Instructions for graduands

Collect your robes

Collect your robe from Uni Central, Level 4, Students’ Union.  

Robes should be returned to Uni Central by 6.00pm on the day of your ceremony.

Go through security

Please do not bring large bags or suitcases to the Octagon Centre. There will be bag and person searches on entry. Anyone who appears to be under the influence of alcohol will not be permitted entry. Once you are inside, there is a cloakroom available if you want to leave bags and coats.

Take your seats

Graduands need to be in their allocated seats in the hall around 40 minutes before the ceremony begins to allow time for registration. Make sure you allow plenty of time for robe collection beforehand and to pass through security.

Each graduand is allocated a specific seat to ensure awards are presented in the correct order. You must sit in your allocated seat for registration and remain there until you are called for presentation.

Guests must be seated no later than 10 minutes before the ceremony begins.

During the ceremony

• A Marshal will signal to you when it is your turn to be presented
• You should immediately approach the platform by the steps to the left hand side and join the queue
• Once at the top of the platform, your name will be checked by the Marshal to check you are in the correct order for presentation
• When your name is announced, you should proceed across the platform and doff your cap to the Presiding Officer and then continue to the far end of the platform and down the stairs

  

• You will be handed your certificate at the foot of the stairs and will be guided back to your seat by the floor stewards
• At the end of the ceremony, Graduands will process from the hall. Guests should remain at their seats until all graduands have left. Please pre-arrange a meeting point on campus for after the ceremony ends. Make sure you take all belongings with you, as re-entry to the hall will not be permitted
• Please note that nothing is to be brought on to the platform, including mobile phones

Catch the live stream

Graduation ceremonies will be relayed live to the Auditorium in the Students’ Union to enable family and friends without tickets to watch the ceremony. Access is on a first-come-first-served basis and the University cannot be held responsible should this venue reach capacity.

Each ceremony is also streamed live on our website. Graduates and guests seated in the Octagon Centre should be aware that they might appear on the live stream.

Take photographs

Photography is permitted during the ceremony but this must be done from your seat, please do not move around the hall or restrict the view of other guests.  Tripods and other photography equipment are not permitted and there is strictly no access to the platform at any time.

Ede & Ravenscroft are the official graduation photographers and will be located in the Gallery Rooms, Level 4, Students Union throughout graduation week.

Grab something to eat

There are lots of places on campus to grab refreshments, from a quick bite through to a celebratory meal.

• University cafes
• Celebrate your big day in style at Inox, the University’s signature restaurant

Additional Information

Graduation Enquiries Desk

The Graduation Enquiries Desk is situated in the Octagon Foyer and will be open from 8.15am to 4.00pm Tuesday - Thursday and open from 10.00am on Monday and Friday.

Regulations regarding academic robes

The University's Regulation 17 concerning Academic Costume states that: "A graduand and any other person who is to be presented at a Degree Congregation shall wear the appropriate academic dress. The Marshal may exclude from presentation any candidate whose attire does not, in the Marshal's opinion, comply with this regulation".

Children

We do not recommend bringing very young children into the ceremony, due to the length and formal nature of proceedings. As an alternative, guests with children may wish to watch the ceremony in the Students' Union Auditorium, where the atmosphere is informal and tickets are not required.

Children in the Octagon Centre must have a ticket if they are 3 years old or over. We respectfully request that children are taken out of the hall if they become noisy or restless during proceedings. Children are not permitted on the stage at any time.

Due to health and safety restrictions, prams and pushchairs are not permitted in the ceremony hall and should be left in the complementary cloakroom.

Students’ Union

The Students’ Union will be open to offer graduands and their families space to relax, eat, drink, and enjoy their day.

Inside you can have your official Graduation photo taken and purchase souvenirs. 

Coffee Revolution and Bar One will be serving food and drink throughout the day and ‘Our Shop’ will be supplying all the essentials to ensure everything goes smoothly. They even have a Graduation Kids’ Zone for keeping children entertained.