Familiarise yourself with all the timings so you are prepared for what will happen on your ceremony day.
What happens on the day
If you know the time of your ceremony, you can take a look at the timings for our morning, afternoon and evening sessions here:
Morning ceremony: 9.30am - 11.30am
| Time | Activity | Important information |
|---|
| 7.30am - 9.15am |
Registration
Gowning
Photography
Complimentary refreshments |
We advise you to arrive as early as possible to allow yourself enough time to:
- register your attendance and collect your own ticket
- collect your gown from Hall 4
- take photographs in Hall 3
- Purchase any remaining guest tickets (subject to availability)
- take your seat
Please note that these award ceremonies will be busier than usual, so although 90 minutes may seem plenty, we advise you allow extra time to avoid unnecessary surprises. |
| 9.15am - 9.45am |
Call to be seated |
Please ensure that you and your guests are ready to be seated as early as possible so you do not miss any part of the ceremony as it will promptly start at the specified time. If you arrive late, you may not be able to take part in the ceremony. |
| 10.00am - 11.30am |
Award ceremony duration |
The ceremony is scheduled to run for approximately 90 minutes during which time you will have an opportunity to cross the stage with your cohort. |
| 11.45am - 12.30pm |
Guests depart |
We ask that all graduates and guests depart, so the next cohort of guests and graduates can arrive. |
| 6.00pm |
All gowns and hats to be returned to the drop-off point at ICC |
We ask that you return your cap and gown to the designated drop-off point in the Mall (Centenary Square) of the ICC at the end of the day unless you have pre-booked the gown for a longer loan. |
Afternoon ceremony: 1.30pm - 3.30pm
| Time | Activity | Important information |
|---|
| 12noon - 1.30pm |
Registration
Gowning
Photography
Complimentary refreshments |
We advise that you arrive as early as possible to allow yourself enough time to:
- register your attendance and collect your own ticket
- collect your gown from Hall 4
- take photographs in Hall 3
- Purchase any remaining guest tickets (subject to availability)
- take your seat
Please note that these award ceremonies will be busier than usual, so although 90 minutes may seem plenty, we advise you allow extra time to avoid unnecessary surprises. |
| 1.15pm - 1.45pm |
Call to be seated |
Please ensure that you and your guests are ready to be seated as early as possible so you do not miss any part of the ceremony as it will promptly start at the specified time. If you arrive late, you may not be able to take part in the ceremony. |
| 2.00pm - 3.30pm |
Award ceremony duration |
The ceremony is scheduled to run for approximately 90 minutes during which time you will have an opportunity to cross the stage with your cohort. |
| 3.45pm - 4.30pm |
Guests depart |
We ask that all graduates and guests depart, so the next cohort of guests and graduates can arrive. |
| 6.00pm |
All gowns and hats to be returned to the drop-off point at ICC |
We ask that you return your cap and gown to the designated drop-off point in the Mall (Centenary Square) of the ICC at the end of the day unless you have pre-booked the gown for a longer loan. |
Evening ceremony: 5.30pm - 7.30pm
| Time | Activity | Important information |
|---|
| 4.00pm - 5.30pm |
Registration
Gowning
Photography
Complimentary refreshments |
We advise you to arrive as early as possible to allow yourself enough time to:
- register your attendance and collect your own ticket
- collect your gown from Hall 4
- take photographs in Hall 3
- Purchase any remaining guest tickets (subject to availability)
- take your seat
Please note that these award ceremonies will be busier than usual, so although 90 minutes may seem plenty, we advise you allow extra time to avoid unnecessary surprises. |
| 5.15pm - 5.45pm |
Call to be seated |
Please ensure that you and your guests are ready to be seated as early as possible so you do not miss any part of the ceremony as it will promptly start at the specified time. If you arrive late, you may not be able to take part in the ceremony. |
| 6.00pm - 7.30pm |
Award ceremony duration |
The ceremony is scheduled to run for approximately 90 minutes during which time you will have an opportunity to cross the stage with your cohort. |
| 7.45pm - 8.30pm |
Guests depart |
We ask that all graduates and guests depart, so the next cohort of guests and graduates can arrive. |
| 8.45pm |
All gowns and hats to be returned to the drop-off point at ICC |
We ask that you return your cap and gown to the designated drop-off point in the Mall (Centenary Square) of the ICC at the end of the day unless you have pre-booked the gown for a longer loan. |
There will be a large number of graduates attending your ceremony so you will need to make sure you arrive at least 90 minutes prior to the ceremony start time. This will give you the best opportunity to register, collect your gown and have photographs taken before the ceremony.
All personal portraits must be taken by our official photographers before your ceremony takes place as you will not be able to return to the Photography zone after your ceremony has finished.
During the ceremony
A variety of speeches are made during the graduation ceremony, including a welcome address and opening of the ceremony by the Chancellor, awarded Honorary Doctorate recipient and a concluding address delivered by a graduating student.
You will be asked to stand on the ‘X’ marked on the stage ahead of your name being called. Once you have been announced, you will walk across the stage and shake hands with our Chancellor or nominee. You will then continue crossing the stage and exit to the far side where you will collect your award brochure. You will then return to your seat to watch the remainder of the ceremony until the Chancellor or nominee closes proceedings.
Each student who crosses the stage is important to us, so please do clap and cheer as loudly as you wish when graduates are crossing the stage!
Feel free to take photos and videos in the ceremony, but please do not stand or block the view of others in the audience.
Get Involved
We’d love to know how you’re celebrating your special day with your guests! Make sure you tag your social media posts throughout the day with the hashtag #IAMBCU.