Document graduate left (8)
I believe the answer is:
passport
'document' is the definition.
(passport is a kind of document)
'graduate left' is the wordplay.
'graduate' becomes 'pass' (I've seen this before).
'left' becomes 'port' (left side of a ship - opposite of starboard**).
'pass'+'port'='PASSPORT'
(Other definitions for passport that I've seen before include "the key to success?" , "you might need Visa with this" , "Travel authorisation" , "one admits" , "Official document required for foreign travel" .)