Graduation

Friday, 20 September 2024

Graduation ceremonies

We are happy to announce that the 2023/2024 higher education graduation ceremonies will take place on Friday, 20 September 2024, at Birmingham Symphony Hall, International Convention Centre.

It is important that you read all the information regarding the hire of academic dress, the purchase of guest tickets and key updates, all of which can be found on our Canvas page

Useful information

Please find below useful information on what to expect on the day.

On the day

Around a week before graduation, graduates will be sent an email detailing the time that you should arrive at the ICC to register with the University team.

With around 1500 graduates registering during the day, keeping to the registration time on your invitation email will help to ease queues and ensure a safer event for everyone. Once you have registered you will be able to access the robe hire and photography. Please follow the signs within the ICC to locate the Registration desk, Robing and Photography.

Graduates should be seated 15 minutes before the start of the event.

Crossing the stage

During the ceremony, UCB staff will direct you when to stand and leave the hall in order to cross the stage. It is important that you keep your ticket with you at all times. We will check this ticket to ensure that you are in the right order to cross the stage. If you lose your ticket please notify a member of the UCB graduation team as soon as possible.

Photography/live streaming

There will be photo studios set up in the ICC on the day of the ceremonies and you can have a photo taken (alone, with fellow students, or with your family). A photograph of you crossing the stage will also be available via the William Northam website.

University College Birmingham's marketing department will also be taking photos and videos on the day, which will be used for social media updates and future marketing campaigns. If you don't want a photo or video of you taken, please let a member of the team know. An online gallery of photos will be made available in the next few days after the event. There will also be a photo booth and social opportunities available.

Live streaming of the graduation ceremonies will be available on the day. Please subscribe to our YouTube channel to be notified when the event starts.

Dress code

Ceremonies are celebratory occasions where graduates want to look their best for family, friends and photographs. All students are required to wear academic dress, also known as a cap and gown, and are advised to wear smart clothing underneath their academic dress.

You will be able to order your academic dress from the official supplier of robing, William Northam. To book you academic gown visit www.williamnortham.com

Your academic dress will be available for collection on the day from a hall in the ICC. The cap and gown must be returned to the robing hall no later than 8.30pm on the day of the ceremonies. Late returns may be charged for the cost of another day’s hire.

Guest tickets

Guest tickets for UCB’s Graduation ceremonies can only be purchased directly from the Symphony Hall Box Office.

Guest tickets will be available at a cost of £20.00 each. Plus £3.50 admin charge per ticket. Graduands - you do NOT need to buy a ticket for yourself, as you will be given your ticket on the day.

Tickets are strictly limited to 4 per student, all overbooked tickets will be refunded.

Guest tickets can only be purchased by quoting the University Student ID number found on the ID card. Please ensure tickets are booked for the correct Congregation, date and time, as it is very difficult to transfer the tickets to another ceremony.

The University strongly advises students to purchase guest tickets early to avoid disappointment, as the ceremonies can sell out. A further release of seating may be made in the summer upon final confirmation of numbers.

You can purchase your guest tickets by any of the following methods:

By telephone: 0121 780 3333 (Symphony Hall Box Office)
Online at: www.bmusic.co.uk
In-person: by visiting the Symphony Hall Box Office

A per-ticket commission will be charged, this being £3.50 for all bookings. Please note that Symphony Hall policy states that all guests over the age of 18 months will be required to purchase a ticket.

Certificates

If you are not attending graduation, your certificates will be sent to you through post shortly after. If you need a copy of your certificate or transcript, these can be requested here.

Useful contact details

For graduation ceremony information and visitor visa requests please contact:

Registry: 01212324158 or 01212324178

Email: graduation@ucb.ac.uk

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