Your belongings
Please ensure that any bags that you bring can fit comfortably on your knee or under your chair. Belongings must be removed from all aisles in the venue to ensure that they do not obstruct those graduating/processing.
Use of images
Your graduation is a special day for you, your family and friends.
As not all of your family and friends can attend the ceremony in person, the ceremonies are photographed, filmed and broadcast live on the web. We also post footage on the University website and You Tube channel after each ceremony. Ceremony films are archived securely and indefinitely for future reference.
All graduands and guests should be aware that they may feature in ceremony footage. By registering to take part in your graduation ceremony and by accepting guest tickets, you are giving permission for your image to be photographed and recorded.
The University may use the photographs and footage from graduation ceremonies for our media and publications.
Certificates
Certificates are not issued at the ceremony. If you have not already received your certificate, it will be posted to your home address by the end of September. Please ensure your home address is up to date on your student record.
Guests
Guests’ seats will not be numbered and guests choose seating in the theatre on a first-come, first-served basis. Seats will be reserved for guests (within your two-ticket allocation) who are in wheelchairs or with special requirements providing this was indicated on your application form.
If any of your guests have special requirements but you did not indicate this on your application form you must contact a member of the Awards Team by emailing [email protected] as soon as possible.
Please Note: Dogs are not allowed on campus, with the exception of guide dogs.
Your role in the ceremony
When you collect your tickets on the day, you will be advised of the specific seat reserved for you, based on what you have studied and your surname. It is extremely important that you sit in your reserved seat. Staff will be on hand to ensure that you know where your seat is and to check that all students are correctly seated. When all students and guests are seated and the ceremony is about to begin, everyone will be asked to stand. There will then be a fanfare of trumpets and the ceremony will formally open with the entrance of the Academic Procession.
The ceremony will begin with an opening address and this may be followed by the presentation of an honorary award. Following the opening speeches, ushers will indicate for the first student to be presented to the Reader. The first student’s name will be announced by the Reader and this student will process across a red carpet, be greeted by the Presiding Officer and then return to their seat. Each subsequent student will follow. The Reader will know to announce your name when you are presented as they will have a pre-prepared list based on the seat you are in. This is why it is so important for you to sit in the correct seat.
If you wish to shake hands with the Presiding Officer when you walk across the red carpet they will be very happy to do so. However, if you would prefer to do an elbow touch, fist bump or just a nod of the head, they will be equally happy to do that and will take their lead from you on the day.
There will be a number of ushers who will make sure you know exactly what to do during the ceremony. They will be on standby to point you in the right direction if you want to know anything during the ceremony.
Toward the end of the ceremony, the Presiding Officer will ask all students to stand so that your award can be conferred. After this, your formal role in the ceremony is over and you can sit back and relax!
During the ceremony
Your graduation ceremony is a formal occasion and takes place in an intimate venue, where sound carries very easily. Therefore, we ask that all graduands display respectful conduct, befitting the occasion, while your fellow graduands are being presented for their awards.
Tips for a smooth day
1
Register at least one hour before your ceremony starts.
2
Collect your robes following registration.
3
When you’ve registered, go to the Sports Centre for your photographs.
4
Arrive at the Faculty of Health, Social Care and Medicine for your ceremony with at least 30 minutes to spare. Don’t forget we close the doors 30 minutes before the start time.
5
Enjoy your ceremony!
6
After the ceremony, please join us in the Hub to enjoy a complimentary drink and celebrate with your guests and fellow graduates.
7
If you didn’t have chance to visit the photography studios earlier, pop over to the Sports Centre following your ceremony.
8
Return your robes to the Sports Centre.
What to do when you are presented
1
Prior to the start of the ceremony, an usher will demonstrate exactly what you need to do and the path you should follow when you are presented.
2
Following the opening speeches, Ushers will indicate for you to stand and guide you to line up in preparation of your presentation.
3
Shortly before you are due to be presented the Lead Usher will ask you to confirm your name to ensure that you are in the correct order. Please retain your ticket. Do not give your ticket to the Ushers.
4
When the lead usher indicates for you to do so, you should walk all the way to the edge of the red carpet and wait.
5
Once the presenter announces your name, you will then process across the red carpet to the presiding officer, who will greet you and shake your hand.
6
You will then continue to walk along the red carpet and return to your seat (following the path demonstrated by the usher prior to the start of the ceremony).
Please visit the toilet before entering the theatre. Once the theatre doors close, 30 minutes before the ceremony starts, you will not be permitted to exit until the ceremony finishes.
