On the day
Learn more about what to expect, when to arrive and where to go on your graduation day.
The below schedules refer to how things ran for July 2023 graduation ceremonies. Please note they should be taken as an approximate outline only and details for January 2024 will be confirmed closer to the time of the ceremonies.
11am ceremony start
Gowning
Gowning opens at 8am in Charles Wilson Building.
Check-in time
Make your way to De Montfort Hall to check in for your ceremony.
Check-in opens at 10.00am and closes at 10.40am (you must arrive at De Montfort Hall before check-in closes, as latecomers may not be admitted).
Photography opening times
Graduation photography will be open from 8.00am to 6.00pm.
There will be queues for photography, so please prioritise arriving at De Montfort Hall on time to check in for your ceremony. There is plenty of time after your ceremony to get your photos taken.
3pm ceremony start
Gowning
Gowning opens from 10am in Charles Wilson Building.
Check-in time
Make your way to De Montfort Hall to check in for your ceremony.
Check-in opens at 2pm and closes at 2.40pm (you must arrive at De Montfort Hall before check-in closes, as latecomers may not be admitted).
Photography opening times
Graduation photography will be open from 8.00am to 6.00pm.
There will be queues for photography, so please prioritise arriving at De Montfort Hall on time to check in for your ceremony.
Key things to consider
- Give yourself enough time to walk from the campus to De Montfort Hall. It is at least a 10 to 15 minute walk through Victoria Park.
- 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.
- Plan when you’re going to have your professional photos taken as there are likely to be queues. Photography opens from 8am but remember you need to give yourself plenty of time to walk down to De Montfort Hall
The ceremony
It is approximately a 10-15 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.
To receive your certificate, you will wait in your seat once the ceremony has ended and a member of staff will bring it to you.
Graduation Receptions
You will be invited to join us at a reception to celebrate your graduation following your ceremony. Information for the January 2024 ceremonies will be updated here closer to the time of the ceremonies.