You might hear two terms thrown around quite often: graduate and graduand. Although they sound similar and are related, they have distinct meanings. Knowing the difference between these two terms can help you figure out where a student is in their academic journey.
What is a Graduand?
A graduand is a student who has completed all their classes and met all the requirements for their degree. However, they have not yet received their certificate or transcript, nor have they attended the graduation ceremony.
A “graduand” is someone who is about to become a degree-holder after being a student.
They completed their exams, turned in all assignments, and now they are just waiting for their final grades and graduation ceremony.
Most will have the status ‘graduand’ from May after their final exam/assignment and their graduation in July-Sept. Although this depends, as some graduate in the winter.
Key Points about Graduands:
- They have completed all academic requirements for their degree.
- They have not yet participated in the official graduation ceremony.
- They are often eagerly awaiting their final degree grade and their graduation ceremony.
What is a Graduate?
A graduate is someone who has met the requirements of their degree program and received their final transcript. Their graduation ceremony will have already passed. They then earn the title of graduate. This term signifies that they have fully transitioned from being a student to a degree-holder.
Key Points about Graduates:
- They have completed all the academic requirements of their degree program.
- They may have participated in the formal graduation ceremony (not everyone attends their ceremony.
- They earned their degree and can now use titles like Bachelor of Arts or Master of Science. You can now call them Bachelor of Arts or Master of Science.
The Journey from Graduand to Graduate
Going from student to graduate is a big step marked by a special event called a graduation ceremony. This event, full of tradition, honours students for their effort and commitment in a symbolic ceremony. It typically includes:
- Procession: Graduands walk together to the ceremony venue wearing academic regalia, along with family and friends.
- Conferral of Degrees: The institution’s president or chancellor formally confers the degrees indicating the completion of all requirements.
- Getting Diplomas: Graduands walk across the stage usually with a handshake or kind words from faculty or staff.
- At graduation ceremonies, students move the tassel on their cap to the other side to show they are now graduates.
Importance of the Graduation Ceremony
The graduation ceremony holds both symbolic and practical importance. Symbolically, it marks the culmination of years of hard work, study, and perseverance. It is a public acknowledgement of the graduand’s achievements and a celebration shared with peers, family, and educators.
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Conclusion: Graduand vs Graduate
In short:
- graduand meaning: a person who is about to receive an academic degree.
- graduate meaning: a person who has successfully completed a course of study or training, especially a person who has been awarded an undergraduate or first academic degree.
A graduand has finished all academic requirements but is waiting for their transcripts and graduation ceremony. A graduate has finished their academic requirements, received their final classification and attended the graduation ceremony.
Knowing the difference helps us understand the various parts of a student’s journey and why graduation is important.
Whether you are a student looking forward to your own commencement or a family member supporting a loved one, knowing these terms enriches the experience and highlights the achievements being celebrated.
Featured image by Olia Danilevich from Pexels
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