ucl phd graduation ceremony

Graduation Ceremonies

Graduation ceremonies 2023 Terms & Conditions

By applying to attend the 2023 UCL Graduation Ceremonies the Student is agreeing to the following:

Students are asked to read through and understand the Terms and Conditions below and to contact the UCL Graduation Ceremonies Team if they have any queries by emailing  [email protected] .

Please note that these Terms and Conditions were updated by UCL on 24/04/23

Location, Date and Time of Ceremony

• The July  Graduation Ceremonies and Receptions will take place at The ExCel Centre, 1 Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London E16 1XL.
• The September  Graduation Ceremonies and Receptions will take place at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX.
• The dates and times of all Graduation Ceremonies and Receptions are finalised as detailed on the Schedule page . 
• It is anticipated that the confirmed Graduation Ceremonies and Receptions  time and date will be emailed to students by the UCL Graduation Ceremonies Team by mid-April 2023 for those registering for July 2023 ceremonies and mid-July 2023 for those registering for September 2023 ceremonies (such confirmation email being referred to in these terms and conditions as the Confirmation Mailing).
• Students and any anticipated Guests are strongly advised not to make any travel or accommodation arrangements until the Confirmation Mailing is received. UCL is not responsible and accepts no liability for any costs including but not limited to travel or accommodation costs that are incurred by Students and Guests.

Student Registration for Tickets

• Attendance at a UCL Graduation Ceremony and Reception is not mandatory and has no impact on the awarding of a Student’s degree. Degree certificates may be  presented at some of the Graduation Ceremonies for undergraduate students in September, but this is not guaranteed. If degree certificates are not presented at a Graduation Ceremony or a Student does not attend a Graduation Ceremony, then degree certificates  are posted to those Students up to five months following the awarding of their degree.
• Student Tickets for the Graduation Ceremonies and Receptions will only be issued to eligible Students. UCL strongly recommends Students look at the website for further information about eligibility:  www.ucl.ac.uk/graduation
• In order to attend their Graduation Ceremony and Reception, Students MUST first register to attend their Graduation Ceremony and Reception before the deadline of 5pm (BST) on Friday 5th May 2023 by logging into Portico and completing the form. Students who submit their application after the deadline are not guaranteed attendance at any UCL Graduation Ceremony or Reception. No Student Ticket will be reserved until the application has been completed in full by a Student. Students attend their Graduation Ceremony and Reception free of charge.
• The Confirmation Mailing sent to Students will give a web-link to the Graduation Portal. In addition to initially registering to attend the Graduation Ceremony and Reception on Portico, Students MUST also log into the Graduation Portal and create a profile within the timescales set out in the Confirmation Mailing (ie by Thursday 25th May for the July ceremonies )  in order for the Students’ attendance at their Graduation Ceremony to be confirmed and for Students to be included in the running order of crossing the stage for graduation at their Graduation Ceremony.  
• Guest Tickets per Student will be available to purchase at a later date. Further information is set out in the Guest Tickets section below.  
• Due to the year on year increase in the number of Students eligible to attend the Graduation Ceremonies and venue capacity restrictions, UCL is not able to automatically guarantee to offer the deferral of Graduation Ceremony and Reception attendance.

Guest Tickets 

• Guests due to attend a Graduation Ceremony and Reception must have a Guest Ticket.
• The timeline for purchasing Guest Tickets will be set out in the Confirmation Mailing. Students must  purchase Guest Tickets during the allocated timeline.  
• All Guest Tickets must be purchased through UCL’s Guest Ticket provider, which UCL will confirm once registration for the Graduation Ceremonies has closed.  
• There is no limit on the number of Guest Tickets a Student may purchase.  These Guest Tickets are sold strictly on a first come first serve basis and sales will close when all Guest Tickets have been sold.
• If there are any Guest Tickets still available for a particular Graduation Ceremony and Reception, these tickets will be available to purchase in person on the day of the Graduation Ceremony  at the Graduation Ceremony venue. On the day tickets will be sold on a first come first serve basis. No Guest Tickets can be reserved prior to the Guest Tickets going on sale.
• Guest Tickets cost £35 each.
• Full terms and conditions for the purchase of Guest Tickets can be viewed at the point of purchasing from UCL’s Guest Ticket supplier.

Ticket Refunds & Transfers

• Students wishing to cancel any or all of their Guest Tickets must request a refund through UCL Ceremonies by emailing  [email protected] . 
• Refunds must be requested up to 7 days before the Graduation Ceremony date.
• Refunds for Guest Tickets will be subject to the deduction of an administration fee equivalent to £2.50 per ticket.
• Student Tickets are non-transferrable. A Student who decides that they can no longer attend their Graduation Ceremony cannot give their Student Ticket to another Student.
• A Student must have their own Student Ticket to be able to graduate at the Graduation Ceremony. A Student who only has a Guest Ticket and no Student Ticket cannot graduate at the Graduation Ceremony.
• Guest Tickets can be transferred to another guest other  than the person named at point of purchase, but only for the same Graduation Ceremony that the Guest Ticket was purchased for, without the need to inform UCL. Due to needing to monitor venue capacity and seating arrangements, Guest Tickets are not transferable between Graduation Ceremonies. A Guest cannot attend a Graduation Ceremony or Reception on a Student Ticket.

Academic Dress

• Academic Dress for Students is mandatory at UCL Graduation Ceremonies.
• UCL will confirm who it has appointed to supply Academic Dress for the UCL summer 2023 Graduation Ceremonies once registration for the Graduation Ceremonies has closed. The terms and conditions including the charge to hire or purchase Academic Dress can be viewed when hiring or purchasing your gown.

Children and Babies

• Children are welcome at UCL Graduation Ceremonies, however, from previous experience, UCL advises that the Graduation Ceremonies are not wholly suitable for babies or young children as they are long, formal occasions.
• Children aged 3 and over who are attending a Graduation Ceremony and Reception must have their own Guest Ticket.
• Students should clearly indicate when they purchase Guest Tickets if any Guests Tickets are being purchased for a child under the age of five or if a Guest shall be bringing a child under the age of three years old so appropriate seating can be allocated.

Data Protection, Filming and Photography

• Please see  UCL's Local Privacy Notice for the Graduations 2023  for information about how UCL handles student personal data.
• Please see  UCL’s student privacy notice  for more information about how UCL handles student data.
• To protect the privacy of student personal data, the Graduation Ceremonies Team can only discuss a Student’s Graduation Ceremony attendance with the Student.
• Students who attend a Graduation Ceremony will have their name announced at the Graduation Ceremony as detailed in the “phonetic pronunciation” field detailed in the registration via the Graduation Portal.  If a Student has a query about how their name will be announced they should email the UCL Graduation Ceremonies team at  [email protected] . The UCL Graduation Ceremonies team will endeavour to pass on information on preferred pronunciation of Student’s names to the name reader in that Student’s Graduation Ceremony, but cannot guarantee it will be followed if it is not provided through the Graduation Portal.
• Each Graduation Ceremony will be professionally filmed and livestreamed in its entirety.
• UCL may use footage from the Graduation Ceremonies for marketing purposes, including media postings and online postings. Please see  UCL’s student privacy notice   and  UCL's Local Privacy Notice for the Graduations 2023   for more information about how UCL handles student personal data.
• Flash photography within the Graduation Ceremony venue and video recording of the Graduation Ceremony by Students and Guests is strictly prohibited.
• Further information on any UCL organised filming and/or photography at the Graduation Ceremony and Reception will be provided prior to your Graduation Ceremony.
• Students who apply to attend a Graduation Ceremony may have their first name, initials, surname and degree title listed in a souvenir programme. It may also appear on some UCL merchandise. A Student must inform UCL, in writing by emailing the Graduation Ceremonies team at  [email protected]  and before the ticket application deadline (5pm (BST) Friday 5th May  2023), if a Student would like their information withheld from the programme and merchandise. All information will be taken directly from Portico

Tuition Fee Debts

• Student tuition fees debts to UCL must be settled in full prior to a Student’s attendance at their Graduation Ceremony. If you are concerned how a tuition fees debt will affect your attendance please email the Student Fees team at:  [email protected]
• If any Student tuition fee debt has not been cleared in full within one week of a Student’s Graduation Ceremony UCL reserves the right to refuse a Student and associated Guests entry to the Graduation Ceremony

Right to Refuse Entry and Removal from the Venue

• The Academic Manual and Student Code of Conduct applies to Students attending Graduation Ceremonies and Receptions. UCL reserves the right to refuse entry to any Students not abiding by the Academic Manual and/or Student Code of Conduct, prior to or during the event.
• UCL reserves the right to refuse admission, re-admission or attendance to any Student or Guest to the Graduation Ceremony and Receptions. UCL reserves the right to ask any person to leave the Graduation Ceremony and Reception venue including if they act in any manner which is disruptive to the proceedings or to other attendees. No ticket refunds will be available in such circumstances.
• Students and Guests must abide by any instructions of UCL and any applicable rules, regulations, guidelines and policies, including fire, health and safety regulations, in relation to their attendance at the Graduation Ceremony and Receptions.
• Students must arrive, register, dress in Academic Dress and be seated in the auditorium before the start of the Graduation Ceremony. Guests must be seated before the start of the Graduation Ceremony.
• Students who arrive late may lose their place in the Graduation Ceremony to have their name read out alongside their cohort and will have their name read out at the end of the ceremony instead.

Accessible Seating

• The Student agrees that any Accessible Seating requirements for themselves, such as wheelchair access, sight or sound facilities should be submitted on the Graduation Portal when the Student is confirming their attendance on that portal,  so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
• A hearing loop system will be accessible during the Graduation Ceremony and live captioning will be provided during the ceremony.
• The Student agrees that any Accessible Seating requirements for Guests, such as wheelchair access, sight or sound facilities are submitted at the point of Guest Ticket purchase so that appropriate seats can be allocated to Guests.

Additional Terms

Additional information relating to Graduation Ceremonies and Receptions can be found here:  www.ucl.ac.uk/graduation

• UCL reserves the right to cancel any Graduation Ceremony and Reception for reasons beyond its control, including but not limited to by reason of war, fire, flood, storm, explosion, act of God, failure or shortage of power supplies, national emergency, labour dispute, strike, civil disturbance, acts or threats of terrorism, non-performance by suppliers or subcontractors, serious illness or pandemic, national or London-based lockdown or any other cause or event not within the control of UCL (including without limitation the actions of any authority or body whose approval or licence is required for the Graduation Ceremonies and Receptions, issues arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, or the evacuation of the whole or any part of the ceremony venue by reason of emergency). In such circumstances, UCL shall not have any liability to the Students or Guests.
• UCL may update these terms and conditions and any guidance on Graduation Ceremonies and Receptions at any time.

Failure to comply with any of the above Terms and Conditions may result in the Student and their Guests losing their places at the Graduation Ceremony and Reception.

When registering, Students will be asked to accept the Terms and Conditions and will not be able to purchase tickets without doing this.

2023 Graduation Ceremony Glossary

• Academic Dress or Robes - The collective term for the cap, hood and gown worn by Students and Academic staff. It is mandatory for Students to wear academic dress when they are presented on stage at their Graduation Ceremony.
• Accessible Seating - Students and/or Guests who have access requirements.
• BST - British Summer Time.
• Confirmation Mailing - The correspondence sent to Students by email by the UCL Graduation Ceremonies Team notifying them of the confirmed and final date and time of their ceremony, which will only be sent once all Student registrations have been processed.
• Guest - a person who is a family member and/or friend of a Student who holds a Guest Ticket.
• Portico – the UCL Student record system.
• Student - A student who has met all the eligibility criteria and has been invited to apply to attend the UCL Graduation Ceremonies.
• Student Ticket - A designated ticket to be used solely by the Student which is not transferable to any other Student or Guest.
• Guest Ticket - A ticket that is purchased by the Student for a Guest.
• Reception - The drinks celebration which takes place immediately after the Graduation Ceremony. Students and Guest Tickets grant access to this.

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UCL Graduations 2023: how staff can make them an occasion to remember

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• UCL University College London PhD Graduation Gown Set - Gown, Hood and

UCL University College London PhD Graduation Gown Set - Gown, Hood and Bonnet

• Certified Australian-made, tailored by us in Melbourne.
• Fabrics selected by us for the perfect weight and drape of academic dress.
• Quality garment construction techniques and reinforced hand-pleating.
• Perfectly-pressed vivid faculty colours.
• Gowns sent to you with a complimentary robe bag for garment care.

All our academic dress is made to university specifications.  We guarantee the quality of our garments and after-sales service.

University College London PhD graduates wear a silver-grey gown with fully lined silver-grey sleeves and red facings. Each sleeve features a red cord and button. The matching silver-grey hood is also lined in red. The black bonnet has a silver-grey cord and tassels.

Due to popular demand, our website now caters for international orders.

Refer to the tabs below for information regarding gown sizing, headwear sizing, our fabric types and garment care advice.

Our family have been making regalia for 75 years. Thank-you for supporting Australian made.

We look forward to being of service!

Fabric Type

Our most popular and affordable gown fabric. Lightweight, easily worn over clothing, comfortable in both humid and cool climates. Matt-finish for a smart, dignified look. 170gsm, selected by us for the perfect weight and drape of academic dress.

Gown sizing is determined by your height (floor to top of head). If you are in-between sizes, we recommend the larger size. Gowns are worn open at the front and are very loose-fitting, so don't worry about the waistline - just go by your height!

Head size is head circumference taken above the eyebrows and ears. Use a tape measure.

*Soft cap mortar boards are slightly elasticised with a little room between sizes. If you are in-between sizes, we recommend the larger size. ie: if you measure 57.5cms, choose a size large.  Head sizing can be tricky. You are welcome to exchange size within 7 days of receiving. 

We use Australia Post for domestic orders and DHL express for international orders. The charges below include shipping and handling $AUD.  

Prices may be subject to change without notice.

Domestic shipping: refer to Australia post for delivery time estimates. Australia post no longer guarantee delivery time frames. Use the tracking number provided to track your parcel on the Australia post website. If there is reason to believe your parcel has gone missing, contact us for assistance. Do not assume that selecting express post means your order will be dispatched within a few days. A lot of our regalia is made to order. Refer lead time tab.

International shipping: international freight is expensive however we only use DHL express for reliability, speed and security. Additional freight charges may apply if your order is unusually large. We will contact you if additional freight charges may apply. Our international freight charges do not include any duties or taxes at your end.

If you would like your regalia for a particular ceremony date, contact us to ask about availability.

Please be aware that most regalia is bespoke and tailor made. We have a made-to-order, small-batch production cycle.

We aim to fulfil all orders within a reasonable time frame, however lead times can be situational, seasonal and will vary depending on our production schedule. 

Please do not assume that by selecting express post that your order will be dispatched within a few days. We are not a pick-and-pack warehouse. 

Please do not assume that we know you want your regalia in time for a ceremony, that we know the date of your ceremony, or that you will receive your regalia in time for your ceremony (refer points below). We recommend having a contingency plan; hire or borrow regalia from a friend, a colleague or your institution.

We cannot control shipping time once a parcel leaves our premises (see shipping tab). 

Some things that are out of our control may delay production. We take all steps necessary to avoid delays but materials and deliveries delay, staff shortages, machine malfunctions, and natural disasters are out of our control. 

Putting pressure on our staff will not make your order be processed more quickly. We do not tolerate unreasonable, impatient or aggressive behaviour.

We thank you for your patience and understanding as our production team work hard to try to meet everyone's requirements. 

Be sure to follow the laundering instructions on the care label of your garment. 

Our garments come to you pressed and ready-to-wear with minimal creasing from freight. However, we do recommend hanging your garment when not in use and if required, gently iron or steam your robe. (Do not put an iron directly onto any satin lining or facing!)

Every George H Lilley Regalia gown comes with a complimentry robe bag. We recommend using this bag for storeage and travel. Allowing your garment to air regularly will assist to keep your gown in best condition.

Particular care is required if your garment has satin linings or facings. In this case, we recommend that your academic regalia is worn in ceremonies only. Avoid eating or drinking while wearing your regalia as the satin may stain. Take care when handling as pinning or your fingernails could damage the fabric.

If at any time you are not sure on the best of care for your garment then please contact us, the manufacturer, for advice.

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Congratulations! Your graduation is a moment to celebrate the culmination of your studies.

Featured content

We intend to host the next University of London graduation ceremonies on Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 April 2024 at The Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London .

All those eligible to attend graduation will start to receive invitations to the graduation ceremonies by the end of 2023. While you may have completed your assessments, invitations will only be sent out once your award has been approved and ratified by our transcripts team.

Key points to remember when you get your invitation: 

• Book your tickets online. 
• Book your official gown (and photography, if you wish) - you must have a gown to graduate 
• The general invitation letter should not be used to support your Visa application, as we may be asked by the authorities about your visa application and your booking 
• If you need a Visa support letter, you can request this from us through the online ticket booking system when you receive an invitation from us. 
• Visa support letters are sent out only when we receive full payment for tickets 
• Check that names of guests for Visa support letters are correct when making the request.  
• The University can only issue Visa support letters and answer enquiries from official agencies about the event – we are not able to intervene in individual cases 
• The graduation ceremony may be webcast, and photographs will be taken on the day 
• We assume that all students grant permission for the University and associated bodies to webcast the event and to use photographs taken on the day in publications and social media unless we are informed in writing 

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2023 Graduation Ceremonies

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Ceremony Information

All ceremony dates and times for the June 2024 Commencement can be found at the campus’s  main commencement website.

All ceremonies are reserved for students who are eligible to participate.  You are eligible to participate in June Commencement events if:

• You completed all degree requirements and graduated in Fall 2023 or Winter 2024; or
• You are declared to graduate in Spring 2024 or Summer 2024.

A  Graduation Checklist  is available to explain the process of graduating from UCLA and participating in commencement.

Class of 2024: A Collection of Resources for Graduating Seniors

The Class of 2024 webpage will be a one-stop shop for graduating seniors that includes resources on campus and beyond to assist with the transition from student to alumnus. The page will offer information, programs and services specifically for the Class of 2024. Be sure to check out the webpage when it becomes available closer to June 2024.

COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES:

The College Commencement is a ceremony that takes place in Pauley Pavilion on the Friday of commencement weekend.  We offer the ceremony at three times (11:00 am, 3:00 pm, and 7:00 pm), and the Chancellor confers your degree at this event.  The ceremony lasts approximately an hour and a half after the graduates have been seated on the floor of Pauley Pavilion.

The ceremonies recognize the bachelor’s degree recipients in the College of Letters and Science only.  There is no recognition of each individual graduate at this ceremony:  No names are read, and no graduates cross the stage.  There is a Distinguished Alumni Keynote speaker, a student speaker, and student singers, and the College Deans present their graduates from the Class of 2024 to a stadium filled with cheering graduates and guests.

All members of the Class sit together to celebrate, so you can attend with your friends from the College who aren’t completing your specific major program.  In the departmental ceremonies, graduates cross the stage and receive individual recognition, and these events are focused only on the graduates in your degree program.  You can attend either or both of these ceremonies.  All ceremonies are optional; there is no requirement to participate in any commencement ceremony. Diplomas are not handed out during any ceremony. You may request to have your diploma mailed to your home address or pick up in person via the Registrar’s Office.

Graduates attending the College Commencement must arrive one hour early for their procession into the Pauley Pavilion stadium.  Their guests must take their seats in the stands one hour early, to watch the graduates arrive onto the floor of Pauley Pavilion. .  If your guests include friends and family who will require accommodations for disability, please consult the Disability Accommodation page.

DEPARTMENTAL CEREMONIES:

At the departmental ceremonies, graduates will have an opportunity to cross the stage when their name is read and thus receive individual recognition.  After your name is read, you must return directly to your seat.  That way, all graduates receive the same acknowledgement for their accomplishment from everyone in attendance.  Graduates may not leave the event until all graduates have crossed the stage and the ceremony has been called to a close. Diplomas are not handed out during any ceremony. You may request to have your diploma mailed to your home address or pick up in person via the Registrar’s Office.

Please see the   TICKETING   page for information about the ticketing process.

Please see the campus’s main   COMMENCEMENT PAGE   for the schedule of ceremonies and other important information.

If you or your guests require an accommodation, please see the   DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION   page for more information.

To plan for the day of the ceremony, please review the Final Planning Information – forthcoming . Final Planning Information .-->

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UCLA Graduate Programs

2023 Doctoral Hooding Ceremony

Dr. Emma Pérez delivered the inaugural address at UCLA doctoral hooding ceremony.

Author, activist, professor and UCLA alum Emma Pérez delivered the keynote address at the UCLA doctoral hooding ceremony on Thursday, June 15, at 3 pm in Royce Hall.

“I’m thrilled to be the inaugural speaker for the doctoral hooding ceremony of the 2023 graduating class. As an alum of UCLA, I still treasure my training on campus, and I’m honored to celebrate a new generation of young scholars with talent, fortitude, and wit (because you’ll need it).” “Your Ph.D. hooding represents the culmination of a long, arduous quest, a quest that demonstrates resilience and hope. I truly believe you are warriors prepared to fight for a better, healthier world. I feel fortunate to be invited to address you on such a momentous day of your lives. “

A triple Bruin, Dr. Emma Pérez earned her undergraduate degree in political science and women’s studies and her master’s and doctorate in history. She is currently Research Social Scientist at the Southwest Center and Professor in the Department of Gender and Women’s Studies at the University of Arizona.

Pérez’s first literary work, Gulf Dreams , published in 1996, is a coming-of-age story set in a small racist Texas town and is considered one of the first Chicana lesbian novels in print.

Her second novel, published in 2009, Forgetting the Alamo, Or Blood Memory , is a historical fiction set against the backdrop of the 1836 Alamo and San Jacinto battles. It is a tale of travel and adventure that narrates the story of a young cross-dressing Tejana and her romance with a black, indigenous woman, both of whom are witnesses to the racial complexities of the southwest during this turbulent period. Forgetting the Alamo won the Christopher Isherwood Writing Grant in 2009, the National Association for Chicana/Chicano Studies Regional Book Award for fiction in 2011 and was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Awards in 2010. Pérez sat for artist Don Bachardy at his home in Santa Monica, which he shared with writer Christopher Isherwood as part of the Isherwood Award.

Her third book, Electra’s Complex, is an erotic murder mystery set on a university campus that features the sexual adventures of a Chicana lesbian professor, her transman best friend, and the detective assigned to the case.  Currently, she is completing a dystopic novella, Testimony of a Shifter , detailing the lives of sex-shifting rebels resisting a corrupt global world order, forthcoming in 2024.

Her academic book, The Decolonial Imaginary: Writing Chicanas into History (1999) is a significant work that explores the marginalized history and experiences of Chicanas. The book critically examines the dominant narratives and historical accounts that have excluded or misrepresented marginalized communities. Pérez emphasizes the importance of decolonizing the collective imagination and reconstructing historical narratives to include diverse voices and perspectives. By shedding light on their struggles, resistance, and contributions, Pérez challenges the prevailing historical framework and aims to create a more inclusive and accurate understanding of history. Pérez’s theoretical formation connects Chicana and women of color feminist thought to the work of Michel Foucault and postcolonial theorists. She is considered one of the founding theorists of Chicana feminism.

Her most recent publication is a collection of previously published essays and poems titled, Queering the Border (2023).

In 2020, Emma Pérez was inducted into the Texas Institute of Letters, a distinguished honor society founded in 1936 to celebrate Texas literature and to recognize distinctive literary achievements.

Ceremony Information for Candidates

Ceremony information for faculty, ceremony information for guests.

View the 2023 Doctoral Hooding Ceremony Webcast

Photo Gallery

View the 2023 Doctoral Hooding Ceremony Photo Gallery

Ceremony Program

View the 2023 Doctoral Hooding Ceremony Program

Keynote Speech

Read Dr. Emma Pérez Keynote Speech

General Information

Visit the UCLA Commencement site to view the schedule of all UCLA commencement ceremonies, directions, maps, and other pertinent information.

UCLA Commencement Schedule 2024 (Tentative)

• College Commencement Ceremony
• UCLA Departmental Graduations
• Professional School Ceremonies
• Samueli School of Engineering
• Graduation Celebrations

College of Letters & Science: Main Commencement Ceremony  

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Key information about graduating and attending your ceremony

In this article:

• Ceremony dates
• Attending your ceremony

Booking tickets

Keeping up to date with ceremony news

Proving your graduated status

Further support

Invitations for Summer ceremonies will be sent in mid-April.

Important to know: graduation ceremonies are taking place at the Royal Festival Hall and Southwark Cathedral, and some Faculties are hosting graduations at both venues. If you don’t see your course listed under your Faculty, please check the other venue.

Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences

Thursday 4 July, 14.15

Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine

Friday 5 July, 10.15 and 14.15

School of Medical Education

Dickson Poon School of Law

Friday 2 August, 10.30

Faculty of Arts & Humanities

Monday 29 July, 10.30 Departments of:

• Digital Humanities 
• Film Studies 
• Liberal Arts
• Literature, Languages & Culture 
• Music  
• Philosophy 
• Theology & Religious Studies 

Wednesday 31 July, 10.30 Departments of: 

• Department of Culture, Media & Creative Industries

Tuesday 30 July, 14.00

Undergraduate programmes in:

• Physiotherapy

Postgraduate Research & Postgraduate Taught departments in:

• Cancer Studies Research Division
• Institute of Pharmaceutical Science
• Analytical & Environmental Sciences Research Division
• Biochemistry
• Cardiovascular Research Division
• Clinical Education & Centre for Education 
• Health & Social Care Research Division
• Immunology, Infection & Inflammatory Disease Research Division
• Transplantation Immunology & Mucosal Biology Research Division
• Asthma Allergy & Lung Biology Research Division
• Women's Health Research Division
• Population Health and Environmental Sciences
• Medical Education Research Division

King’s Digital courses in FoLSM

Thursday 1 August, 14.00 School of Bioscience Education only.

• Biomedical Science
• Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences
• Intercalated courses 

Thursday 1 August 17.30

• Anatomy 
• Biomedical Engineering
• Genetics 
• Nutrition 
• Neuroscience Education 
• Pharmacology & Therapeutics
• Centre of Human & Aerospace Physiological Sciences (CHAPS)
• Genetics & Molecular Medicine Research Division
• Randall Division of Cell & Molecular Biophysics
• Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences 
• Nutrition & Dietetics
• Diabetes & Nutritional Sciences Research Division

Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences

Tuesday 30 July, 10.30

Departments of: Mathematics Informatics 

Department of Engineering

Wednesday 31 July, 14.00

Departments of: Chemistry Physics

Faculty of Social Sciences & Public Policy

Wednesday 31 July, 14.00 School of Security Studies

Wednesday 31 July, 17.30 Schools of: Global Affairs Education, Communication & Society

Friday 2 August, 14.00 School of Politics & Economics Policy Institute (ISfG)

Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care

Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry & Neuroscience

Monday 29 July, 14.00 All in-person Postgraduate Research, Postgraduate Taught and Undergraduate courses King’s Digital: Applied Neuroscience students only

Thursday 1 August, 14.00 King’s Digital: Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health students

King's Business School

Thursday 1 August, 10.30

All Undergraduate programmes

Postgraduate taught programmes in:

• Human Resource Management & Organisational Behaviour
• Marketing (including King’s Digital Marketing programmes)
• Strategic Entrepreneurship
• Public Policy & Management
• International Management
• Executive Management

Thursday 1 August, 17.30

Postgraduate Research students

• Banking, Economics & Finance
• Accounting, Accountability & Financial Management
• King’s Digital programmes in Finance & Banking

When will my ceremony take place?

For undergraduate and postgraduate taught students:

• If you have completed your studies or you’re expecting to complete your studies between January and July , you will be eligible for the July ceremonies .
• If you have completed between August and December you are eligible for the January ceremonies .
• If you are/were awarded between 2 May and the 1 November , you will be invited to attend a ceremony in January .
• If you are/were awarded between 2 November and the 1 May , you will be invited to attend a ceremony in July .

Important to know:  For King's Digital students, only awarded students will be sent invites to a ceremony and you should not attempt to book if you are not awarded.

If you are a student studying on a Postgraduate Research course your eligibility to attend a ceremony will be determined by your date of award: 

• If you are/were awarded between December and June , you will be invited to attend a ceremony in July . 
• If you are/were awarded between July and November , you will be invited to attend a ceremony in January . 

Important to know: Only awarded students will be sent an invite to a ceremony and so invitations will only arrive after your award is conferred. Therefore, students whose award conferral dates are 1 June or 1 December will receive their invitation close to the closing date of the booking period. We advise Postgraduate Research students to understand when your award is likely to be conferred and to get in touch with us through our contact form if you believe an invitation has not been sent as scheduled.

When will I receive my invitation?

• Invitations will be sent in mid-April for July ceremonies .
• Invitations will be sent in mid-November for January ceremonies .

If you have not received anything from us in the relevant period for your ceremony, please get in touch with us through our contact form .

Can I defer my place to a future ceremony?

All students  will have the opportunity to defer to a ceremony in the following session.  This can be done through the booking task once you have received your invite.

Important to know:  You are only permitted to defer once after which point it will not be possible to include you in a ceremony. 

From October 2023, students whose graduation was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are no longer eligible to attend a graduation ceremony. This is to ensure there is sufficient space for current graduating students.

I need a visa to attend my ceremony; what do I do?

We understand that some students will need to apply for another visa in order to attend their ceremony.

As part of the online booking process, you will be able to request a Visa Assistance Letter to assist the visa application process for yourself or your guests. This will be shared with you in your graduation ceremony invitation email.

Important to know: Visa Assistance letters produced by the Events team cannot be used to support a visa extension application. For support with this, please check Visa assistance for your graduation ceremony .

Can I reclaim costs for flights or accommodation if I am unable to attend a ceremony?

The university is unable to help with the reimbursement of flights, accommodation, or any costs associated with attending your graduation ceremony.

Please speak to your travel/accommodation provider in the first instance. We would advise all attendees to ensure cancellation is available on any bookings.

For information on booking tickets for you and guests, please refer to  Key information about booking tickets and preparing for your graduation ceremony  

How can I ensure I have access to my Student Record?

Please ensure that you have updated your Student Record  with a personal email address, as this will be how we contact you regarding future updates. If you experience any difficulties in accessing Student Records, please refer to our troubleshooting guidance in I need help accessing my student record . The email address listed on Student Records will be the one at which we contact you going forward, so please ensure this is up to date if you wish to continue receiving communications regarding your re-arranged ceremony.

I’m a parent or guest of a graduating student. How can I keep up to date with the latest information regarding what options are available?

We know that graduation ceremonies can be just as important to parents and supporters as they are to our students themselves.

We will keep information up to date in this article, so please do check back regularly.

Will I still receive my degree certificate?

All graduates will receive their certificates by post within 3 months of the date of your award. Please ensure your home address is updated on your student record, as this is where the certificate will be sent. We hope that your certificate will reach you sooner, but please be aware that this window allows for postal delays, international shipping and other unforeseen issues.

For updates and more specific information about degree certificates, please see Your Degree Certificate .

For details on how to access your transcript, please see I need a transcript .

To prove your degree award, module marks and other details about your course, we recommend using your HEAR .

How do I prove I have graduated whilst I wait for my hard copy degree certificate to arrive?

The quickest and simplest way for you to access documents proving your results, is to do so electronically.

To find out more about the options available, see our article I need to prove I’ve graduated .

Do I need to attend a ceremony to officially graduate?

Attending a graduation ceremony is not a requirement; you will still graduate and be awarded your degree once all your results have been ratified.

Once this process is complete, you have officially graduated. Attending a ceremony is a celebration event to mark your achievement.

Who can I contact with additional questions about graduation ceremonies?

If you’re still looking for more information, please check our related articles to the right, or take a look through our Graduation category for further articles about graduating and broader information about finishing university. If you’re still not sure or can’t quite find what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to log an enquiry with us and we will support you. If you are studying on a King's Digital programme, please do reach out to your dedicated Student Success Advisor directly if you have any queries.

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