Preparing for your graduation ceremony
Ensuring everything is ready for your celebration
If you are attending your ceremony
Important dates
Registration
- Registration will open 10am – Wednesday 30 September 2026
- Registration will close 10am – Wednesday 14 October 2026
Gown hire
- Gown hire booking closes 10am – Monday 23 November 2026
Refund deadline
- Refunds can be processed until 10am – Monday 23 November 2026
Plan your day (and what to expect on the day)
Make sure you check our
Your graduation ceremony – on the day information pages to plan your graduation day and get the most out of your ceremony.
Plan your travel and accommodation
Travelling to your graduation
Students and guests are responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements and other costs, and should ensure that such arrangements include appropriate cancellation and amendment rights, or that they have obtained appropriate insurance to cover such cancellation, amendments or losses. Please see
Graduation Policy
Students and guests are responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements and other costs, and should ensure that such arrangements include appropriate cancellation and amendment rights, or that they have obtained appropriate insurance to cover such cancellation, amendments or losses. Please see
Accommodation
There are a variety of hotels and B&Bs available near the venue. Further information can be found at Visit Plymouth.
There are a variety of hotels and B&Bs available near the venue. Further information can be found at Visit Plymouth.
Park and ride
There are three park and ride services to the city centre. Please use the facilities that operate from The George, Milehouse or Coypool for ease of parking and frequency of service. You can find more information Plymouth Park and Ride website. Please see the map for further detail.
There are three park and ride services to the city centre. Please use the facilities that operate from The George, Milehouse or Coypool for ease of parking and frequency of service. You can find more information Plymouth Park and Ride website. Please see the map for further detail.
Train and buses
The Plymouth Methodist Central Hall is a 15 minute walk from Plymouth railway station. Taxis are available from outside the main entrance to the station and regular buses run from the station to Plymouth city centre. Please visit the Plymouth Citybus and the Stagecoach websites for details.
The Plymouth Methodist Central Hall is a 15 minute walk from Plymouth railway station. Taxis are available from outside the main entrance to the station and regular buses run from the station to Plymouth city centre. Please visit the Plymouth Citybus and the Stagecoach websites for details.
Coach
National Express, Megabus and the SW Falcon run services to and from Plymouth Coach Station located around 10 minute walk from the University of Plymouth.
National Express, Megabus and the SW Falcon run services to and from Plymouth Coach Station located around 10 minute walk from the University of Plymouth.
Parking
There are numerous pay and display public car parks in Plymouth City Centre and in the close vicinity of Plymouth Methodist Central Hall. View detailed information about nearby car parks. The closest drop off point is at the front of the venue in Eastlake Street near Drake’s Circus Shopping Mall. The closest drop off point for ticket and robe collection at the Roland Levinsky Building is in James Street. Please see the map for further guidance
There are numerous pay and display public car parks in Plymouth City Centre and in the close vicinity of Plymouth Methodist Central Hall. View detailed information about nearby car parks. The closest drop off point is at the front of the venue in Eastlake Street near Drake’s Circus Shopping Mall. The closest drop off point for ticket and robe collection at the Roland Levinsky Building is in James Street. Please see the map for further guidance
Disabled parking
There is a drop-off point outside the Plymouth Central Methodist Hall for the ceremony. Please see the Plymouth City Council website for further information about parking provisions for blue badge holders. Disabled parking spaces can also be found in the nearby public car parks and Blue Badge holders are permitted to park on the streets providing they adhere to the rules set out by Plymouth City Council - please see guidelines here
There is a drop-off point outside the Plymouth Central Methodist Hall for the ceremony. Please see the Plymouth City Council website for further information about parking provisions for blue badge holders. Disabled parking spaces can also be found in the nearby public car parks and Blue Badge holders are permitted to park on the streets providing they adhere to the rules set out by Plymouth City Council - please see guidelines here
Registration and your booking
- Booking instructions are emailed to eligible students prior to booking opening and guest tickets can be purchased when registering your attendance.
- Please ensure you register your attendance before the booking period closes, or you may not be able to attend.
- If demand is greater than expected, tickets may not be available after the booking period closes or the guest ticket limit may be reduced
- Once you have completed the booking process, all of the tickets purchased and detailed in your confirmation email, are guaranteed.
- Please book in anticipation of successful completion of your studies. If you do not successfully complete your studies in time for your ceremony, you will be able to refund your tickets until the refund deadline on 23 November 2026 by revisting your booking.
Useful ticket information and refunds
Ticket prices:
Graduating student – free of charge
Adult – £35
Child (3–12 years): £15
Child (0–2 years) – free of charge. (Children under 2 do not need a ticket, but must sit on an adult's lap.)
Adult – £35
Child (3–12 years): £15
Child (0–2 years) – free of charge. (Children under 2 do not need a ticket, but must sit on an adult's lap.)
- Tickets are not posted. They are available for collection from the ticket desk situated on the ground floor of the Roland Levinsky Building up to two hours before your ceremony begins.
- Please indicate on your online booking form if you or your guests require wheelchair seating arrangements.
Please note: Students can cancel and refund their tickets until the refund deadline date by revisiting their booking.
Eligibility
Only students whose awards have been confirmed before 12 November 2026 by their faculty office can attend the graduation ceremony. If you are unsure about your eligibility, please contact your faculty office. If you are awarded after this date you will be invited to attend the July 2027 graduation.
Book your academic dress
How to order your robes
You must wear full academic robes to the graduation ceremony (gown, hood and cap). You can hire your academic robes from Ede & Ravenscroft, who are the official gown suppliers for the University of Plymouth and from whom the University receives a commission. We are aware of some unofficial gown providers that take payment but do not deliver the gown, or provide a poor quality garment which may not reflect the official university colours.
You must wear full academic robes to the graduation ceremony (gown, hood and cap). You can hire your academic robes from Ede & Ravenscroft, who are the official gown suppliers for the University of Plymouth and from whom the University receives a commission. We are aware of some unofficial gown providers that take payment but do not deliver the gown, or provide a poor quality garment which may not reflect the official university colours.
The online ordering system will close at 10am, Monday 23 November 2026.
To order your robes, you will need the following details:
- your name and student number
- your height (from head to floor)
- your head circumference (measure 1 inch above your eyebrows)
- your payment card details.
Price information
The cost to hire or purchase academic dress is displayed when ordering from Ede & Ravenscroft website. Please order your gown before the gown hire closing date of 23 November 2026. Academic dress is obligatory to cross the stage and is more expensive if you hire it on the day of your ceremony.
The cost to hire or purchase academic dress is displayed when ordering from Ede & Ravenscroft website. Please order your gown before the gown hire closing date of 23 November 2026. Academic dress is obligatory to cross the stage and is more expensive if you hire it on the day of your ceremony.
Smart attire
The ceremonies are formal occasions and we recommend that candidates should dress smartly. We welcome national dress for international students and military uniforms.
The ceremonies are formal occasions and we recommend that candidates should dress smartly. We welcome national dress for international students and military uniforms.
Returning your gown
Gowns should be returned to Ede & Ravenscroft on the same day.
Gowns should be returned to Ede & Ravenscroft on the same day.
Your name and your certificate
Your certificate will be printed with your full name as recorded on your student record. Please ensure this is your legal name and if you need to amend it, please contact your faculty office.
Academic regulations state:
It is a legal requirement that the University can only issue a certificate bearing the student’s official name at the time of qualification, except in the case of gender reassignment. Please see the University's
Academic Regulations for further details.
Your name and course details will be published in digital format on the University website in a bespoke graduate listings section, even if you do not attend the ceremony. Your degree classification will not be included. Please email gradlistingsoptout@plymouth.ac.uk if you want your details to be removed.
Receiving your Degree Certificate
Once your award has been conferred, your degree certificate will be posted to the home address you have registered on your student portal. Please ensure this information is correct and up to date. You can update your home address by logging on to your student portal. If you studied a collaborative programme, your certificate will be posted to your partner institution.
You can use the eDocuments service, DCWeb, to access your e-certificate and confirm your award to third parties or download a copy (please note that e-certificates are not available to students who studied at a partner institution).
If you completed your course and did not receive a degree certificate, please email graduation@plymouth.ac.uk and we will check your record. Certificates are issued free of charge within the first 12 months following the award date, after which time you will need to purchase a replacement certificate from the online store. A fee will be incurred for certificates sent to an incorrect address that hasn't been updated.
Postage of certificates
Certificates posted to UK addresses are sent using Royal Mail second class. Certificates posted to overseas addresses are sent using standard international airmail (this is not a tracked service and can take up to 28 days to arrive). If your home address is overseas and you wish to receive your certificate by tracked DHL Express Worldwide courier, please contact examsandawards@plymouth.ac.uk who will guide you accordingly. Please note that the cost for tracked DHL delivery is £20.
Guest tickets
- Guest tickets can be booked at the same time as the Graduand booking.
- Guest and student tickets will be collected by the graduand at the ticket table located in the Roland Levinsky building. We encourage guests not to wait at the ticket table with the graduand to avoid unnecessary queues.
- Guests can choose where they sit as guest seating is not allocated, but graduands will have an allocated seat separate to the guest area
Check your visa validity (international students only)
Student visa information and inviting friends and family from overseas
You may wish to invite friends or family from overseas to enjoy your graduation day with you.
To obtain a Graduation Letter and for further advice and more information please visit the
international student support pages . If your Tier 4 visa is no longer valid, you will need to apply for a Visitor Visa instead.
If you have a Student Visa which expires before your graduation ceremony date, please email internationalstudentadvice@plymouth.ac.uk for advice.
Visas for friends and family
If you would like your friends or family to attend your graduation or just to visit you in the UK, they may need to apply for Visitor visas. You will need to send them documentation confirming your current study and immigration status and there are a number of documents that they will need to prepare. Please contact Student Services for further information studentservices@plymouth.ac.uk.
If you would like your friends or family to attend your graduation or just to visit you in the UK, they may need to apply for Visitor visas. You will need to send them documentation confirming your current study and immigration status and there are a number of documents that they will need to prepare. Please contact Student Services for further information studentservices@plymouth.ac.uk.
Inform us of any special/accessibility requirements
If you or any of your guests need wheelchair seating arrangements in place for your graduation ceremony, please provide details in the online registration questionnaire when you make your booking. Ushers in the graduation hall will be aware of these arrangements and will assist your guests in finding their seats.
If you have any queries regarding special arrangements, please contact the Graduation team graduation@plymouth.ac.uk.
Photography on the day
Photography
Ede & Ravenscroft is the official photographer for your ceremonies. To make the most of your experience, we recommend pre-ordering your photography package online before your ceremony. If you prefer, you can pay a studio sitting fee upon arrival at the venue. This sitting fee will be deducted from the cost of any photographs you purchase, providing you keep the receipt to use as your discount code. Please note that the sitting fee is non-refundable.
Ede & Ravenscroft is the official photographer for your ceremonies. To make the most of your experience, we recommend pre-ordering your photography package online before your ceremony. If you prefer, you can pay a studio sitting fee upon arrival at the venue. This sitting fee will be deducted from the cost of any photographs you purchase, providing you keep the receipt to use as your discount code. Please note that the sitting fee is non-refundable.
Visit the Photo Studio at the Roland Levinsky building (Gallery) either solo or with your guests and loved ones. It’s the perfect opportunity to capture the memories of your special day with a beautiful official photograph or two that will last a lifetime.
Please direct any enquiries regarding official photographs taken on the day to Ede & Ravenscroft.
Outstanding Tuition Fees
Students with outstanding tuition fee debt with the University are not eligible to attend their ceremony or receive their certificate. In order to be permitted to book during the first round of booking, outstanding balances must be cleared before 31 October 2026. If you clear your debt after this date, your booking will be dependent upon ticket availability for your ceremony.
Please email studentaccountsteam@plymouth.ac.uk with your full name and student registration number if you are unsure whether you have an outstanding debt.
If you are not attending the ceremony
Register your non-attendance
Even if you are not planning to attend your ceremony, please still register your non-attendance to inform us of your decision and provide up to date contact details.
Your graduate community
Graduating from Plymouth means you're now part of a thriving alumni community making a difference across the world. We're incredibly proud of you and hope you feel the same way about us.
Your lifelong connection with us offers you many benefits, including careers support for three years after graduation and a host of alumni events around the world to help you to network and stay in touch with your old university friends.
Contact the Graduation team
Email: graduation@plymouth.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 1752 586399
Address: Graduation team, Room 403, Rolle Building, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA, United Kingdom
X: @PlymUni
Facebook: /plymouthuni
Telephone: +44 1752 586399
Address: Graduation team, Room 403, Rolle Building, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA, United Kingdom
X: @PlymUni
Facebook: /plymouthuni
In any communication regarding graduation ceremonies, please quote your full name, telephone number, student reference number and programme of study. Please note that to be fair to all students, we can only discuss ceremony details with the student who is graduating. Unfortunately this does not include family and friends. Thank you for your understanding.
