Graduation FAQs
The ceremony
Accordion
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Can I change ceremony?
Unless you have mitigating circumstances, changing ceremony is not possible. If you feel your circumstances are mitigating, please email ceremonies@lancaster.ac.uk.
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Do I need to pay to attend my graduation ceremony?
No, Lancaster University does not charge for graduand or guest tickets. You will, however, need to book a graduation gown for a fee with our supplier Graduation Attire.
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What happens if I am put on a waiting list to attend a ceremony?
We're looking forward to celebrating your achievements with you, but please be aware that capacity within the Great Hall is limited. If you're put on a waiting list, you may be able to choose to join another ceremony or to defer your place.
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I need to defer my attendance – how do I do this?
When you open the registration form via the link inviting you to register, please select the option ‘defer attendance’ from the drop-down menu on the first page. We’ll then record your request to defer and will be in touch ahead of your next available ceremony. Undergraduate degrees are awarded in July and postgraduate taught degrees are awarded in December. PhDs are awarded at both ceremony sessions.
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I registered but I cannot attend my ceremony anymore, what should I do?
If you already have registered for your ceremony but are no longer able to attend, please inform us at ceremonies@lancaster.ac.uk .
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What happens if I indicate that I will be attending my ceremony but do not attend on the day and didn’t advise the Graduation Team beforehand?
If you are not present at your ceremony, your name will still appear in the graduation programme. You will need to get in touch with the Registry Office to inform them that you wish to receive your graduation certificate by post. Your two Great Hall guest tickets will automatically be allocated to any students whose two guests were on the waiting list for tickets.
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What if I am late to my ceremony?
You need to be seated 30 minutes before the ceremony starts. Once the Great Hall doors are closed you will not be able to enter; please go to the Ticket Office within the Great Hall foyer for advice.
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How will I know what to do and when?
Please visit our Graduation Day webpage which provides details on what you need to do in the ceremonies and see further information below. Once the ceremony has started, follow the directions of the marshals who will lead graduands through the proceedings including showing you where to walk and stand.
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How are graduands announced in the ceremony?
Students are presented by name and type of degree only. We do not announce the class of degree attained, nor is it printed in the degree day programme.
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How long will the ceremony last and where does it take place?
A ceremony normally lasts around 1 hour 15 minutes and takes place in the Great Hall.
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Is the ceremony filmed?
Your Graduation Day is a special occasion to celebrate your academic achievements with your peers, family and friends. To enable all of those you hold dear to experience and enjoy the event live wherever they are, all the ceremonies are professionally filmed by our official supplier First Sight Media and broadcast live in various venues around campus as well as on our website.
The footage is recorded and will be available for replay on the Lancaster University YouTube channel. You will also be able to purchase online a DVD of your graduation ceremony on I am a graduate.com
Please note that by registering and attending your graduation ceremony on campus, you and your guests are giving consent for your image to appear on photographs and film. Guests and graduands are not allowed to film the ceremony on any device.
The University will hold and use these images in line with our privacy policy and GDPR guidance.
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Can I take photos during the ceremony?
Guests can take still photos during the ceremony, but not videos. Please refrain from using the flash and stay in your seats to take the photos so that you don’t obstruct the views of others.
All graduands will be photographed on the stage and these images will be available from Creative Studio.
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I am graduating, can I take my handbag and personal items with me in the Great Hall?
No, you must leave any personal items, such as handbags, with your guests. We will only permit phones for the purposes of ticket checks as you will have been sent a QR code to scan. Larger items must be left in the cloakroom in The Roundhouse (Confucius Institute).
On the day - graduands
Accordion
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What happens on graduation day?
Visit our Graduation Day dedicated page to know more about what happens on your very special day.
If you're graduating this July, you can also download our on-the-day leaflet (available soon) which contains all the information you'll need about graduation.
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What do I need to do when I arrive?
- Collect your gown from the LICA building.
- Have your portrait photos taken (if required)
- Visit the stands in the LICA foyer
- Visit the Career and Alumni stands in the Roundhouse and pick up your free Alumni t-shirt!
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It’s nearly time for my ceremony - what do I do?
One hour before your ceremony you must go to the graduand entrance at the Great Hall where you will be seated by our student ushers. At the same time, your guests should go to the guest entrance of the Great Hall, where they will be shown to their seats by our team of ushers. You need to be seated 30 minutes before the ceremony starts. The doors will then close and the ceremony will begin.
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Will there be anything taking place after the ceremony?
College, department or faculty celebrations also take place during graduation, you will be informed directly by your College Manager or Faculty/Departmental Officer.
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Where do I collect my certificate?
Certificates are not presented as part of your ceremony; certificates can be collected in the Roundhouse for July graduates and certificates are posted to December graduates.
If you have any queries about certificates, please email recordsenquiries@lancaster.ac.uk.
Guest tickets and guest information
Guest tickets and information Accordion Accordion
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Do I require a ticket?
Students who are graduating and taking part in the ceremony will automatically be issued with a digital ticket. You only need to request tickets for your guests.
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How do I get guest tickets?
When you register for your ceremony, you will be asked for guest requirements, where you can request up to two guest tickets for the Great Hall which are guaranteed to all students who register before the deadline. You can request up to eight tickets for the live broadcast venue.
All tickets are digital and will be emailed to you. As guests and students enter the ceremony separately, you must make sure that both you and your guests have a copy of your tickets.
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Why can’t I have more guest tickets for the Great Hall?
Space in the Great Hall is limited and we want to ensure all students have access to two tickets and ensure the health and safety of all graduands and guests.
Additional guests beyond the guaranteed two tickets can watch the ceremony from the live broadcast venue.
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When will I receive my guest tickets?
You will receive your guest tickets by email approximately three weeks before your ceremony.
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It's nearly time for the ceremony, where should my guests with Great Hall tickets go?
Your guests should go to the guest entrance of the Great Hall (adjacent to the fountains) one hour before the ceremony starts, where they will be shown to their seats by our team of ushers. Guests will need a copy of their digital ticket to access the ceremony so ensure you have either printed these off or emailed the tickets to your guests.
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Are seats allocated for guests in the Great Hall and the broadcast venue(s)?
Guest seats are not allocated either in the Great Hall or the broadcast venue(s) and are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. If your guests have any access requirements please add these details in your registration form and/or contact us at ceremonies@lancaster.ac.uk
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When must my guests be seated by?
Guests must be seated in the Great Hall no later than 30 minutes before the ceremony start time. Late guests will unfortunately not be allowed in the ceremony and will be shown to the live broadcast venue to watch the ceremony.
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Can children attend the ceremony and do they need a ticket?
Up to two children aged six and under will be permitted entry on an accompanying adult’s guest ticket and may sit on a knee. Children aged seven or over will require a standard guest ticket to gain entry to the Great Hall. Children are welcome to attend the ceremonies, however, we respectfully ask that they are taken outside of the Great Hall if they become unsettled.
Please note that we cannot accommodate any prams / pushchairs in the Great Hall due to health and safety regulations. We have a dedicated area in the foyer of the Great Hall where guests may leave pushchairs.
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Where is the live broadcast of the ceremony for guests who don’t have tickets for the Great Hall?
The live broadcast will take place in the Margaret Fell Lecture Theatre and the Faraday Lecture Theatre which are just a couple of minutes’ walk from the Great Hall, visit MazeMap for directions. Please request tickets for this venue when you register for your ceremony.
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Are dogs and other pets allowed on campus during graduation?
The University is a diverse community and takes its responsibilities for the welfare of all staff and students seriously. In the interest of fairness to everyone, dogs and any other domestic animals, are not permitted in University buildings or grounds. The only exception to this rule is for assistance and working dogs.
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Where can I find food and drinks during graduation?
A variety of catering outlets are located across campus and some college bars are open throughout graduation.
You can find more details about the food and drinks outlets as well as their location and opening times here: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/eat/outlets/
Travel
Travel Accordion Accordion
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Where do we park?
You can park in any space in North, South or South-West Campus. We expect North Campus to fill up quickly, in which case you can catch the free shuttle bus from South or South-West Campus to bring you to North Campus, the Great Hall and LICA.
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Do I need to pay to park on campus?
There are no parking charges on graduation day, and you can disregard any staff or visitor parking signs.
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What are the best arrangements for disabled/wheelchair access?
Drop off as close to the Great Hall as possible; blue badge parking is available outside the Chaplaincy Centre. Further accessible parking spaces are marked on the map. Please ask at the Great Hall ticket office if you require assistance with access into the Hall.
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What if I and/or my guests are travelling from abroad?
If you and/or your family and friends are travelling from outside the UK to attend your graduation ceremony please visit the Graduation Section on our visa and immigration page for detailed information.
When you register for your ceremony, you will receive an email confirmation with a letter attached that confirms your eligibility to attend a graduation ceremony. This letter can be used as a supporting document for a visa application. Please note that we cannot provide letters to support any guest visa applications.
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I need a letter confirming my eligibility to apply for a visa – how do I get this?
We’re aware that visa applications are taking longer than usual to process. As such, if you require a supporting document for your visa application, please email ceremonies@lancaster.ac.uk with the subject line ‘visa letter’. Please note that we cannot provide letters to support any guest visa applications.
Gowning
Gowning Accordion Accordion
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How do I order my graduation gown?
You can book your gown on Graduation Attire's website. You will find this link in the email you received inviting you to register for your graduation as well.
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Where and when do I collect my gown on my graduation day?
You can collect and return your graduation attire from the LICA building at the following times:
· For 10:30 am ceremonies: From 5 pm-6 pm the day before, or from 8:30 am on the day of the ceremony.
· For 1:45 pm ceremonies: From 11:15 am on the day of the ceremony.
· For 4:30 pm ceremonies: From 2:00 pm on the day of the ceremony.
Gowns must be returned by 7 pm to the Roundhouse (A09 - Confucius Institute) after your ceremonies and pictures.
You should arrive to collect your gown at least 2.5 hours before your ceremony, or 1 hour before your college photo or college or faculty celebration- whichever is earliest. Please note that LICA will be particularly busy 1 hour before a ceremony.
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I’ve forgotten to order my gown in advance – what do I do?
Please go to the LICA building as soon as you arrive on campus and speak to the gowning team (please note that you will need to pay an on-the-day charge in addition to the standard cost of hiring the gown).
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Where and when do I need to return my gown?
Gowns need to be returned by 7pm at the Roundhouse on the day of your Graduation.
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What do all the different colours on the hoods mean?
The stripes on the hood vary in colour depending on the degree i.e., MA, MSc etc. You can see the designs on our graduation webpages, in the Academic Dress section.
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What happens with my gown booking if I can't attend my ceremony due to train strikes?
- Please contact Graduation Attire directly regarding refunds for gown hire via service@graduationattire.co.uk
- If you cancel more than seven days before the ceremony a full refund is provided.
- A 50% refund is provided when cancellation occurs within the week before the ceremony.
- No refund can be provided when cancellation occurs on the day of the ceremony.
- If there are exceptional circumstances and you cannot attend your ceremony, please inform the University's Graduation Team at ceremonies@lancaster.ac.uk and your gown booking can be deferred until the ceremony session.
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Please note: once the cancellation request has been sent, students cannot re-book onto the same graduation period should they find an alternative means of transport.
Photography and memorabilia
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Where do I get my portrait photo taken on the day?
Lancaster University's Creative Studio is the official University photographer and are based in LICA.
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Where do I find more information about graduation photography?
Visit Creative Studio's Graduation Photography dedicated page for more information.
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Is it possible to take pictures in the Great Hall?
You may take photographs but please stay seated so you do not obstruct the view of other guests.
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Is it possible to film the ceremony in the Great Hall?
Filming on any device is not permitted in The Great Hall. Ceremonies are available watch on our YouTube Channel. You can also order a copy of your ceremony via iamagraduate.com.
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Where can I purchase University gifts?
You will find Lancaster University branded memorabilia to purchase on the day of your graduation in LICA. You can also purchase gifts from the University's online store.
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Will I receive a printed programme for my graduation day?
All graduands will find a printed graduation programme on their seat in the Great Hall. There is a limited supply of extra programmes for guests that will be available at the Great Hall and broadcast venue(s) subject to availability.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi on campus Accordion
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Can my guests get Wi-Fi on campus?
Wi-Fi is free on campus for guests. Look for LU-Visitor in your list of Wi-Fi networks. During registration, you will be asked to agree to the terms and conditions and you will be sent an email. Click on the enclosed link and you will be given 24-hour free visitor Wi-Fi access.