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Celebration and Graduation Ceremony Guide

If you can't attend

Deferral requests to the next Graduation period can only be considered in the case of extenuating circumstances.

Please contact your campus Registry Office if you want to discuss your extenuating circumstances.

Celebrating with your classmates

You can attend the same event as your classmates

Ceremonies will be arranged by Faculty and School.

However larger schools may need to be scheduled across two ceremonies. If this is the case, we will endeavour to schedule both ceremonies on the same day.

Accessibility Requirements

If you or one of your guests has any accessibility requirements or additional needs you will have the opportunity to provide details at the time of booking your tickets through the Marston Events booking system. If you wish to update your booking with an accessibility requirement, please contact Marston Events

Dietary Requirements

If you or one of your guests has a dietary requirement you will have the opportunity to provide details at the time of booking your tickets through the Marston Events booking system. If you wish to update your booking with a dietary requirement, please contact Marston Events

Guests from overseas

If your family members need a visa to travel to the UK, they will also need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa to visit you and attend your celebration and graduation ceremony in the UK, unless they are a non-visa national (someone who does not need a visa to come to the UK for a short visit).

Book your place at the ceremony

The booking system will be open from Wednesday 6 November 2024. Unfortunately, late requests once the booking system closes cannot be accepted so be sure to book your place in time.

Additional ticket sales

Additional guest ticket sales have now closed. Please contact your campus Student Operations Team to enquire about the availability of additional tickets for your ceremony. If available, additional guest tickets will be for sale at the graduation venue on the day of your ceremony, on a first come first served basis, at a cost of £20 each (card payment only).

Eligibility to attend the ceremony

Students who have completed their course in September/October 2024 will receive an email invitation to book their place at the Winter ceremonies.

E-tickets

tudents will receive E-Tickets from Marston Events one week before the ceremony. Please check your UU student email account as the E-Tickets will be required to gain access to the venue for your ceremony.

Personalised itinerary

Students will receive a personalised itinerary email to their UU email account one week before the ceremony with important information about the Graduation day. Please check your UU student email account and contact your Campus Registry Office if you have not received this.

Ceremony Day

Travelling to your ceremony

Car parking will be free of charge for up to 5 hours on both the Coleraine and Derry~Londonderry campuses on the days of ceremonies.

Please note, if you are planning to travel to the Coleraine campus by train, University Station is currently closed while Translink completes upgrades to the rail network. Please disembark at Portrush or Coleraine Station and use onward bus travel. For the most up-to-date information on bus stops and times, visit Translink's journey planner.

A discounted QR code for parking will be emailed to students for the Belfast ceremonies in the ICC/Waterfront Hall.

Check-in 2 hours before

You must arrive 2 hours before the ceremony to allow adequate time for pre-ceremony activity:

  • Collection of your academic dress (your gown and mortarboard)
  • Photography available 2 hours before your rehearsal
Attend the rehearsal

It’s essential that you attend your rehearsal. If you miss this, you will not be able to attend the ceremony

Your guests

While you are busy getting prepared, guests can relax with a stroll around the venue, grab a coffee in one of the local cafes or take a seat in the designated waiting area.

Unfortunately, guests cannot accompany students in the academic dress area, however guests are welcome to attend photography.

Graduation booklet

All attendees will receive a Class of 2024 booklet with your name and award(s) listed.

Post Ceremony Activity

Refreshments

Celebrate with your guests with refreshments and musical entertainment.

Memorabilia

Visit the official UU merchandise stand for a special keepsake.

Academic Dress

Return your gown and mortarboard before you leave.