Your graduation ceremony - on the day

View the July 2024 timetable 

Tickets are not posted and need to be collected on the day of the ceremony from the ticket table in the Graduation Lounge. Tickets are available for collection two hours before the ceremony begins.  

Doors for the ceremony will open thirty minutes prior to the ceremony start time. Please ensure you allow enough time to collect your robes and arrive to take your seat at this time. 

Guest seating is unreserved and graduands have allocated seating with their name card on their seat. The seat number is provided at the ticket collection desk with some short instructions. It is very important that you sit in the correct seat during the ceremony. If you have any difficulties finding your seat, please talk to a member of Graduation staff who will be on hand to assist. Please note that  graduands and their guests do not sit together. 

Each ceremony may differ slightly, but will broadly follow the format listed below.

The ceremony will begin with the entry of the procession. Graduands and guests are asked to stand when the music begins, and to remain standing until the procession has taken their place on the stage. The Vice-Chancellor (or representative) will ask the audience to be seated.

The ceremony will be formally opened, followed by a welcoming address by the Vice-Chancellor or (representative) and a short introduction from the Master of Ceremony with some general housekeeping information.

When the Master of Ceremony calls upon the presenter to present the graduands for their award, the marshals will indicate each row of graduands to make their way towards the stage. There will be marshals along the way to assist and make sure you remain in the correct order.

You will be directed towards the ramp leading to the stage.

It can be a daunting prospect to cross the stage in front of everyone at the ceremony, but don't worry there will be marshals on hand to assist. When the presenter reads your name, you will proceed across to the centre of the stage to be greeted by the Vice-Chancellor (or representative), who will bow. You should bow in return (doff your cap) and your degree will be officially conferred upon you. 

You will continue across the stage and then return to your seat. Marshals will be on hand to direct you. You will return to the same seat so you can leave any items under your seat prior to going on stage. Should you require assistance in crossing the stage, marshals will direct you accordingly and you will be able to exit via the ramp.

The Vice-Chancellor (or representative) will give a closing speech and formally close the ceremony.

The ceremony venue is fully accessible via ramps within the venue perimeter. 

Light refreshments (including alcoholic beverages) and snacks, with a selection of vegan and vegetarian options, are available to purchase at the venue. There are also several cafes within the Hoe promenade, the historic Barbican and the city centre.

Graduation ceremonies are formal occasions and we recommend that you dress smartly. We do not consider jeans and t-shirt appropriate dress for graduation.

We welcome national dress for international students.

Venue

The 15-17 July 2024 graduation ceremonies will take place at the graduation marquee on Plymouth Hoe Promenade PL1 2PU.

The 19-21 November 2024 graduation ceremonies will take place at the Theatre Royal Plymouth, Royal Parade, Plymouth PL1 2TR.

Tickets

Tickets are not posted and need to be collected on the day of the ceremony from the ticket table. Tickets are available for collection two hours before your ceremony is due to start. For example, if your ceremony is due to start at 10:00, you may collect tickets from 08:00 onwards.

All guests require a ticket to access the graduation hall. 

Ceremony

Doors to the graduation hall open approximately 30 minutes before the start of the ceremony. We ask guests to be seated at least 15 minutes before the ceremony begins. You can check the timetable for each graduation event on the Graduation website.

With the exception of guests with specific requirements, seats for guests are unreserved. You are welcome to sit in any seat without a reserved sign on it. As graduands are seated in a separate area of the hall, it is not possible for graduands and guests to sit together.

At the beginning and end of the ceremony, please stand for the entry and exit of the procession.  

Children are welcome to attend graduation celebrations, however due to the length of the ceremony and the formal nature of the event, the ceremonies may not be suitable for young children who may struggle to sit quietly for the duration of the event (approximately one hour). We recommend that guests with young children opt for seating near the entrances in case they need to leave the hall.