Postgraduate ceremonies January 2026 - On-the-day information

Travel and venue

Octagon Centre
University of Sheffield
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN

We recommend using public transport or park and ride as parking on campus is limited. We suggest using the following car parks if you are travelling by car: 

• QPark Durham Road, across from the Octagon
• QPark Rockingham, approximately half a mile from the Octagon Centre
• All the car parks in the city centre

Parking spaces for blue badge holders are available in QPark, Durham Road. Blue badge holders can also park on double yellow lines for a maximum of 3 hours providing there are no loading/unloading restrictions and the vehicle is not causing an obstruction. 

Venue security

The safety of visitors to the University is our highest priority. With this in mind, the following procedures are in place:

• Bags will be searched. Please do not bring large bags or suitcases to the Octagon Centre.
• There will be person searches on entry.
• Anyone who appears to be under the influence of alcohol will not be permitted entry.

Please arrive as near as possible to the published opening times, bearing in mind that security checks on the door take place.

Robing

You can collect your robes from Level 4, Students' Union,  following the timetable below:

All robes must be returned by 6pm on the day of hire.

Accessibility and support

We are committed to making graduation inclusive and accessible for all our graduands and guests. If you have accessibility or support requirements, please note these in the appropriate section of the registration form and we will do our best to ensure suitable arrangements are put in place. 

Alternatively, you can contact us and we will be happy to talk through the options available to you. 

Ceremony and robing venues
The Octagon Centre is accessible by ramp and has lifts and accessible toilet facilities.  More detailed information can be found 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.

Robing is on Level 4 of the Students’ Union.  The building is accessible by level access and contains lifts and accessible toilet facilities.  The Octagon centre can be accessed from the Student’s Union via the link bridge. More detailed information can be found on AccessAble.

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 above.

The ceremony

Before the ceremony

• 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. 

During the ceremony

• Ceremonies last between 45-90 minutes
• Marshals will direct graduands out of their rows. 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.
• 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 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.

After the ceremony

• When the ceremony has closed, Marshals will lead a graduand procession.
• Once in the Octagon Foyer and Octagon Bar area, graduands must leave the Octagon via the main doors and meet guests outside on the concourse.

How to doff the cap

Dining and activities on campus

Departmental receptions

A full list of departmental receptions, which are organised by your academic department, will be provided here nearer to the time.

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.

Live stream

Live stream to the auditorium

Each graduation ceremony is live streamed in the Students' Union Auditorium, to enable family and friends without allocated seats to see the ceremony.   The live stream is also available online and a link will be available on the graduation home page on the day.

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 ticketed and are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

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.

Alumni