Morning ceremony

Registration for graduates will open from 08:00 to 09:15 in Sports Hall 1 (Sports Centre). You will be issued with your graduate ticket which will grant you entry to your ceremony and the graduation reception afterwards.

If you have not registered and taken your seat 30 minutes before the commencement of the ceremony, you will not be able to enter the National Tennis Centre and you will not be able to participate at your ceremony.

If you have ordered your academic dress from Ede & Ravenscroft then you can collect it from 08:00 in Sports Hall 1. 

You must ensure you sit in the row and seat detailed on the ticket that you were issued at the Graduation Registration Desk. This is so you are called up on stage in the right order. You must be seated by 09:30. 

Registration for guests will open from 08:00 in the Sports Centre Foyer. Whilst you are completing your registration process and collecting your academic dress, please ask your guests to collect their tickets. To collect guest tickets, your guests will be required to provide your full name. Your guests will also have the opportunity to purchase refreshments from the Nourish café area.

Guests must be seated in the National Tennis Centre by 09:30. Guest seats in the ceremony are not individually reserved and so those arriving earlier will have a greater choice available.

Your ceremony will commence at 10:00 and will last approximately 90 minutes.

Graduation ceremonies are a formal, ceremonial occasion and we ask that graduands and their guests dress formally for the occasion. Graduands and guests are welcome to wear national, traditional or military dress if relevant - this always looks fantastic.

For graduands, a buttoned shirt or blouse is useful for securing their gown's hood.

You will be led by one of our marshals in the correct presentation order to the stage. Once on stage, your name will be announced and you will be directed to cross the stage, where your award will be acknowledged by doffing you lightly on the head. You will then shake hands with the Principal and the Chancellor. If you do not wish to shake hands with the Principal or the Chancellor place your right hand across your chest when approaching them.

All graduates will process out of the ceremony via the back doors. We recommend that you pre-arrange a meeting point with your guests, re-joining them somewhere en route to the graduation reception.

After the ceremony concludes please make your way to Campus Central and Queen’s Court for the reception where you can celebrate with family, classmates and friends – please retain your graduation ticket as you can exchange this for a celebratory drink and sweet canapes.

Loved ones can't join you on the day?  Don't worry, they can still share this moment by watching the ceremony live off campus.

Alternatively, friends and family may view the ceremony within the Atrium in Campus Central on the day. There is no booking requirement for this option. They can also join you at the reception, they don’t require a ticket and can purchase a drink at one of our bars.

The official photography service is located in Campus Central, level 3 and the studio will run throughout the day from 08:00 until 18:00. If there is time you can get your photos taken before your ceremony, but please make sure you are seated in the National Tennis Centre by 09:30.   

Assistance is available on campus as necessary to access graduation registration, the ceremony, the photography studio and the reception. There are designated areas in the National Tennis Centre for guests with accessible requirements.