FAQs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I complete the Online Booking Form even if I require no guests?
Does the graduate need to pay for a ticket?
Is there any restriction on the number of guest tickets I can order?
Should I wait until my results are published before I complete my Online Booking Form?
When will I know if I've been allocated all of the tickets I've requested?
When will I receive my guest tickets?
How do I hire my robes and how much will it cost?
What colour is my academic gown?
How long will the Ceremony last?
Will there be any provision for people with hearing difficulties and wheelchair users?
What should I and my guests wear for the ceremony?
I owe the University money - what can I do?
Can I bring my young child to the ceremony?
How can I book accommodation for my graduation?
Will I receive my degree parchment at the Ceremony?
What happens if I am unsuccessful in my final year assessments, will I still be able to attend graduation?
If I don't turn up for my graduation, do I get a refund?
If I can't attend how do I get a refund for my robe?
Will I be able to obtain a family portrait at my graduation?

Do I complete the Online Booking Form even if I require no guests?

Yes. The booking form not only reserves guest tickets, it also informs staff in the Graduation Office of your intention to attend the Ceremony as a graduate. If you do not complete this booking form then you will not be included in seating plans or the scripts that are read out on the day, therefore you will not be able to attend the ceremonies.

You must complete the booking form even if:

You do not have any guests
You are unsure if you have passed

Does the graduate need to pay for a ticket?

No, prospective graduates attend the ceremony free of charge. Graduates should collect their ticket on the day of their ceremony from the Stadium of Light. Please bring photographic identification e.g. student card, passport.

Is there any restriction on the number of guest tickets I can order?

Yes.

Summer ceremonies: maximum six guest tickets per graduate in the Main Stands. In the case of extreme demand we may need to limit this to four per graduate.

Winter Ceremonies: maximum of two guests in the Main Ceremony room and unlimited number of guests in the Live Broadcast area.

Executive boxes are also available, please see ticket information for further details.

Should I wait until my results are published before I complete my Online Booking Form?

No. You must complete your online booking form in advance, in anticipation of being successful in all your final examinations / assessments. Refunds for any purchased guest tickets will be processed automatically in the week following the ceremonies for any student who is unsuccessful in their final assessments.

There is very little time between confirmation of results and the awards ceremonies, and we would not have enough time to do the preparation work if graduates applied after results were published. Therefore it is vital that we have your booking form by the deadline dates given.

Late bookings are not accepted

When will I know if I've been allocated all of the tickets I've requested?

You will be contacted by the graduation team approximately one week before your ceremony.

When will I receive my guest tickets?

We post tickets only once final assessment results have been published. This will be approximately one week prior to your ceremony. Tickets are posted to the address provided on your online booking form, so please ensure this address is correct at the time of booking.

Students who provide an overseas address on their graduation booking form will collect their guest tickets on the day of the ceremony from the Stadium of Light.

How do I hire my robes and how much will it cost?

Ede & Ravenscroft are the official robe hirers for the University's graduation ceremonies. Graduates will be emailed the link to the Ede and Ravenscroft website once they have submitted the Online Booking Form. For more information please see the robe hire page.

What colour is my academic gown?

The colour of the gown depends on the subject and level of study. A full list of University of Sunderland academic robes can be found on the robe hire page.

How long will the Ceremony last?

Ceremonies last approximately 1-1.5 hours, but the exact length of each ceremony will depend on the number of graduates, honorary graduates and speeches. Please also take into consideration the post-ceremony reception when making plans.

Will there be any provision for people with hearing difficulties and wheelchair users?

We offer British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters on request. If you require a BSL interpreter please email graduations@sunderland.ac.uk as soon as possible, and also detail the request on your booking form.

Guests: If any of your guests use a wheelchair or have any other accessibility needs you must state this clearly on the booking form so that suitable seating arrangements can be made.

Graduates: If you use a wheelchair or have difficulty walking please detail this on your booking form. A member of the Graduation Team will contact you prior to your graduation to discuss your requirements and ensure that suitable arrangements are made to assist you during the ceremony.

What should I and my guests wear for the ceremony?

Graduates should wear formal dress under their Academic Robe (jeans and trainers are not acceptable). For the summer graduations, the ceremonies are held outdoors and graduates and guests will be seated in the terraces, therefore graduates and guests should dress accordingly (high heels are not advised due to the nature of the terraces).

I owe the University money - what can I do?

University regulations state that all outstanding fees must have been paid prior to the booking deadline for your ceremony.

Can I bring my young child to the ceremony?

The graduation ceremony is not suitable for children under five, however a crèche is available.

How can I book accommodation for my graduation?

Please follow this link for details of accommodation in the area

Will I receive my degree parchment at the Ceremony?

No, however you will receive a certificate of award ceremony attendance. Your degree parchment will be posted out to you following the ceremonies. Alternatively, you can arrange to collect the certificate in person. Go to the Certificates page for more information.

What happens if I am unsuccessful in my final year assessments, will I still be able to attend graduation?

If you are unsuccessful in your final assessments you will not be eligible to attend the ceremonies. You will receive a letter to that effect and any payment for guest ticket will automatically be refunded following the ceremonies.

You should also contact robe hire suppliers Ede & Ravenscroft and let them know whether you wish to have your gown order carried forward to the next ceremony, or if you would prefer a refund. You must do this in writing seven days prior to your ceremony.

If I don't turn up for my graduation, do I get a refund?

Any student who is unable to attend the ceremony that they have booked for should inform the Graduation Team as soon as possible. For more information please see the ticket information page.

If I can't attend how do I get a refund for my robe?

Robe suppliers Ede and Ravenscroft can only process robe hire refunds if refund requests are made at least seven days prior to the Ceremony date.

Will I be able to obtain a family portrait at my graduation?

Yes, the University's official photography company, Ede and Ravenscroft, will be available on your graduation day in the Stadium of Light.

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