Graduation ceremonies

Gowning and photography

Gown hire

Our graduation ceremonies are formal occasions and graduands should dress accordingly. Gowns can be hired from Ede and Ravenscroft via their website. Only those who successfully reserve a seat in Symphony Hall (information regarding reserving seats will be included in your invitation due to be issued in October) will be uploaded onto their system as a way to ensure you hire the correct gown.

All students who have received an invitation will have been pre-registered on the Ede and Ravenscroft website to ensure you order the correct gown for your award type on your specific ceremony day and time. Once you have accessed their website please enter Birmingham City University as your institution and then enter your student ID number, surname and email address. Please enter your student ID number WITHOUT the ‘S’ prefix e.g. 19876543 when accessing the site.

Your specific ceremony and gown details should then be retrieved and once you have entered all the required information and made payment, you will receive a Confirmation of Order email to your preferred email address. Your confirmation email will contain a QR code which will then be scanned by Ede and Ravenscroft for them to retrieve your gown on the day of your ceremony.

We recommend you hire your gown ahead of your ceremony and before the hiring deadline Friday 7 July 2023. There may be an opportunity to rent on the day, please note this may be recycled from a previous ceremonies that day, is subject to availability and will incur an increase in price.

If you are having trouble logging-in to the Ede and Ravenscroft site once bookings open from Wednesday 31st May 2023, please contact award.ceremonies@bcu.ac.uk in the first instance so we can check your access details. In some instances, we may need to refer you to their dedicated Customer Service team if we are unable to resolve your query.

On the day of your ceremony, please remember to: 

• bring your gown hire reference number and a form of identification in order to collect your gown 
• wear smart business attire (e.g. what you would wear for a job interview) 
• wear a shirt or fitted blouse with buttons so that the gown can be easily secured to your clothing 
• wear shoes in which you will feel comfortable climbing up/down steps and walking across a large stage 

Gowns are to be returned before you leave the Symphony Hall and ICC premises, unless you have arranged an extended hire in advance, in order to avoid any potential charges. 

Graduating members of staff

If you are currently a BCU staff member, please refer to the instructions sent to you by email. If you have not received an email, please contact award.ceremonies@bcu.ac.uk with your staff ID number.

Photography

Ede & Ravenscroft are also present at BCU’s graduation ceremonies to take professional photographs and will be welcoming graduates, family, and friends into their studios at the venue to capture your memorable day.

Ede & Ravenscroft offer a wide range of photograph packages to suit everyone and we recommend that you pre-book your photography package via their website. Payments can also be made on the day by card only (AMEX is not accepted).

Please note: All personal portraits you wish to have taken should be completed before your ceremony takes place but there may be opportunity to come back after your ceremony for photography if queues are long.

Of course, you’re also welcome to take your own photos before and after the ceremony in your gown with your guests. The ICC is next to Brindley Place and Centenary Square, both picturesque locations which will make the perfect background. Don’t forget to throw your hat - just avoid the canal!

Refunds if you are unable to attend

In accordance with Ede and Ravenscroft’s Refunds policy if you need to cancel your gown hire there must be at least seven days before the date of the first ceremony takes place to be eligible for a refund i.e. Monday 24 July 2023.

To cancel your order, you must:

• Contact them, giving your name, address and order reference and stating that you wish to cancel; or
• Complete their Cancellation Form and return it to the address specified in that form.