Celebration and Graduation Ceremony Guide

Pre-Ceremony Day

Check your email for your personalised celebration and graduation itinerary.

• If you can't attend

  We can only consider deferral requests for 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, please contact your campus Registry Office.

• Dietary Requirements

  If you or one of your guests has a dietary requirement, please contact your campus Registry Office.

• 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).

  • Further information can be found on gov.uk

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 2023 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.

• Relive Your Day

  Your ceremony will be available to live stream or watch back at a later date on the Ulster University Youtube channel.