Plan your day

1	Arrive in Good Time All ceremonies take place in the Octagon Centre, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN. We recommend you arrive on campus approximately 90 minutes before the start time of your ceremony, to allow time for collection of robes and photography.
2	Check that you have your tickets and make sure your guests have theirs Have you seat numbers to hand, either printed or on your phone and make sure you guest know their seat numbers too, in case you get separated.  Graduands sit together at the front of the hall and guests seating is in block around the hall.

Collect your gown

If you have hired a gown, you can collect it and get professionally dressed by a robing steward in the robing room. Please have your Ede & Ravenscroft confirmation email to hand.  If you haven't booked in advance, please go to see Ede and Ravenscroft anyway, as they will be able to advise you on your options.

Robes will be available for collection from Uni Central on Level 4 of the Students’ Union Building, following the timetable below: Monday, Tuesday, Friday - 7.30am to 2.45pm, Wednesday, Thursday - 7.30am to 5.15pm

All robes must be returned on the day of your ceremony, by 6pm  Monday/Tuesday/Friday and 9pm Wednesday/Thursday.

Have your official photographs taken

If you have ordered official photographs from Ede and Ravenscroft, your next stop is the photography area, which is also on Level 4 of the Students' Union. Have your Ede & Ravenscroft photography confirmation ready.  If you haven't booked in advance, please go to see Ede and Ravenscroft anyway, as they will be able to advise you on your options.  If for any reason you don't  have time to get you photographs taken before the ceremony, you can always go back afterwards.

Opening times:  

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 7.30am-9.00pm

Wednesday and Friday 7.30am-6.00pm 

Check the detail of your school reception

further information to follow

Make your way to the Octagon and take your seat

Once the auditorium opens, you can make your way up the stairs (or use the lift) to take your seat. If you have guests, they will sit together in a separate part of the auditorium.  Once your are in you seat you will be registered as present by a Graduation Marshall. Please stay in the seat you are allocated so that you stay in the correct order.  

• Graduands need to be in their allocated seat 40 minutes prior to the ceremony start time. University marshals undertake student registration from seats in the hall.
• Graduands sit in the two front blocks, seat numbers are on tickets.
• Guests have seats in the remainder of the hall.
• University staff stewards will be in the hall to assist graduands to their seats if necessary.
• There will be a keepsake graduation programme on all graduands seats. Programmes for guests can be found in the dispensers around the hall.

Opening times

What happens during the ceremony?

• When the time comes to go on to the stage you will be guided every step of the way.   See the video below for a visual description of what happens in the ceremony. Ceremonies last between 45 and 90 minutes.
• Everyone in the hall will be invited to stand, if they are able, for the staff and officers processions. The two processions will make their way on to the platform.
• The Presiding Officer will declare the ceremony open, ask graduands and guests to be seated and give a few words of welcome.
• Marshals will direct graduands out of their rows and re-check names. As graduands leave their seat they must ensure they follow the graduand immediately in front of them. Graduands must not change position in the queue.
• Once graduands are at the bottom of the stairs their names will be checked again. There will also be a member of the Edes and Ravenscroft robing team to check robes.
• Graduands will ascend a short flight of steps onto the platform (alternative access can be arranged if we are notified in advance). Names will be checked again and then read out by the Presenter. Graduands will proceed across the stage, doff their cap to the Presiding Officer and descend the steps at the other end of the stage.
• Once off the stage, graduands will be given their certificate (if they have not already received it).
• Stewards will direct graduands back to their seats.
• Some ceremonies will have a honorary degree. This is usually presented in the middle of the ceremony.

Time to celebrate!

• Take advantage of our catering outlets on campus
• Make use of our fun photo opportunities 
• Spend time with your family and friends.
• Purchase graduation souvenirs
• Don't forget to return your robe by the end of the day!

Accessibility and support

Accessibility requirements should have been provided when registering. If you have any queries regarding anything to do with accessibility please get in touch using our Contact Us form and we will be happy to discuss these.

Assistance Dogs

As with accessibility requirements, assistance dogs will be permitted but the details should be given when registering. If you have any special requirements get in touch by using our Contact Us form.

Ceremony

The Octagon Centre is accessible by ramp and has lifts and accessible toilet facilities. Find detailed information on AccessAble.

Items such as mobility scooters and pushchairs should be left in the cloakroom once guests have taken their seats as it is not possible to store them in the ceremony hall.

Gender neutral toilets are located in the Students’ Union Building, next door to the Octagon Centre.

The Students’ Union Building (Level 2) has a Prayer Room with Wudu facilities.

Parking information can be found under travel and venue. 

Dining and activities on campus

Students' Union

Sheffield Students’ Union building 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, pick up a souvenir or bouquet of flowers, and enjoy a drink at their bar.

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!

Find a full list of the University's cafes.

INOX Dine - Celebrate your graduation ceremony in style at INOX Dine.

Departmental receptions

These events allow graduates, their guests and academic staff to celebrate together.  A full list of the receptions can be found here shortly.

Live stream

All ceremonies will be live-streamed and available to watch back.

Relay link to auditorium

Each graduation ceremony is relayed live to the Students' Union Auditorium, to enable family and friends without allocated seats to see the ceremony. 

This facility may be particularly useful for guests with young children who may not be able to remain seated throughout the ceremony. Seats in the Auditorium are not allocated or ticketed and are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Tickets are not required. However, it should be noted that whilst the Auditorium seats 400 people and does not normally reach capacity, the Events Team cannot be held responsible should seats be unavailable at busy times.

The Auditorium has tiered seating and 10 spaces for wheelchair users.