What to do on the day
Location of venues
See Getting there.What to wear
Wear something smart, preferably with a button on the front of your top to attach the robe hood.What to bring
- your photo ID for ticket collection
- your confirmation page
- the map of different locations
- your camera
- spare pins to secure your robe and hairgrips for your hat
Plan your arrival
- Plan for more time that you think! You need to arrive at the park and ride at least 2 hours before your ceremony commences
- If you are late and miss your ceremony you will not be permitted to attend another one thereafter
- If driving you should park in the designated park and ride area where a shuttle bus service will take you to the pre-ceremony location.
Ticket collection, robe hire and photos
- From the park and ride you will be taken to the pre-Ceremony venue to collect your/your guests tickets.
- Pick up your pre-ordered robe set.
- You then have the opportunity to have professional photos taken with your guests.
- Keep your guest tickets safe. Without them your guests will not be permitted entry to the ceremony venue.
Guests
- Anyone wishing to enter the ceremony must have a ticket. This includes children of any age although, as the ceremonies are formal in nature, we do not recommend they are suitable for those under the age of 7. Only babes in arms (up to 1 year) will be allowed entry without a ticket. To avoid disturbing the enjoyment of others we would request that a responsible adult sits with children/babies near an exit as they easily become restless and bored. The University reserves the right to ask your guests to take any child/baby out of the ceremony venue for a short time so that the event can continue without disruption.
- We do not have an overflow area for guests to watch the ceremony who do not have a ticket. To avoid disappointment please do not bring non-ticket holders.
The ceremony
The ceremony venue doors open 1 hour before the research and undergraduate awards ceremonies and 40 minutes before the postgraduate ceremonies commence.Every person wishing to gain entry to the ceremony must be holding their own ticket. Speak with an usher on the door before you enter if you have your guests’ tickets as they will not be permitted entry without them.
If you have not already advised us that you do not wish to shake hands with the Presiding Officer, please inform an usher immediately.
You must take a pre-assigned seat. Your guests have unallocated seating. You are not seated with your guests. If you have a young child they cannot sit with you at any time once you are in the ceremony venue so please leave them under the care of your other (adult) guest.
A register of attendance will take place 30 minutes before the ceremony commences. If you are absent at this time, your name will be crossed off the list and you will be assumed absent.
All mobile phones and other electrical devices must be switch off (not to silent as this interferes with the equipment used to record the ceremonies).
At the beginning of the ceremony, everyone will be asked to stand for the entry of the academic procession.
There will be an opening address by the Presiding Officer and, at some ceremonies, a presentation of a Fellowship or Honorary Degree.
The presentation of degrees and diplomas will then commence. Awards are presented in hierarchical order within department. Students are presented in alphabetical order. Classifications are not read out other than distinctions and first class honours.
Your name will be read out and you will walk across the stage to shake hands with the Presiding Officer. If you prefer not to shake hands (e.g. due to your religion) it is essential that you inform us preferably prior to your ceremony (see contact us for details) or an usher immediately upon entry to the ceremony venue.
Remember to smile as your photo will be taken at this point! You will be given your certificate and will return to your seat.
All students are filmed as they walk across the stage and appear in a video-streamed broadcast produced shortly after the ceremony ends.
Please respect your fellow graduates by remaining silent throughout the ceremony and applaud each student as they walk across the stage.
A closing address will be given by a senior member of the University.
A vote of thanks will be given by a selected student.
You are asked to stand for the exit of the Academic Procession. All graduates and diplomates will be processed out directly behind them so you should pre-arrange a meeting point with your guests somewhere outside. This marks the end of the ceremony.
After the ceremony
You should return with your guests to the post-ceremony venue to return your hired robe, visit the photo studios and University stands and have some light refreshments. You may then depart to continue your celebrations.
Shortly following the ceremony, it will be broadcast via video streaming so your friends and family can watch the occasion too.