The word "graduand" is spelled with a "u" and not an "e" because it is derived from the Latin word "gradus" meaning "degree". The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /ˈɡrædʒ.u.ənd/, where the first syllable is pronounced with a soft "g" sound, the second syllable with a short "a" sound, and the third syllable with a schwa sound. The "-uand" ending is pronounced with a long "u" sound followed by a schwa sound. "Graduand" is used to refer to a person who is about to receive an academic degree.
A graduand is an individual who is about to receive an academic degree or diploma from an educational institution but has not yet completed the final requirements for graduation. The term "graduand" is commonly used in countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
A graduand can be described as a student who has successfully completed all the necessary courses and academic requirements to obtain a degree or diploma but has not yet officially graduated. This usually happens when the graduation ceremony has not yet taken place, or the final examination, thesis, or dissertation has not been assessed or approved.
During this transitional period, the individual is referred to as a graduand, signifying their imminent graduation. Once all the prerequisites are fulfilled and officially confirmed, the graduand becomes a graduate, having successfully concluded their academic program.
The term "graduand" is distinctive in its emphasis on the transitional stage—a student who has fulfilled the necessary criteria and is on the brink of completing their studies, yet has not fully attained the official status of a graduate. It is a precise term that differentiates between those who have already graduated and those who are soon to do so, encompassing the anticipation and excitement experienced by students eagerly awaiting their formal recognition of achievement.
The word "graduand" is derived from the verb "graduate". The Latin term "gradus" means "step, grade" which is the root of "graduate". The suffix "-and" is taken from the Latin gerundive suffix "-andus", which indicates the necessity or duty to perform the action of the verb. Therefore, a "graduand" is someone who is about to perform or undergo the action of graduating.