Every Monday, firstpoint publishes five points about a topic related to life at university. It’s that time of year, and you may be thinking about your graduation! Here are some of the questions you might be considering…
POINT ONE: HOW DO I FIND OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING…?
You will receive an email from the Academic Registrar and a new Ceremony tab will appear on your SOLE page. The email will also include a link to the University’s graduation webpages which will tell you everything you need to know. Make sure you read the information thoroughly before confirming your attendance, booking your guest tickets or ordering your academic robe. Make sure you are aware of all the relevant deadlines!
In the information provided, you will be referred to as a graduand, which means you are a university student who has finished their studies, but who has not yet fully graduated.
You’ll also find lots of helpful information on the Graduation Frequently Asked Questions pages.
POINT TWO: WHEN AND WHERE ARE THE CEREMONIES BEING HELD…?
This year’s graduation ceremonies are taking place between the 9th – 11th September 2025 – the specific dates for courses will be listed on the Registry Services webpages.
The ceremonies are being held in Worcester Cathedral. The Cathedral provides a beautiful setting for the ceremonies, but due to the nature of the building some seats may have restricted views of proceedings. To overcome this difficulty, the University arranges for screens to be placed around the Cathedral.
The layout of the Cathedral also limits the number of seats that are available, which is why the number of tickets is monitored very carefully.
POINT THREE: HOW DO I ORDER MY TICKETS…?
As the graduand, you do not need to purchase a ticket for yourself – however you do need to confirm that you will be attending the ceremony via your SOLE page by the deadline provided. If you would like guests to join you at the ceremony you will need to purchase guest tickets.
Each student has a guarantee that they will be able purchase two guest tickets for their ceremony, but due to the capacity of the Cathedral it is unlikely that there will be any extra guest tickets available. You will be able to request additional guest tickets when you make your initial booking, but it will not be possible to confirm the availability of these until after the deadline, when all orders have been received.
You will then be asked to pay for tickets via SOLE after the booking period has ended and we have confirmed the number that you have been allocated. Check the information you have been given for deadlines both for ordering and making payment.
If you have guests attending from abroad, you can contact our Graduation Team for further information regarding any written confirmation they made need for travel, you can find their contact details on the Registry Services Graduation page.
POINT FOUR: DO I NEED TO WEAR ACADEMIC ROBES…?
The ceremony is a formal event and you must wear the correct robe relating to your award.
Details about how to hire your robe will be included in the information provided by the Graduation team. The company from which you will hire your robe is Marston Events, their website details will be included in your invitation email.
It is usual to wear something smart and formal under your robe, such as a shirt or blouse. This also helps the robe stay in place because the shirt/blouse provides a button that the ‘hood’ of the robe can be looped through, fixing it into position. If you choose not to wear something with a button, the robe may need to be pinned into place. Staff from the robing company will help you to put the robe on correctly.
POINT FIVE: WHAT HAPPENS ON THE DAY…?
Your tickets and academic robes will be collected from the Severn Campus. Guest seating is non-assigned, unless you indicated, when booking, that your guests have any seating requirements e.g. wheelchair access.
It is important that you take your seat well in advance of your ceremony beginning so we can make sure you are sitting in the correct order. Staff will be on hand to help you find your seat. During the ceremony staff will ask you to get out of your seat in preparation for your name being called. Once your name is read out you will walk onto the stage, shake hands with a member of staff from the University Executive, then exit the stage via a short ramp where you will collect your certificate before returning around the Cathedral to your seat.
From this point, you are no longer a graduand and are a graduate! Congratulations!
All graduates and guests are invited to the post ceremony reception held at the Severn Campus. Here you can have a celebratory drink and meet with friends and tutors.
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