The big day

Our Students' Union Sabbatical Officers, Kaitlyn and Freddy, take you through what to expect from the day.

https://youtu.be/8CNmhpLaAjU

Questions on the day? You'll find our information desk outside Central Hall.

You must not customise your academic dress (gown, hood or cap), wear anything over the top of it, or carry any additional items on stage with you, unless for accessibility reasons. Please have a look at our official gown and dress guidance. 

The University has the right not to admit nor capture footage of anyone not adhering to these rules, or to insist certain items are left outside the hall, which will be returned after the ceremony.

Enjoy the ceremony

Each ceremony lasts around one and a quarter hours, depending on graduand numbers. Each graduand will be called onto the stage to receive their congratulations from the Vice-Chancellor or other ceremony official. You will cross the stage, from left to right, and doff your cap, rather than shaking hands.

https://youtu.be/QGXt-TussRs?si=UkxRsml9NDlEeZ8W

We may also confer an honorary degree on a distinguished person during your ceremony.

Graduands and guests are warmly invited to clap and cheer during the ceremony. However, please refrain from disrupting the ceremony by any other means, so that we can ensure our graduands and guests enjoy the celebrations they deserve. The University has the right to ask any person to leave the event if they are acting in a manner which, in the opinion of the University, may cause a breach of the peace, cause harm to others or cause damage to the premises.

During graduation weeks we ask everyone on campus to be aware of noise levels and not to play music through speakers or sound systems that could disrupt ceremonies. The use of voice amplifying devices such as microphones, loudhailers or megaphones is not permitted any where on Campus West during graduation ceremony weeks.