Ceremony and receptions
- Information for guests
- Order of ceremony
- After the ceremony
- Bag drop and cloakrooms
- Receptions and food outlets
Also see:
The Ceremony
Don’t forget to collect your reception drink tokens for your ticketed guests and yourself when you collect your academic dress.
Information for guests
Doors will open thirty minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. Graduands should enter the Great Hall via Main Reception, which is located just up the hill from the main Great Hall doors. Please note that this is a different entrance from the guest entrance to the Great Hall, so you will need to ensure that you and your guests all have access to their ticket, either printed out or on a mobile device.
Guests enter via the Sanctuary as signposted, all guests are asked to take their seats at least twenty minutes before the ceremony begins. You can check ceremony start times and find out more about the day's timetable on our website.
Except for guests with specific pre-booked accessible requirements, you are welcome to sit in any seat without a reserved label on it. As Graduands are seated in a separate area of the Great Hall, it is not possible for graduands and guests to sit together.
Order of Ceremony
Each ceremony may differ slightly, but will broadly follow the format listed below.
| Entry of processions | The ceremony will begin with the entry of the processions. Graduands and guests are asked to stand when the music begins, and to remain standing until the processions have taken their places on the stage and the Chancellor/his representative asks you to be seated. |
| Opening Addresses | The Chancellor/his representative will formally open the congregation, and make some opening remarks, followed by a welcoming address by the Vice Chancellor/his representative and a short introduction from the Master of Ceremony. |
| Presentation of first cohort of graduands | The Master of Ceremony will call upon the presenter to present the first cohort of candidates for award. |
| Public Oration and Honorary Award (if applicable) | If your ceremony includes an Honorary Graduate, they will be introduced by a Public Oration and then admitted to their degree by the Chancellor/his representative. They will then be invited to address the congregation. |
| Presentation of second cohort of graduands | Following the Honorary Graduate's response, the second cohort of graduands will cross the stage. |
| Student Vote of Thanks | A representative of the Students' Guild will give a short vote of thanks speech. |
| Closing Address | The Chancellor/their representative will give a closing speech and formally close the congregation. |
| Exit of the Processions | When the music starts, all graduates and guests should stand for the exit of the processions. The Chancellor leaves first, followed by the Chancellor's procession and the Academic procession. Once the processions have left the hall, graduates will be directed to leave by the marshals. |
After the ceremony
At the end of the ceremony, the graduates will process out of the Great Hall first. We ask that guests leave just after the graduands and meet them outside after their cohort photograph.
Wet Weather
In the case of inclement weather, there will be an alternative photography plan, which will be announced at the end of the ceremony. Please follow the instructions of the marshals if this is the case.
Dogs
Please be advised that dogs (except for trained assistance dogs) are not permitted inside the Great Hall or the Forum. We therefore strongly recommend that dogs are not brought to campus during graduation.
Receptions and food outlets
In Streatham, all graduates and guests are invited to a reception (all graduates and ticketed guests are entitled to one free drink with their token) taking place in the Forum Street. This is a chance to celebrate with complimentary refreshments.
Please note that the receptions will last for 1 hour following the end of the ceremony.
For more information on food outlets on our campuses, please see below.
| Outlet | Available Refreshments |
|---|---|
| Market Place, The Forum | Snacks, cold drinks, coffee, pastries, sandwiches, salads, soup and a wide range of other groceries and convenience items. Graduation merchandise is available. |
| OAK | Hot and cold drinks, cakes and snacks |
| The Ram Bar | Full menu including all the usual Ram favourites: basket meals, burgers, sandwiches, salads and of course curly fries! |
| Forum Kitchen | Hot and cold drinks, cakes and snacks, light lunch items, afternoon tea, celebration drinks |
| Isca Eats |
Hot and cold drinks, hot and cold food and snacks. Eat in or takeaway. |
| Reed Hall |
Hot drinks and a range of snacks, light lunches, cakes and pastries in the cafe or book a table in our bar lounge. Book your Graduation lunch here Graduation Lunch at Reed Hall |
| Starbucks | Hot and cold drinks, hot and cold food and snacks. |
| Pret | Hot and cold drinks, hot and cold food and snacks. |
Bag searches
Please note that bags bigger than A4 (21cm x 30cm x19cm), rucksacks and suitcases are not permitted in the Great Hall and we reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone carrying an oversized bag. A security search of bags may be carried out.
Please note the following items are not allowed into our venues:
- Any item which is intended, or adapted to be used as a weapon
- Controlled drugs which are held unlawfully
- Glass bottles or glasses
- Fake/replica/toy weapons
- Laser pens
- Large banners/flags
- Smoke grenades/flares and fireworks
- Any item that may cause disruption to the event or other visitor's experience
Bag Drop location and details
Details to be coming soon.
Lost property
If you lose anything on the day, please visit our lost property website.
