"I'm really excited,'' Mrs Scandrett said.
She graduated from the university with a master of health sciences in bioethics at a 1pm ceremony at the Dunedin Town Hall on Saturday, and Mr Kiselev graduated with a postgraduate diploma in science, software engineering, at a ceremony at 4pm.
Her daughter Yulia Kiseleva has nearly finished a master of science in ecology, but was not able to complete it in time to graduate with the rest of the family.
"We help each other,'' Mr Kiselev added.
All three family members were born in Russia, and became New Zealand citizens at a ceremony in Dunedin in 2010.
They had lived close to Moscow before moving to Dunedin, after Mrs Scandrett married Stephen Scandrett, a Dunedin engineer, in Moscow.
They had previously been pen pals, writing letters to each other across the globe.
And although mother and son graduated at separate ceremonies on Saturday, the family was reunited at a restaurant celebration that night.
"We had a wonderful time,'' Mrs Scandrett said.
All three family members think highly of Otago University, and found staff friendly and helpful.
They have all completed at least one previous Otago qualification.
They were studying different subjects, but kept a close eye on each other's progress, and helped when they could.
A mutual sense of humour helped, and they joked that some gentle rivalries spurred them on.
Mr Kiselev, who has two previous Otago qualifications, said he was also excited.
"It's been a long time and I'm finally getting my degree.''