Eligibility
As graduation registration opens before courses are, in many cases, completed and results are confirmed, please note that your eligibility to attend graduation is contingent on completing and passing your course. If you are not awarded your degree for it to be processed by the results board, your registration will be automatically cancelled.
Registration
Lancaster University has a bespoke ceremony management system through which we communicate with eligible students. In our communications, we always include your student number to reassure you that the communication is genuine.
Please note that capacity in the Great Hall is limited. We strongly advise graduands to register as soon as possible after they receive a graduation invitation. Graduand spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis until the capacity in the Hall has been reached. If you are placed on a waiting list for your ceremony and space is not available the week before graduation, we will contact you to ask you whether you wish to attend an alternative ceremony or whether you wish to defer your attendance to the next available ceremony. Please refer to the section 'When will I graduate' for details about which qualifications are awarded at our ceremonies. Please do not wait until you have your results before registering for a ceremony, as there is unlikely to be space available.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Name Pronunciations
During your graduation ceremony, we endeavour to pronounce your name as accurately as possible. Lancaster University uses a system called NameCheck to capture the correct pronunciation of your name. Phonetic pronunciation will then be printed on your name card to help the presenter pronounce your name correctly during the ceremony.
NameCheck allows you to record your name which will then be shared with colleagues presenting names. All students will receive a link in the email inviting them to register; this link is specific to your ceremony. There is a box on the ceremony registration form where you can indicate whether you have provided pronunciation guidance or if it isn't applicable.
Please only provide guidance if people genuinely may have difficulties pronouncing your name.
Name Changes
Gender-affirming name changes
We want to make your graduation day as special as possible and understand that not all students are known by the name by which they are legally registered. If you have not legally changed your name but do not want your previous name to be read out at graduation, please get in touch with us via email. Please refer to the guidance on ASK regarding name changes and the processes for updating names on your student record.
While your official degree certificate must be in your legally registered name, we can use your preferred name during the graduation ceremony and in the graduation programme.
Cultural name changes
We understand that naming conventions differ across cultural backgrounds, and we can assist in the representation of your name on graduation day. Whilst your official degree certificate must be in your legally registered name as it is an official document, the name announced at graduation upon walking across the stage and printed in the graduation programme can be your preferred name.
Accessibility requests
When registering to graduate, there is a text box where you can record any access requirements you or your guests may have. We will then contact you before your graduation ceremony to discuss how we can best accommodate these requests.
Throughout your graduation day, there are many ways we can support you and your guests, including:
- The option for graduands to register for a wheelchair gown should you be a wheelchair user.
- A ramp onto the graduation stage to make it accessible.
- Providing a pre-ceremony walk through.
- An accessible entrance for guests and students to the Great Hall with a dedicated team on hand to help and support with any additional requirements.
- Allocating appropriate seating in the Great Hall for guests and students who disclose any accessibility or medical requirements.
- A live broadcast venue that is fully accessible.
- Providing additional tickets for carers.
- BSL interpreters at every graduation ceremony.
- Providing disabled parking for blue badge holders on graduation day by the Chaplaincy Centre, with parking attendants on hand to assist.
The Great Hall
The accessible entrance is sign-posted and step-free. You will not need to queue to use this entrance. Once you arrive, inform the security guard you are utilising the accessible entrance. They will then point you to a member of our accessibility team who will aid with check-in and seating.
- The Great Hall is air-conditioned.
- The chairs do not have arms on either side of the Great Hall.
- There is space in the foyer for wheelchair users to pass.
- There are handrails on the stairs down from the stage.
- There is a hearing assistance loop.
Crossing the stage
For many, walking across the stage is the defining moment of their graduation day. We recognise that some students may not wish to greet the presiding officer by shaking their hand upon walking across the stage. Students can acknowledge them in other ways, including touching their hat, bowing their head or placing their arms across their chest.
Dress code
During graduation, students with religious headwear (turbans, for example) do not need to wear a graduation hat. We advise you to relay your preference to the gowning team either when hiring your robes or on the day itself. Some students may choose to wear traditional dress to the ceremony underneath their robes and we actively encourage this.
Communications
All our communications to students via email are written in an accessible font, which is easily distinguishable. Both the graduation registration page and our graduation pages are also accessible.
Logistics
It takes about three minutes to walk between the LICA building and the Great Hall. The surface is flat but slightly bumpy. It is then a further two minutes to walk from the Great Hall to the Margaret Fell Lecture Theatre. You will need to utilise either stairs or a ramp to access the building. Please see the map for more information. The areas around these buildings will be very busy, so you should take this into consideration.
Parking
All parking on Graduation Day is free, and you can find additional disabled parking located by the Chaplaincy Centre. This is a three-minute walk from the Great Hall and four-five minutes from the LICA building, the Round House and Marquee.
Changing Places
The nearest Changing Places accessible toilet is in the LEC building. The toilet is accessible by RADAR key, which can be signed out from the Facilities Helpdesk in University House and the Security Lodge.
The toilet is a seven-minute walk from the Great Hall and five minutes from University House.
Other
Visa applications
Some international students may need to apply for a visa to attend graduation. The University can provide an invitation letter confirming a student's eligibility to attend their ceremony. You will be automatically emailed this letter once you have registered for your ceremony. The University does not provide letters in support of graduation guests' visa applications. The graduating student completes such documents. Further information, together with a template letter to use to support guests' visa applications, is available via Student and Education Services.
Graduating by college
All eligible undergraduate students will graduate by college. Students wishing to change colleges before graduation should apply directly to their College Manager by Friday 21st February 2025. Please note that college transfers are not guaranteed and depend on the availability of vacancies within the receiving college. Colleges will try their best to accommodate any requests.
