PhDs |
Monday 30 March at 18h00 |
|
Commerce 2 All Advanced Diplomas, all Postgraduate Diplomas (excl Postgraduate Diploma in Development Finance) and Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Accounting |
Tuesday 31 March at 10h00 |
|
Science 1 Bachelor of Science surnames A-Q |
Tuesday 31 March at 14h00 |
|
Health Sciences 2 All Advanced Diplomas, Higher Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, Honours, Masters and PhDs |
Tuesday 31 March at 18h00 |
|
Humanities 3 Bachelor of Social Science surnames A-M, all Diplomas (excl Postgraduate Diplomas) and all Certificates (excl Postgraduate Certificates) |
Wednesday 1 April at 10h00 |
|
Engineering & the Built Environment 2 All Bachelor of Science in Engineering |
Wednesday 1 April at 14h00 |
|
Commerce 3 All Honours (excl Accounting), Masters and PhDs |
Wednesday 1 April at 18h00 |
|
Science 2 Bachelor of Science surnames R-Z and all Honours, Masters and PhDs |
Thursday 2 April at 10h00 |
|
Commerce 4 Bachelor of Commerce |
Thursday 2 April at 14h00 |
|
Humanities 4 Bachelor of Social Science surnames N-Z, Bachelor of Social Science in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Social Work and all Postgraduate Diplomas |
Thursday 2 April at 18h00 |
Rhodes University: Rhodes will hold six ceremonies from 25–27 March 2026. Students were required to confirm attendance by 6 March.
University of Limpopo: Graduation takes place from 7–15 April 2026 at Onkgopotse Tiro Hall. Students must meet all requirements, with support available for those needing assistance with gowns.
University of Mpumalanga (UMP): UMP will host a special ceremony on 5 May 2026 before its main sessions from 6–9 May. This marks its official graduation period.
University of the Free State (UFS): UFS ceremonies run from 10–18 April 2026 across two campuses. Qwaqwa hosts on 10–11 April, followed by Bloemfontein from 14–18 April.
