Graduation ceremonies
February 2021 Virtual Ceremonies
Celebrate your achievements at home by partaking in your virtual ceremony scheduled to take place between Monday 8th - Thursday 11th February 2021, as follows:
- Monday 8 February - Faculty of Arts, Design and Media
- Tuesday 9 February - Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences
- Wednesday 10 February - Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment
- Thursday 11 February - Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences
Each School will be designated their own individual time slot on their Faculty's day, the details of which will be included in each eligible student's invitation.
For these winter celebrations we've partnered with StageClip to allow each graduating student the opportunity to be individually recognised by having the option to upload a photograph, personal message short video or combination of all three whilst you are presented on screen!!
Get dressed up and hire your gown...
Should you wish to hire academic dress for your virtual ceremony the University's preferred supplier, Ede and Ravenscroft, are offering the opportunity to send your hired outfit straight to your door to wear on the day of your event. Once you've taken your celebratory pictures you can then return your outfit using a prepaid bag.
Academic dress can be hired via their website with orders needing to be placed by Friday 1 February 2021. Please note this service can only be provided to those with a UK postal address.
Please be aware that should you hire academic dress for your virtual event, you will still need to hire your gown for your in-person ceremony as it is mandatory for students who cross the stage to wear academic dress.
Special Delivery...
All attendees will receive an array of links including custom backgrounds to be able to share pictures on social media . Plus, students with a UK postal address will receive a dedicated graduation box filled with props to wear during their celebration.
In person ceremonies postponed
Our number one priority is the health and wellbeing of our BCU community. Therefore; regrettably, and in line with public health guidelines we have no choice but to postpone in-person graduations this winter.
However every student who was due to graduate will be invited to an in-person ceremony when it is safe to do so, so that you and your family and friends have the opportunity to celebrate your achievements. Please note that attending the virtual graduation events will not preclude students from being invited to in-person ceremonies when these are rearranged at a later date.
These virtual events will be open to students who are due to gain an award between Monday 20 July and Friday 11 December 2020, 12 noon.
Eligible students will receive an invitation to register their intention to join in with their virtual ceremony so please keep an eye on your BCU emails over the next month.
Students who are awarded after Friday 11 December will then be invited to the summer ceremony series which is currently due to take place between Monday 19 and Friday 23 July 2021.
July 2020
We know how important our graduation events are for our students and their loved ones, and it’s something that all staff at BCU look forward to as well. Infortunately we had no choice but to postpone in-person graduations in July 2020, however every student who was due to graduate this summer will be invited to a ceremony in person within the next year.
Once new dates have been secured all affected students who were awarded on or before Friday 17 July 2020 will be contacted with information on how to register.
Award certificates
Once awards are confirmed, graduating students will receive an email directing them to the mySRS portal when their award certificate and academic transcripts becomes available and will be asked to confirm the address that you wish to have your certificate posted to.
As well as receiving an email about how to request hard copies of award documentation, eligible students will also be notified about how to access their digital certificate if they commenced and completed their studies from September 2019 onwards, after the decision to partner with Gradintelligence.
With Gradintelligence, students will be able to choose to share their digital certificate securely with prospective employers, universities and third parties.
Eligible students will receive an automated email to activate their Gradintelligence account for their digital certificate when this is available.
For further information about award documentation please see the Certificates, transcript and verification page.
Graduation Scheduling
The scheduling of in-person graduation ceremonies are based on your course of study and the number of graduate and guest seats available in the venue. Whilst every effort is made to reserve and maintain your place in the live ceremony to which you were invited, we may sometimes have to re-allocate you to another ceremony on a different date or time; for example, if student registration unexpectedly exceeds capacity.
Cancellation and Refunds
In the event of the Birmingham City University’s graduation ceremonies being cancelled, delayed, prevented, hindered or postponed due to circumstances beyond the control of the University, including (but not limited to): fire; explosion; terrorist act (or threat of a terrorist act); act of God; crisis situations; pandemic; epidemic; industrial action or dispute involving the University or the venue(s) at which the ceremonies are due to be held, the University will not be liable for any losses direct or otherwise incurred by students or their guests. Graduands and their guests should ensure they have sufficient insurance protection to cover any losses they may incur as a result of postponement or cancellation of the ceremonies. The University will endeavour to maintain accurate information on its website and regular communications with the attending students.