China Event FAQs

Graduation FAQs

What can I expect at a China graduation celebration? 

The graduation celebration event offers you, and up to four guests to attend a ceremony in either Shanghai or Beijing. Your booking includes your gown and hat (which will be yours to keep), light refreshments for you and your guests, and a chance to enjoy photo opportunities at the venue. The graduation will consist of a formal ceremony, where your name will be announced and you’ll cross the stage to celebrate your academic achievements. Our professional photographers will capture your photos at the event, and our ceremony livestream will enable additional guests to view your graduation as you cross the stage.

We anticipate that the graduation ceremonies will last approximately one hour. We ask that you arrive for 1pm, to provide sufficient time for registration, gown and hat collection and photography prior to the ceremony. 

Who is eligible to attend these events?

To ensure a safe, comfortable, and high-quality experience for attendees, we have initially invited our most recent graduates from 2015-2025 cohorts. As we develop plans for future events, we will be considering if this can be extended to additional cohorts. 

Our alumni events in Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu are open to all alumni, and these offer fantastic opportunities to reconnect and network with fellow University of Sheffield alumni, and we hope to welcome many of you at these events.

Where will these events take place?

Both our events in Shanghai and Beijing will be located in prestigious venues, in the heart of each city. 

Full location information will be provided following your booking. 

What is the dress code for graduation? 

Graduates - You should wear something you feel comfortable in. Most people choose smart clothing that reflects that this is a special occasion.

Guests - There is no dress code for guests attending graduation ceremonies, but as a guideline, smart clothing that reflects that this is a special occasion.

How do I order, and collect my gown?

You can order your graduation gown, and select the size via the booking form. Gown sizes are detailed below, to allow you to order the correct size. 

Size of robe	Height (cm)
XS	147 - 154
S	155 - 162
M	163 - 170
L	171 - 178
XL	179 - 186

Hats will also be provided for each graduate - no specific size requirements are needed for hats. 

Gowns will be available to collect at the venue after you register.

Will I receive my certificate at my ceremony?

You will not receive your certificate at the ceremony, you should have previously received this. If you have not received your certificate please contact the Graduation Team.

Where can guests without tickets view my ceremony?

The graduation ceremonies will be filmed and live streamed to ensure we capture this special moment for you to share with friends and family. We will share details with you ahead of time, so additional guests can join in the celebration remotely.

Have any other questions?

Please get in touch with us at alumni@sheffield.ac.uk.

Shanghai Alumni Reception FAQs

What can I expect from the Alumni Reception and how can I book my place?

This reception is open to all alumni and you will get the chance to meet, network and celebrate with your fellow alumni living and working in Shanghai and the surrounding area. There will be photo opportunities, an employer panel discussion and a quiz. Refreshments will be provided for you and your guest. 

Registration will take place from 4.30pm, with the event beginning at 5.30pm. We anticipate the event to end at 8pm. 

You should have received an email invitation with a booking link, if you haven’t and would like to book your place, please email alumni@sheffield.ac.uk.

Where will the event take place?

The event will take place in Pudong New District, the exact location will be on your booking confirmation email. 

Parking is available at the venue, at a rate of RMB 15 per hour, capped at the daily maximum charge for an 8 hour stay. 

There will be a cloakroom available for you to store any coats. 

Do I need to bring any identification (Photo ID/passport) to enter the event?

Passports or ID cards are not required to access the venue or event. 

I’ve heard there’s a graduation ceremony before the reception, can I attend both events?

The graduation ceremony is for alumni that graduated in the classes 2015-2025. The graduation will be an official ceremony with the chance to cross the stage to celebrate your academic achievements. If you have any questions about attending the graduation or if you’re eligible please email alumni@sheffield.ac.uk.

Can I bring a guest to the alumni reception?

Guests are more than welcome to join us at the alumni reception. if you would like to bring a guest, please email their full name to alumni@sheffield.ac.uk, along with your name and which alumni reception you are attending. 

I have another question about the event, who do I contact?

Please get in touch with the alumni relations team at alumni@sheffield.ac.uk. 

Beijing Alumni Reception FAQs

What can I expect from the Alumni Reception and how can I book my place?

This reception is open to all alumni and you will get the chance to meet, network and celebrate with your fellow alumni living and working in Beijing and the surrounding area. There will be photo opportunities, an employer panel discussion and a quiz. Refreshments will be provided for you and your guest. 

Registration will take place from 4.30pm, with the event beginning at 5.30pm. We anticipate the event to end at 8pm. 

You should have received an email invitation with a booking link, if you haven’t and would like to book your place, please email alumni@sheffield.ac.uk.

Where will the event take place?

The event will take place in Chaoyang District, the exact location will be on your booking confirmation email. 

Parking is available at the venue, you can park at Topwin Center (通盈中心) underground parking lot. It’s connected to the hotel and has an accessible pathway available. The parking fee is RMB10 per hour.

There will be a cloakroom available for you to store any coats. 

Do I need to bring any identification (Photo ID/passport) to enter the event?

Passports or ID cards are not required to access the venue or event.

I’ve heard there’s a graduation ceremony before the reception, can I attend both events?

The graduation ceremony is for alumni that graduated in the classes 2015-2025. The graduation will be an official ceremony with the chance to cross the stage to celebrate your academic achievements. If you have any questions about attending the graduation or if you’re eligible please email alumni@sheffield.ac.uk. 

Can I bring a guest to the alumni reception?

Guests are more than welcome to join us at the alumni reception. if you would like to bring a guest, please email their full name to alumni@sheffield.ac.uk, along with your name and which alumni reception you are attending. 

I have another question about the event, who do I contact?

Please get in touch with the alumni relations team at alumni@sheffield.ac.uk. 

Chengdu Alumni Reception FAQs

What can I expect from the Alumni Reception and how can I book my place?

This reception is open to all alumni and you will get the chance to meet, network and celebrate with your fellow alumni living and working in Chengdu and the surrounding area. There will be photo opportunities, an employer panel discussion and a quiz. Refreshments will be provided for you and your guest. 

Registration will take place from 6.30pm, with the event beginning at 7pm. We anticipate the event to end at 9pm. 

You should have received an email invitation with a booking link, if you haven’t and would like to book your place, please email alumni@sheffield.ac.uk.

Where will the event take place?

The event will take place in Qingyang District, the exact location will be on your booking confirmation email. 

The venue has complimentary parking onsite, if needed. 

There will be a cloakroom available for you to store any coats. 

Do I need to bring any identification (Photo ID/passport) to enter the event?

Passports or ID cards are not required to access the venue or event.

Can I bring a guest?

Guests are more than welcome to join us at the alumni reception. if you would like to bring a guest, please email their full name to alumni@sheffield.ac.uk, along with your name and which alumni reception you are attending. 

I have another question about the event, who do I contact?

Please get in touch with the alumni relations team at alumni@sheffield.ac.uk. 

Graduation Terms and Conditions

1. Payment

Payment is required to be made within 72 hours of your graduation booking request, in order to confirm your booking. If payment is not made within this time period, your booking is not confirmed, and your booking will need to start over. 

2. Refunds

Tickets are non-refundable, and we will not be issuing any monetary refunds should you book a ticket and later be unable to attend, or change your mind.

3. Eligibility

This event is for University of Sheffield alumni of the graduating cohort years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. If you graduated outside of this timeframe you will not be eligible to attend this event. 

4. Changes

The organiser, University of Sheffield, reserves the right to make changes to the event, including the schedule, location,  delegation - and will not offer refunds in these circumstances. 

5. Cancellation

The organiser reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or reschedule the event. In these circumstances,  the organiser will contact all those booked on to inform them, and explore alternative arrangements where available. 

6. Force Majeure

Should the event be cancelled due to circumstances beyond the organisers control (Force Majeure), the organiser at their discretion may refund bookers partly or wholly, however will not be liable for associated travel costs, or any other associated costs.