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Graduation ceremonies

Your graduation ceremony marks the end of an era, but also celebrates new beginnings as you embark on your career or continue with more in-depth study.

We recently celebrated with our Class of 2020 in a series of virtual graduation ceremonies to mark the special occasion, with messages from staff in each School as well as our Chancellor Sir Lenny Henry and Vice-Chancellor Professor Philip Plowden.

Students were also given the chance to upload a photograph, personal message, short video or combination of all three while they were presented on screen. You can view a replay of each ceremony below.

Graduation FAQs

My name wasn't read out, what can I do?

We're sorry if your name wasn't read out during the ceremony. All students were given the option to give consent for their name to be read out as part of the registration.

We can still arrange for a personalised clip to be sent to you. Please send an email to alumni@bcu.ac.uk to request the clip. Please include the ceremony date and time, your full name and your consent for providing the details to our virtual graduation provider, StageClip.

My name was mispronounced during the virtual ceremony, what can I do?

We can correct pronunciation of your name in your personalised clip. Please send an email to alumni@bcu.ac.uk to request the change. Please include the ceremony date and time, your full name and the correct pronunciation.

Will I be invited to an in-person ceremony?

Yes, all graduating students will be invited to an in-person ceremony. This includes students who would normally attend the summer and winter graduations during the period of government restrictions on mass gatherings. Eligible students will receive an invitation to register their attendance when it is possible to organise large-scale events, so please keep an eye on your BCU email account.

Will I still be invited to an in-person ceremony if I joined the virtual celebration?

Yes, taking part in our virtual celebration will not prevent you from attending an in-person ceremony when we are able to hold it.

When will I receive my certificate?

Students do not need to have received their certificate in order to partake in the virtual ceremonies.

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 they wish to have their certificate posted to.

However, as part of the University’s response to the latest Government advice regarding the Covid-19 pandemic we are currently unable to produce printed award certificates and academic transcripts. As a temporary measure we will be producing electronic verification letters for students and issuing these via email.

We are unable to specify when we will be able to issue hard copy award certificates and transcripts to all completing students however when this activity resumes students will receive an automatic email to confirm when these have been printed and posted.

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 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.

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.

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.