In-person Congregation FAQ
1. Do I have to register for the Congregation ceremony?
Yes. Graduands must register themselves and their guests through the online registration system. Please ensure all information provided is accurate, as it will be used for verification purposes. No modifications will be accepted once the registration period has closed.
Registration for the 215th Congregation in 2025 will tentatively open from Friday, October 3, 2025, to Sunday, October 19, 2025, via the Faculty Congregation website: https://engg.hku.hk/Congregation/. Eligible graduands will receive an email invitation at their HKU Connect email address (@connect.hku.hk) in early October. Late registration will not be accepted.
2. How many guest tickets can I request?
Each graduand attending in person may request up to two guest tickets. No additional tickets will be provided under any circumstances.
3. Are guests seated inside the Grand Hall with graduands?
In view of number of graduands and the limited capacity at the Grand Hall, seats in the Grand Hall will be allocated to graduands first. It is expected that most guests will be seated in live broadcast venues near the Grand Hall. Priority for seating in the Grand Hall is based on the graduand’s registration date and time. The assigned seating venue will be shown on guest admission tickets.
4. When and how will I receive the admission ticket?
A confirmation email with the event admission QR codes for both graduands and guests will be sent to those successfully registered and eligible to graduate, approximately two weeks after registration closes. Each graduand will be allocated a seat number, which will be indicated on the admission ticket.
Graduands and guests must present the event admission QR code for registration at the designated area near the Grand Hall before entering.
5. Can I loan the Academic Dress on Congregation Day?
No. Academic dress (cap, hood, and gown) must be loaned prior to the ceremony day. There will be no loan service at the venue. For more details, visit the “Academic Dress” page on the HKU Congregation website.
Bachelor’s Degrees
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Master’s Degrees
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Deep blue with yellow silk edge lining,
3.5 cm wide
(Victoria Uniform's code: 85f)
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Deep blue with yellow silk lining throughout, the lining being turned over to the depth of 1 cm
(Victoria Uniform's code: 86f)
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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
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Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
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Cap: Black velvet cap, bonnet-shaped and soft, with a hard round brim and a narrow cord of gold at the junction of crown and brim
Gown: A robe of maroon panama with facings of deep blue (Victoria Uniform's code: PG1)
Hood: Maroon panama with deep blue silk lining throughout (Victoria Uniform's code: 25)
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Cap: College cap, 'mortar-board' pattern
Gown: A robe of black stuff, Oxford MA pattern (Victoria Uniform's code: MG3)
Hood: Deep blue with maroon silk lining throughout, the lining being turned over to the depth of 1 cm (Victoria Uniform's code: 86k)
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6. What is the suggested attire for graduands at the ceremony?
Graduands must strictly observe the dress code and wear the full academic dress.
Male: Dark suit with white shirt and neck tie/bow tie; sport shoes should be avoided.
Female: Dark skirt or pants with a white shirt or blouse with buttons; mini skirts, sport shoes, and extremely high heels should be avoided.
The loop at the front tip of the hood should be attached to a shirt/blouse button. The use of safety pins or adhesive tape should be avoided.
Those without proper attire or the full set of academic dress will not be allowed to enter or present on stage. For details, please refer to the video on the “Suggested Attire” page of the HKU Congregation website.
7. When should I arrive at the Congregation venue?
Graduands must attend a briefing and rehearsal 30 minutes before the scheduled ceremony time (as indicated on your ticket). Please arrive with:
- Admission QR Code
- Full academic dress (gown, hood, cap)
You will be given a QR code card with your name and programme, which need to be presented when graduand go on stage.
8. What will I do during the ceremony?
All graduands will be presented on stage in a programme-specific sequence. Late arrivals, after their programme has been presented, will not be allowed on stage.
Please review the Important Notes attached to your ticket email, which detail the ceremonial arrangements. You are required to attend the rehearsal led by the Stage Marshalling Officer, 30 minutes before the ceremony.
9. Will children be allowed to enter the venue? Do they need tickets?
Children under 6 are not allowed in the venue. All guests, including children aged 6 and above, must have an admission ticket.
10. Will I receive my certificate during the ceremony?
No. Certificates will be available for collection after the ceremony. Details about certificate collection for the Class of 2025 will be announced on the “Certificate” page of the HKU Congregation website. For enquiries, contact the Academic Services Office at asoffice@hku.hk.
11. Do my family and I need to apply for a visit visa?
You may need a visit visa to enter Hong Kong for the ceremony. The Faculty’s invitation email may be useful for visa application.
12. If I cannot attend in person, is a live broadcast available?
Yes. All in-person Congregation sessions will be live-streamed online. Live stream links will be announced on the Faculty website closer to the event.
13. Are official photography services available?
Yes. Official photographers will take individual photos, which will be available for download about a month after the ceremony. Please stay tuned to Faculty emails for download links.
For general information about the Congregation, please visit https://www4.hku.hk/congreg/