Graduation : Graduation day

Please enter the Ballroom – following the lollipop signs that say ‘Gowning’. Once you enter the ballroom, you may not exit again. There is a cloakroom available in the Pavilion that you’ll need to use for your bags, or you can leave any valuables with your guests before joining the queue to be gowned.

Please make sure you bring your Marston Events confirmation, given when hiring your gown. Staff will assist you to adjust your cap and gown.

You'll have time to drop off any (non-valuable) belongings at the cloakroom, use the washrooms, and grab a drink of water if needed, before heading into the theatre.

30 minutes before the ceremony begins, ushers will indicate when you need to start moving to the theatre, where you’ll find your own seat. Once gowned, you’ll have received your name card which will include your seat number. You must keep hold of this card as you'll pass to the Orator on stage who will call out your name.

1. Your course usher will get you up in plenty of time to lead you over towards the stage. Graduands are announced alphabetically in their course groups. We don't announce what level of degree you have been awarded.
   
2. You’ll be invited to climb up the stage steps and wait there until the name announcer signals for your name card
   
3. You’ll be invited to hand your name card to the announcer.
   
4. As your name is called you'll cross the stage, pause centre stage in front of the Chancellor. Smile! Your video clip will be taken at this time and available shortly after the ceremony. When crossing, pause midway across the stage, make eye contact and (unless you’ve specified otherwise) you’ll shake the hand of the Chancellor, Sir Christopher Frayling, as a formal gesture. Then continue to cross to the other side of the stage where you'll go down the steps. You’ll be directed to the foyer to collect your certificate and then be ushered back into the theatre and into a new seat.

Please note: you won't be handed your scroll or certificate on stage at graduation; you can collect this in the Pavilion foyer as you return to take your seat. Please keep noise to a minimum in order to avoid any disruption to the ceremony proceedings.

There will be a staggered departure from the theatre. Once the stage party has left the stage, graduates will be invited to leave the theatre in a staggered exit, collect any belongings from the cloakroom and exit via the stairs straight out onto the lower terraces to meet your guests.

Guests will be invited to exit the theatre onto the West Terrace and straight down the external stairs to the lower terraces, where they'll reconvene with graduates outside PDSW.

As the times are set for the Beach Reception, we recommend heading straight to the Beachfront Marquee following the ceremony to ensure you do not miss out. Graduands and guests will require their same tickets which will be scanned to enter the marquee.

Strictly no one will be permitted without a ticket, and scanners will highlight if a ticket has been scanned more than once so it is not possible for multiple guests to use the same ticket.

Upon entry, you’ll be given a token which can be redeemed at our bar for a complimentary glass of fizz or non-alcoholic alternative. We will have a live DJ performing and Campus Clothing will be present for you to purchase any memorabilia you wish.

View our map for more information.

Before you leave the event, please remember to return your gown to Marston Events (if hired from our recommended supplier Marston Events) at Pavilion Dance by 18.00 at the latest.