SMU uses the cumulative grade point average (GPA) criteria to identify degree candidates with academic excellence. The following awards are given for bachelors’ degrees:
| CUMULATIVE GPA | AWARDS |
|---|---|
| 3.80+ | SUMMA CUM LAUDE |
| 3.60 - 3.79 | MAGNA CUM LAUDE |
| 3.40 - 3.59 | CUM LAUDE |
| 3.20 - 3.39 | HIGH MERIT |
| 3.00 - 3.19 | MERIT |
Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude are Latin awards adopted from the US system, and can be translated as with Highest Distinction, with High Distinction, and with Distinction respectively.
All cum laude awards are highly selective. They do not equate to the various classes of degree honours conferred by universities that follow the British system of academic honours. SMU bachelors’ degrees are four-year full-time programmes.
The full academic regalia consists of a traditional gown, a hood, and a mortarboard or a cap with tassel. The origin of academic dress dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries, when universities were taking form. The original dress of a scholar was the dress of a cleric. As buildings in those days were unheated, long gowns with hoods were worn for protection against the cold.
Gown
Black is the most common colour for academic gowns. The gown for the bachelor’s degrees has pointed sleeves, while the gown for master’s degrees has oblong sleeves. The doctoral gown is faced down the front with black or coloured velvet, three bars of the same colour across the sleeves, and typically has bell-shaped sleeves. All SMU gowns are designed to be worn closed.
SMU Ceremonial Gowns
For the Patron, Chancellor, Chairman, and Guest of Honour
SMU Official Gowns
For the President, Provost, Vice Provosts, and Deans
Mortarboard
The mortarboard is usually square with a tassel attached to the middle point of the top of the cap. The tassel is usually black but may be gold for the doctoral degree. At commencement, graduates traditionally wear the tassel on the right side, moving it to the left when their degrees are conferred. Faculty participating in academic ceremonies wear the tassel to the left throughout the proceedings.
Hoods
The colours of the hood signify the field of study.
- Bachelor of Science (Economics)
- Master of Science in Financial Economics
- Doctor of Philosophy in Economics
- Bachelor of Social Science
- Master of Sustainability
- Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
- Bachelor of Business Management
- Executive Master of Business Administration
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Science in Applied Finance
- Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Master of Science in Management
- Master of Science in Quantitative Finance
- Master of Science in Wealth Management
- Doctor of Business Administration
- Doctor of Business Administration (Innovation)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Business (Finance)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Business (General Management)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Business (Marketing)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Business (Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Business (Operations Management)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Business (Strategic Management and Organisation)
- Bachelor of Accountancy
- Master of Professional Accounting
- Master of Science in Accounting
- Master of Science in CFO Leadership
- Doctor of Business Administration (Accounting and Finance)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Accounting
- Bachelor of Science (Computer Science)
- Bachelor of Science (Computing and Law)
- Bachelor of Science (Information Systems)
- Master of Information Technology in Business
- Industry Practice Master of Digital Economy
- Doctor of Engineering
- Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science
- Doctor of Philosophy in Information Systems
- Bachelor of Law
- Juris Doctor
- Master of Laws
Co-curricular Cord
(only applicable to bachelor’s degree graduands)
The co-curricular cord for SMU bachelor’s degree graduands signifies their growth and achievements in co-curricular and out-of-classroom experiences (including community service, internship and in addition, global exposure) which are a hallmark of an SMU undergraduate education. All SMU bachelor’s degree graduands will don the SMU co-curricular cord as part of their graduation academic regalia. The SMU co-curricular cord is draped around the neck with the ends hanging down evenly on either side.
Gonfalons & Mace
Gonfalons
The school gonfalons carry the SMU crest in the centre against a white backdrop. The lower portion of each gonfalon has the school’s name fully spelt out in white against the designated colour of each school.
University Mace
The university mace represents the university’s power to grant degrees. Featuring a “retro-modernist” design, the mace incorporates the traditional metaphors of a mace with modern aesthetics suitable for the 21st century beginnings of a university.
The “SINGAPORE 2000” text at the top of the headset suggests hierarchy, with the country and state at the very pinnacle. The three sectional banners of the headset bear the symbol of the “Tangram Lion”, representing SMU. The three sectional banners also represent the values of SMU in innovative pedagogy, research, and educational excellence. The three jadeite inserts on the sides symbolise the staff and students of SMU, the community at large, and Singapore.
As a memento of your graduation milestone, the SMU Shop is offering a limited-edition Smoo Smoo graduation plushie and graduation mug. Each Smoo Smoo graduation plushie is priced at $38 and the graduation mug at $22.
Part of the sales proceeds will be donated to the SMU Bursary Fund.
Available exclusively at The SMU Shop store and online.
- The SMU Shop: Monday – Friday (except public holidays), 10.00am – 5.00pm
- The SMU Shop Online
For more information, please contact thesmushop@smu.edu.sg.
Professor Lily Kong,
President of SMU
Dear Class of 2026
Celebrating Your Journey
Congratulations on reaching this milestone! Today marks far more than the completion of a degree. It is a celebration of your perseverance, your growth, and the many quiet acts of courage that have brought you here. Each of you has travelled a distinctive path, shaped by aspirations, uncertainties, friendships, setbacks, discoveries, and moments of renewal.
At SMU, you have not merely acquired knowledge. You have learned to navigate complexity, to work across differences, and to support one another through seasons of challenge and change. These are achievements worthy of deep pride.
Entering a World in Transition
Many of you began your university journey during a period marked by global disruption and profound uncertainty. The COVID-19 pandemic altered the rhythms of everyday life and reshaped assumptions about work, society, and the future itself.
As you graduate, you step into a world that continues to evolve rapidly. Technological transformations are accelerating. Economic and geopolitical uncertainties persist. Communities across the world grapple with pressing social and environmental challenges. Yet, amidst these realities lie immense opportunities: to reimagine possibilities, to build bridges, and to contribute meaningfully to society.
Your years at SMU have prepared you not simply to respond to change, but to shape it with wisdom, imagination, and humanity.
Leading with Purpose
A university education is ultimately not only about professional preparation. It is also about becoming thoughtful citizens and compassionate leaders, individuals who understand that success gains its fullest meaning when it uplifts others.
The world will reward innovation and expertise, but it will also call upon your judgement, your integrity, and your empathy. What will distinguish you is not only what you know, but how you choose to engage with uncertainty, difference, and difficulty.
I hope you will move forward with both confidence and humility: confident in your abilities, yet humble enough to continue learning; ambitious in your aspirations, yet attentive to the needs of others.
Leadership, after all, is not measured only by influence or accomplishment. It is also reflected in generosity of spirit, courage in adversity, and the willingness to serve a purpose larger than oneself.
Remaining Connected
Graduation is not an ending, but the beginning of a lifelong relationship with SMU. Wherever your paths may lead, whether into your first professional role, a new venture, public service, further study, or an unexpected opportunity, you remain part of a vibrant and global SMU community.
Our alumni network, now nearly 50,000 strong, is built not only on professional connections, but on shared experiences and enduring relationships. I encourage you to stay engaged, to support one another generously, and in time, to pay forward the encouragement and guidance you yourselves have received.
SMU, too, remains committed to walking alongside you through initiatives such as our Lifelong Career Support, because learning and growth do not end at commencement.
Looking Ahead
As you step into this next chapter, I hope you will remain curious, and remain open. Dare to imagine possibilities beyond the familiar.
May you pursue excellence with integrity, embrace diversity with empathy, and seek not only personal success, but meaningful impact.
And amidst the demands of achievement, remember also to care for your well-being and for those around you. A fulfilling life is built not solely on accomplishment, but on purpose, relationships, balance, and joy.
With Gratitude
On behalf of the SMU community, thank you also for your Graduating Class Gift. Your generosity will help future students flourish and create opportunities for generations to come.
Congratulations once again, Class of 2026. Wherever life takes you, know that SMU will always be a place you can return to, a home that celebrates your accomplishments and believes in your potential.
With pride and warmest wishes,
Professor Lily Kong
President, Singapore Management University
The origin of the commencement ceremony can be traced to Medieval Europe as the ceremony of initiation for new university teachers. The first academic degree was conferred at the University of Bologna, Italy in 1160 AD.
In those days, students who completed their learning and thesis would be admitted to the Guild of Masters of Arts and granted licence to teach by the Pope and in the name of the Holy Trinity.
The practice of awarding degrees was subsequently adopted by many other European universities. In the US, most universities’ degree award procedures are modelled after the practice developed at the University of Paris in the late 12th or early 13th century.
The commencement ceremony is now a universal practice adopted by colleges and universities worldwide.
SMU YONG PUNG HOW SCHOOL OF LAW
55 Armenian Street
Singapore 179943
Nearest MRT Stations
CC2 Bras Basah MRT, Exit B
EW13NS25 City Hall MRT, Exit A
DT21 Bencoolen MRT, Exit C
Nearest Bus Stops
- SMU School of Accountancy (04121)
- Cathedral of the Good Shepherd (04151)
- After CHIJMES (04159)
- Stamford Court (04143)
Nearest Car Parks
- SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business,
50 Stamford Road, S178899 - Public Car Park (next to Peranakan Museum),
39 Armenian Street, S179941 - CHIJMES,
30 Victoria Street, S187996 - Fort Canning Park,
Car Park A, Canning Walk
Drop-off Point
Please enter via Canning Rise to drop off at the Yong Pung How School of Law building carpark.
Guests with mobility challenges arriving by taxi or car should alight at the roundabout at Yong Pung How School of Law (YPHSL) building, Basement 2 carpark.
Parking at the Yong Pung How School of Law is limited and subject to availability. Please click here for more information on SMU's carparks.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2026!
Please see below the schedule of ceremonies.
Links to the livestream of the ceremonies will be available via the above table.
*SCIS UG Ceremonies:
- SCIS UG 1: Information Systems 1 (Names starting from A to J), Computer Science
- SCIS UG 2: Information Systems 2 (Names starting from K to Z), Computing and Law, Software Engineering
^LKCSB UG Ceremonies:
- LKCSB UG 1: Names starting from A to I
- LKCSB UG 2: Names starting from J to N
- LKCSB UG 3: Names starting from O to Z
~LKCSB PG Ceremonies:
- LKCSB PG 1: MEI, MiM, MQF, MWM
- LKCSB PG 2: PhD, DBA, DInn, EMBA, MBA, MAF
Names are listed in the order in which they appear on your NRIC or SMU Student Card.
Eligible graduands who graduated in the following terms will receive an email from the Office of the Registrar.
Undergraduates:
- AY2024-25 Term 3B, AY2025-26 Terms 1 & 2: by mid June 2026
- AY2025-26 Term 3A: by end June 2026
Postgraduates:
- Graduating term from August 2025 – May 2026: by mid June 2026
- Graduating term from June 2026: by end June 2026
Please check your SMU email account regularly and bookmark this website for further updates.
Navigating Your Commencement Day
From arrival at the venue to stepping onto the stage, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know for a smooth and memorable Commencement experience.
Arrival
- Guests with mobility challenges arriving by taxi or car should alight at the roundabout at Yong Pung How School of Law (YPHSL) building, Basement 2 carpark. The venue is wheelchair-accessible. Please refer to the location map here.
- Only individuals with a valid admission ticket will be allowed to enter YPHSL.
- All individuals must present your admission ticket on-site for scanning. Please note that the QR code indicated on the ticket is unique to the registrant.
- Proceed to Basement 1. Ushers will guide guests to the hall, and graduands to the registration counters to collect your “call card”.
- Graduands must collect this card and put on the graduation gown before entering the hall.
- Children below 6 years old will not be allowed into the ceremonies. Proof of age may be required (e.g., birth certificate, passport, or other official ID).
- Doors will open 45 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony and will close 10 minutes before the ceremony starts.
Seating
- Ushers will direct graduates and guests to your respective seating areas.
- Guests will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservation of seats is not allowed.
- Guests are to remain in your seats and refrain from leaving the hall during the ceremony.
- Guests must not stand up to take photos during the ceremony. Official photographers have been appointed to take photos of the graduates onstage. The onstage photo for graduates is downloadable after the ceremony.
During the Ceremony
- Ushers will prompt graduands to line up at the side of the hall prior to the presentation of graduates and will cue graduands when it is your turn to go onstage. Please have your “call card” with you, as it is required for stage proceedings.
- Ushers will then prompt graduands to walk to the centre of the stage to receive your degree folder from the Dean or other senior faculty.
After the Ceremony
- Please follow our ushers’ instructions to exit the hall.
- There will be some booths and fringe activities at levels 2 and 3.
- Stage photographs of each graduate will be available for download here 96 hours after the ceremony at $7 per soft copy.
- Recordings of the ceremony will be available on SMU’s YouTube channel.
Graduation Documents & Digital Certification
Your degree certificate and transcript mark the completion of your SMU journey. Find out how to collect them, access digital copies, and view the official graduand listing.
Degree Certificate & Transcript
Check your SMU Email
Once your degree certificate and official transcript are ready for collection, you will be notified through your SMU email on the collection details. Graduands are advised to check your SMU email on a regular basis to not miss out any important announcements pertaining to graduation.
Clear any Outstanding Fees
Settle all outstanding debts, fees, and library loans owed to the University prior to this collection to prevent a finance/administrative “hold” over your degree certificate and official transcript.
Collect Degree Certificate and Transcript
The QR code and collection details will be included in the conferment email from the Registrar’s Office. If you are unable to collect the degree certificate and transcript personally, you will need to complete the online authorisation form provided in the conferment email at least one day before the proxy comes to our office to collect the documents. Please contact IT Help Centre at helpdesk@smu.edu.sg or 6828 0123 if you need to reset your SMU login password. The proxy must present his/her unique QR code and NRIC/FIN/passport/student card as proof of identity when collecting the documents.
SMU reserves the right not to issue the degree certificate and transcript to the proxy if the graduate did not authorise a proxy through the online authorisation form. SMU is committed to safeguard your data and we seek your understanding to follow the procedures if you are unable to collect the documents in person.
If you graduated between mid August 2025 to early June 2026, you may collect your degree certificate and transcript during the gown collection period. The certificate and transcript for students who graduated in end June 2026 (i.e., term 3A) will be ready in August 2026.
Additional copies of your official transcript can be purchased here.
The ceremonial folder is used for ceremonial/stage photo purposes and only given out during the Commencement ceremony. It is not meant as a folder for document storage as it is made of simple acrylic material and may cause discolouration or damage to your certificate in the long run.
OpenCerts Degree Certificate and Official Transcript
Besides getting the physical version of the official transcript and degree certificate, you will also receive the certified digital version of the degree certificate and official transcript. The digital documents are built on a blockchain-based platform known as OpenCerts where each digital document will be assigned a unique cryptographic signature that is permanent and immutable. Any signs of tampering will show up when the document fails to match against the blockchain data. This will make job applications easier for you and your potential employer.
You may find more information on the certified digital documents, when it will be issued and how you may retrieve them in the conferment email.
- Co-curricular Transcript (only applicable to bachelor’s degree graduands from intake 2021 onwards)
Bachelor’s degree graduands from intake 2021 onwards will receive the official co-curricular transcript. This transcript documents your growth and achievements in co-curricular and beyond-the-classroom experiences (including community service and internship) which are a hallmark of an SMU undergraduate education. The co-curricular transcript will be issued in both physical and certified digital formats.
Graduand Listing
In line with SMU’s sustainability drive, the Graduand Listings and Donor Acknowledgement for the Class of 2026 will be available solely in an electronic format for the duration of Commencement.
1. Commencement Registration
Eligible graduands will receive an email from the Registrar’s Office in late June or early July confirming their eligibility. Follow the instructions in the email to register your attendance.
Undergraduates who graduated in AY2024-25 Term 3B, AY2025-26 Terms 1, 2, and 3A, and postgraduates who graduated between August 2025 and June 2026 are eligible.
2. Academic Gown and Attire
Yes, graduands must wear the official SMU academic gown to participate in the ceremony. For more details, please refer to this link.
Graduands can choose to purchase or rent the gown from the official vendor, NW Services Pte Ltd. Eligible graduands will receive an activation email from the vendor to their SMU email address with further instructions. For more details, please refer to this link.
Graduands should wear a collared long-sleeve shirt with a tie, pants, and dress shoes (for men), or a collared long-sleeve shirt or blouse with a skirt or pants and court shoes (for women). Guests are encouraged to dress in business wear, smart casual attire, or traditional dress. Casual or inappropriate attire such as singlets, shorts, bermudas, slippers, flip-flops, or clothing with offensive words or images should be avoided. For more details, please refer to this link.
3. Guests and Admission
Each graduand is entitled to bring two guests. Additional admission passes can be requested during registration and will be evaluated based on venue capacity. For more details, please refer to this link.
Yes, graduands may apply for up to two additional admission passes during registration. Graduands with double degrees who choose to attend both ceremonies may apply for up to two additional admission passes per ceremony. Requests will be considered based on availability and at the discretion of the school. If your request is successful, you will be notified via email.
Children below 6 years old will not be allowed into the ceremonies. Proof of age may be required (e.g., birth certificate, passport, or other official ID).
4. Ceremony Details
The ceremony takes place at the Yong Pung How School of Law, located at 55 Armenian Street, Singapore 179943. Please refer to the location map at this link.
Doors open 45 minutes before the ceremony starts and close 10 minutes prior. It’s advisable to arrive early to allow time for registration and seating. Please note that seats for guests in the hall are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
5. Degree Certificate and Transcript
Graduates will be notified via their SMU email once the documents are ready for collection. Ensure all outstanding fees are settled prior to collection. For more details, please refer to this link.
Yes, you can authorise a proxy by completing the online authorisation form provided in the conferment email at least one day before collection. For more details, please refer to this link.
6. Photography and Memorabilia
Yes, official photographers will capture each graduand’s moment on stage. Complimentary on-stage photos will be available for download at this link approximately 10 days after the ceremony.
Information on memorabilia can be found at this link.
7. Transportation and Parking
The closest MRT stations are Bras Basah (CC2), City Hall (EW13/NS25), and Bencoolen (DT21). For more details, please refer to this link.
Parking at the Yong Pung How School of Law is limited and subject to availability. Alternative parking options are available nearby, including SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business and public car parks nearby. For more details, please refer to this link.