Michael Boyes died suddenly in February. His family honoured his last wishes by donating his organs to help seven strangers.

For graduation Jessica Boyes hired a gown for herself, and a hood for her older brother.

Boyes will graduate with her blue hood on Wednesday. A day later, her brother's rose-pink hood will be carried over her arm as she receives the degree he will never collect.

Michael Boyes, 25, died unexpectedly in February. He collapsed without warning on Cuba St after suffering a brain bleed.

CAMERON BURNELL/FAIRFAX NZ Jessica Boyes (right), with her parents Craig and Isabel Boyes. Jessica will take the place of her brother Michael at his university graduation on Thursday after Michael's unexpected death in February.

But by donating most of his organs, from his eyes to his heart, he went on to change the lives of seven people, including a young boy who has one of his kidneys, and an Australian man who received his liver.

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Now, with a little help from his family, Boyes will graduate from Victoria University with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in art history, which he completed before he died.

SUPPLIED Michael Boyes changed the lives of seven people by donating his organs.

His father Craig Boyes said the university wrote to him after his son's death, saying he could be capped posthumously.

The family agreed to the idea - Michael's graduation will come as sister Amy Boyes receives her Master of Laws, and Jessica Boyes gets her Honours in psychology.

Jessica Boyes now has two hoods: one empire blue for herself, and one rose pink for her brother.

She will carry it up on to the graduation stage, in his place, for his graduation.

Michael Boyes loved all things creative, from his art history studies, to his work as a guide at Te Papa, his dad said.

Even the guide job, a foothold for a career at the museum, was enjoyable for the young man.

"He loved the thought of being able to go and talk to people about the art on the walls. He could tell them so much, about this piece, or that piece."

Jessica Boyes said she and her brother would often catch up over a coffee if they bumped into each other on campus.

It was hard to explain how it would feel, walking on stage instead of her brother, but the important thing was that he would get his degree, she said.

"That was a really big thing. Because it was something he worked so hard with."

For Craig Boyes even the good things, like his son's graduation, come with sadness.

It is yet another thread from his son's life that remains after he has gone.

"You don't really have that much control over what sets you off. But you have a little cry, then you're fine afterwards and just carry on."

GRADUATION WEEK

More than 3000 people will celebrate the completion of their studies at Victoria University this week.

A total of 2627 qualifications will be awarded to 2353 students at six ceremonies, in addition to the 862 graduates who chose to receive their qualifications without attending a ceremony.