The big day
An overview of how your ceremony will pan out for you and your guests.
The University supports the right of our students to free speech. Graduation is a time of great celebration for all of our graduands as well as their friends and families, and we ask that graduands show mutual respect for each other's achievements by refraining from disrupting the ceremony for others.
Our Students' Union Sabbatical Officers, Kaitlyn and Freddy, take you through what to expect from the day.
Travel and parking
We recommend that you arrive around two hours before your ceremony is due to start, so it's best to plan your travel and parking in advance.
Our Park and Ride service offers regular buses between Grimston Bar (YO19 5LA) and campus.
Get your tickets
Tickets for your guests can be collected from the outside marquee located in Car Park South by showing your photo ID. (Your guests can't collect their tickets themselves). Ticketed seats will be allocated either in Central Hall itself, or in our Live Screening Room.
Get your gown
Once you've arrived, you can collect your gown from the Roger Kirk Galleria Restaurant before your ceremony begins.
Return it to the Roger Kirk Galleria Restaurant at the end of the day.
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.
Take your seats
We'll ask you to be in your allocated seat in Central Hall around 45 minutes before your ceremony begins, so make sure to allow plenty of time for gown and ticket collection beforehand.
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.
If you signed up for your StageClip, you'll receive this within a few days.
Get some photos
Our official graduation photographers will be based in the Roger Kirk Galleria Restaurant and will offer a range of packages for graduands and guests.
Get some food
A selection of campus outlets will be serving food and drink throughout our graduation days.
On-site stewards and our information desk outside the Berrick Saul building will be able to suggest nearby facilities.
Post ceremony drinks and music
Come along and celebrate your success with your friends and family at the complimentary reception being held in the Exhibition Centre. Bar facilities will be available.
Get some rest
You made it! Once the day is over, it's time to think ahead to your next big step as a UoY alum.
