What happens at the ceremony

To find out more about what happens at the ceremony, we have outlined this for you below:

  • Opening times for the venues are listed at Arrival Times. Please note that once the ceremony begins the doors will be closed and no further admittance will be allowed.

  • If possible, please leave your bags, cameras or other possessions with family members as you may not end up back in the same seat at the end of the ceremony.

  • When you enter the ceremony venue, please ensure that you have your ticket to hand as ushers will greet you to show you to your pre-assigned seat.

  • Once seated, please ensure you remain in the seat allocated to you, as this is the order in which you will be called to be congratulated by the Chair of the ceremony (please note, seating is by award and alphabetical by surname and you may not be sat with your cohort).

  • Your guests will not be seated with you.

  • Please ensure that all telephones have been turned off.

  • The University will be taking images of the congregation at the start of the ceremony.  The image will be uploaded by the University on to a graduation tagging site and users will be able to share the image online.  If you would prefer for your picture not to be included in the image you will be given the opportunity to move out of shot. 

  • At the conclusion of the photograph, you will be asked to stand as the academics process through the auditorium to the stage. When the academics have taken their seats, you should sit down. 

  • During the opening address, an usher will guide the first row of students from their seats to the front of the venue.  During the ceremony the usher will return to the end of each row in order to indicate when it is that row's turn to move.  Please wait for the usher to appear before leaving your seat.

  • If you are being awarded a doctorate you will go first, followed by postgraduate and undergraduate awards.

  • You will stand at the front until your name is called and then you will cross over the stage. There will be no handshaking, instead all parties will place their hand across their chest as a sign of acknowledgement. This is the conferment of your award and no certificate will be presented. You will then leave and return to your seat.

  • On leaving, you should follow the ushers' directions to your seat.  It is possible that you may not return to your original seat.

  • The conferment of awards is followed by the official speeches.

  • At the end of the ceremony, you will be asked to stand whilst the academics process out of the ceremony and then students will be directed to leave row by row.

  • Once all graduates have left the ceremony venue your guests will be directed to join you.