University of Sunderland

Ticket information

GRADUATE TICKETS

Graduates do not pay for their ticket.  The graduate receives their ticket on the day of the ceremony from the Stadium of Light, although they do need to book their ticket in advance.  Please go to the online booking page by 2pm on 3rd June 2013 to book a place for you and any guests you may want to bring.

Please note that graduates will only be invited to one graduation ceremony, which will be the ceremony closest to completing your award.

GUEST TICKETS

Payment for guest tickets must be made online at the time of booking.  All major debit/credit cards are accepted, as well as payment by paypal.

Guest ticket options

• Main Stand - £26.00 per person

Graduates can request upto 6 guest tickets in the Main Stand area.  Requests for more than 6 tickets can be made at the time of booking by placing yourself on the waiting list.  Additional tickets cannot be guaranteed.  If you are successful in gaining extra tickets you will be advised once final numbers have been confirmed following the deadline date and publication of results.

The cost of the ticket includes;

• Pre-ceremony drinks (tea, coffee, orange juice available on request)
• Post-ceremony buffet
• A copy of the Academic Awards Ceremony programme (one per family)
• Parking
• Tours of the Stadium throughout the day (meeting points located in the Banqueting Suite and Sports Bar foyers)
• The convenience of photography, gowning and merchandise all in one venue.

The post ceremony reception is a standing reception, with a fork buffet, an example of which is outlined below;

Assorted sandwiches and wraps, baked lemongrass skewers, vegetarian savoury tart selection, mini fish fillet chip and mushy peas, mini vegetable spring rolls, tomato and mozzarella rice balls, savoury tart selection, stone baked mini cheese and tomato pizza, sweet potato fries, cracked black pepper wedges, a selection of chef's dips/sauces (firecracker sauce, classic burger sauce, texan BBQ sauce and sweet chilli sauce), mini cheesecakes, mini millionaire tarts and chocolate caramel salted bites.

• Executive Boxes - £39.50 or £31.50 per person
  

Executive Boxes are limited, therefore they are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Graduates must have a minimum of 5 guests to make a booking for an Executive Box.  If your guest numbers fall below 5, you can request to share an Executive Box with another graduate and their family.  For graduates who are sharing, a maximum of 11 people can occupy a box (this includes both graduates).  It is essential that each graduate sharing an Executive Box completes their own individual booking form and that both graduates complete the booking form and make any payment due on the same day.

Executive Box Option 1 - £39.50 per person

The cost of the ticket includes;

• A private box allocated to the graduate and their family, allowing guests to watch the ceremony from a private balcony with padded seats and prime views
• TV screens located inside the box should guests wish to watch the ceremony from the comfort of the box
• A waitress service from point of arrival
• Tea, coffee and mini patisseries on arrival
• Premium box buffet (see below for details)
• Post ceremony Champagne and strawberries
• Mini bar stocked on request (additional charge)
• Private cloakroom facilities
• A copy of the Academic Awards Ceremony programme (one per family)
• Parking
• Tours of the Stadium throughout the day (meeting points located in the Banqueting Suite and Sports Bar foyer)
• The convenience of photography, gowning and merchandise all in one venue

Evecutive Box Option 2 (with Main Stand tickets)  - £31.50 per person

The view of the live stage from the box is restricted so Main Stand tickets are provided.

The cost of the ticket includes;

• A private box allocated to the graduate and their family to enjoy a post-ceremony premium box buffet (see below for details)
• Main Stand ceremony tickets for all guests
• Guests are also welcome to remain in the box for the duration of the ceremony and watch the event live on the TV screen located inside the box. This is an ideal option for guests who require a more comfortable environment due to health concerns or severe mobility problems
• A waitress service from point of arrival
• Tea, coffee and mini patisseries on arrival
• Post ceremony Champagne and strawberries
• Mini bar stocked on request (additional charge)
• Private cloakroom facilities
• A copy of the Academic Awards Ceremony Programme (one per family)
• Parking
• Tours of the Stadium throughout the day (meeting points in the Banqueting Suite and Sports Bar foyer)
• The convenience of photography, gowning and merchandise all in one venue

The premium box buffet for both Executive Box options is;

Cold meat platter - ham, beef, spanish sausage and cajun chicken with a selection of dips, jacket potatoes with herb butter, homemade vegetable chilli, mixed leaf noodle salads, mini patisseries and strawberry cream scones (for vegetarians, meats will be replaced with vegetarian buffet items).

 Dispatch of Tickets

Guest tickets and a copy of the 'On the Day' guide will be posted to the address submitted on the online booking form. For this reason, please supply the address where you will be living in July 2013.

Tickets will be posted approximately seven to ten days prior to the ceremony, once qualification results have been confirmed.

Tickets cannot be posted overseas. Graduates living overseas are therefore advised to give a UK address, when completing your online booking form. If you are unable to provide an address in the UK, tickets will be available to collect from the main reception at the Stadium of Light on the day of your graduation.

Where guests have indicated they have a disability, tickets for themselves and an escort (where required) will be allocated in a specific area.

Refunds/cancellation of tickets

Refunds will be automatically processed, during the week following the ceremony, for any student who applies and pays for guest tickets and is unsuccessful in their final assessments.

Refunds for guest tickets for any other reason can only be accepted if a request is made in writing. Refund requests must be received by the Graduation Team no later than 2pm Monday 1st July 2013. Requests can be submitted via post or email (graduations@sunderland.ac.uk). Please note that telephone requests cannot be accepted.

Any student who has booked a place at a ceremony and is unable to attend should email the Graduation Team as soon as possible.  Any student who does not inform us that they are unable to attend their ceremony for any reason, other than failing their final assessments, may incur a cost of £10 should they wish to book a place for a future ceremony.

The University of Sunderland cannot take any responsibility for costs incurred in relation to the degree ceremonies if guests are unable to attend or the student fails to graduate.

Students in debt to the University

University regulations state that prior to Graduation (no later than 24th May 2013), all University debts must be repaid in full. This includes outstanding tuition and accommodation fees, library fines and return of all library books.

If you have a debt to the University you will not be permitted to graduate, and any guest tickets you have booked will be withheld.

Important information

Graduates who turn up on the day of their ceremony at the Stadium of Light, without having previously booked their place, will not under any circumstances be allowed to take part in the ceremonies.