Graduation day: Before your ceremony
Start your day at College Lane Campus
This is your opportunity to show friends and family where you studied, explore the campus, and celebrate your achievement with peers.
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Collect your tickets
Collect your tickets from The Forum foyer on College Lane.
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Collect your robes
Next, collect your graduate robes from The Forum.
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Have your photos taken
Go to The Forum to have your photos taken for free. If you'd like to purchase them, you can choose from a selection of Graduation photopacks.
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Enjoy your drinks reception
Celebrate at your Graduation Drinks Reception before or after your ceremony. Redeem your voucher, celebrate with your guests, and enjoy fun photo moments with your classmates.
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Graduation merchandise
Visit the official Graduation Merchandise shop to remember your time at Herts. Save on Graduation Merchandise with code 26GRADUATE.
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Food and drink
Enjoy food and drinks from vans at Union Square, plus Starbucks, Premier Shop and Café Rore.
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Livestream available
Guests without a ceremony ticket can stay at College Lane and watch the livestream.
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Travel to St Albans
Take the free shuttle from College Lane to St Albans Cathedral and back, or travel independently.
Important pre-ceremony information
Enjoy pre-ceremony refreshments and time with your guests at College Lane. Arrive early to make the most of your day, and check our helpful timings guide for arrival times, ticket collection, and travel to St Albans Cathedral.
See information about how to get to College Lane: by road, by bus, by train, by taxi.
If you arrive to College Lane by car, please park in the Multi Storey Car Park. Parking is free in this car park only.
No, guests do not need to go to College Lane but are welcome. At College Lane you will collect all your allocated tickets, and you must give your guests their tickets before they enter St Albans Cathedral. Guests without a ticket can stay at College Lane to watch the livestream.
You must bring your confirmation email and photo ID to collect your tickets.
Graduates may choose to wear academic dress, which includes a gown, hood, and cap appropriate to their qualification. Whether or not you hire a gown, you should wear business smart or smart casual clothing suitable for the occasion. Anyone not dressed appropriately may be refused entry. Wear suitable footwear, as some walking routes on the day may be uneven or slippery.
Guests who do not have tickets and cannot enter the Cathedral for the ceremony can stay on College Lane to watch the livestream.
On College Lane, you’ll find a variety of refreshments. The Forum will have several options open, including the retail shop, Starbucks and Subway. In the afternoons, food trucks will also be available on Union Square. You can find opening hours on our timings for the day page.
On the day of your Graduation, join us in The Loft and Seventy7 for a day full of celebration and memories. Enjoy refreshments, snap unforgettable moments with our 360° camera, and celebrate your big achievement with friends and family before or after your ceremony.
Opening times for the Graduation reception can be found on our timings for the day page.
If you are unable to attend your graduation ceremony, please email the Awards Office to let us know. If you have registered and purchased guest tickets, cancelling before the registration deadline allows us to process a refund. Unfortunately, cancellations after the deadline cannot be refunded.
If this is your first invitation and you meet eligibility criteria, you may defer your invitation to the next ceremony period by emailing the Awards Office before the deferral deadline. You’ll receive a confirmation email once your deferral is successful. Please note, deferrals cannot be accepted if you have an outstanding academic debt.
Whether you're looking for a keepsake to remember your time at Herts or a gift to mark your achievement, our official Herts merchandise collection has something for every graduate. From hoodies and varsity jackets to mugs, notebooks and our much-loved Graduation Sparkie Bear, take home a piece of your University journey.
Graduate early bird offer
As a congratulations on your graduation, we're offering 7.5% off all online merchandise orders.
Use discount code:
26GRADUATE
Offer ends:
Monday 31 August
This early bird offer is available on online orders only and cannot be redeemed at our graduation pop-up shop.
Ready to shop? Visit the Herts merchandise online store.
Photography will take place in The Forum on the College Lane Campus on the day of your ceremony. Please make sure you leave plenty of time to have photos taken so you can enjoy all the activities on the campus before travelling to St Albans Cathedral for your ceremony.
Having your photo taken is free, and you can choose to purchase your photos on the day of your ceremony.
Photographs, including your on-stage photograph, will also be available to view and purchase after your ceremony from H Tempest Photography. Photopack prices start from £17.50.
You cannot pre-order photos, but you can view photopack options prior to your ceremony from Tempest Photography. You can then order them either in person on the day or online.
Find your way around College Lane
- Ticket collection
- Graduate robe collection
- Professional photography
- Graduation drinks reception
- Official Graduation Merchandise kiosk
- Food and drink options
- Free shuttle bus to St Albans Cathedral
Contact us
If you can't find the answer to your question on our website, please contact us at: