Graduation

On the day

Key things to consider

1. Give yourself enough time to walk from the campus to De Montfort Hall. It is a 15 minute walk through Victoria Park.
2. Ensure your guests have a copy of their tickets to get into De Montfort Hall. These do not need to be printed, but they need to be able to show them at the entrance, as you will enter the Hall separately.
3. Plan when you’re going to have your professional photos taken as there are likely to be queues. Remember you need to give yourself plenty of time to walk down to De Montfort Hall.

The ceremony

It is approximately a 15 minute walk through Victoria Park to De Montfort Hall. Check-in at the Hall opens one hour before your ceremony begins, and closes 20 minutes before it starts. If you arrive once check-in has closed, you may not be allowed in.

When you arrive at De Montfort Hall, you will need to report to one of six registration desks where we will register your attendance and give you your ticket. Please bring your student ID card or any other form of ID (for example your passport or driving licence) with you on the day and present it at the desk to confirm your identity.

You must sit in the seat assigned to you. An usher will advise you when it’s your turn to stand and process across the stage.

You will line up in your row, and it’s essential to stay in this order as you go up onto the stage. We politely ask you to remove your mortarboard (hat) when you are inside the hall and for the duration of the ceremony. Please leave it on your seat as you walk across the stage.

Once your name is called, you will walk across the stage, and shake the hand of the Presiding Officer. If you would rather not shake the hand of the Presiding Officer, please carry your graduation brochure with you as you process – you will find this on your seat (you can leave your brochure on your seat if you would like to shake the Presiding Officer’s hand). You will then make your way back to your seat for the remainder of the ceremony.

This is a momentous occasion for you and your families and of course reason to celebrate. We kindly request you to be quiet and respectful during the ceremony. Please refrain from talking or making any noise that might disturb the proceedings and please also silence your mobile phones and other electronic devices.

To receive your certificate, you will wait once the ceremony has ended and a member of staff will give it to you as you file out of the hall.

Alumni Graduation stand

Before you leave, make sure to drop by our alumni stand outside the Ken Edwards Building. You’ll have the opportunity to meet our friendly staff and alumni as well as find out how you can benefit from joining our expansive alumni community. You can also pick yourself up an exclusive alumni tote bag. 

Take a photo at one of the alumni backdrops in the Charles Wilson Building and share your photos online using #LeicesterGrad. Here, you can also put your order in for personalised graduation merchandise. 10% of all graduation merchandise sales with Campus Clothing will be donated to our Student Hardship Fund. You can also order online now.

We love to hear all about your stories after graduation and to follow your successes. By keeping in touch with us you’ll have access to exclusive benefits, alumni events and opportunities and be updated on what’s going on around the University. Make sure that we have your most up to date contact details to stay connected with us after you have graduated.

We can’t wait for you to join our community!

Graduation receptions

You will be invited to join us at a reception to celebrate following your graduation ceremony. Receptions will take place shortly after your ceremony concludes at Centenary Square marquee on campus. If any other arrangements have been made your department will be in touch separately. 

Quiet space

There is a quiet area at the Union Studio in Percy Gee building. It will be open throughout the days of the ceremonies and is open to students and guests alike.