Graduation Ceremony dates for 2024

Ceremony dates and times

An list of the individual courses included in each Ceremony is available here -  Course Details

Ceremony Date	Time	Faculty	Schools and Courses
Ceremony 1  - Mon 25th November 2024	9:30am	Faculty of Education, Society and Creative Industries	School of Education (all courses excluding MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
Ceremony 2 - Mon 25th November 2024	12:30pm	Faculty of Education, Society and Creative Industries	School of Education (MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Only) School of Social Science and Law (all courses including UOSDL Online Courses) School of Media and Creative Industries (all Courses including UOSDL Online Courses)
Ceremony 3- Mon 25th November 2024	3:30pm	Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing	School of Medicine (All courses) School of Psychology (All courses including UOSDL Online Courses)
Ceremony 4 - Wed 27th November 2024	9.30am	Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing	School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (All Courses) School of Nursing and Health Sciences (All Sports Courses)
Ceremony 5 - Wed 27th November 2024	12:30pm	Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing	School of Nursing and Health Sciences (All Nursing and Allied Health Professions excluding UOSDL Online Courses)
Ceremony 6 - Wed 27th November 2024	3.30pm	Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing	School of Nursing and Health Sciences (All Health Sciences including UOSDL Online courses, excluding Sports Courses.)
Ceremony 7 - Thurs 28th November 2024	9.30am	Faculty of Business and Technology	School of Computer Science and Engineering (all Computer Science courses including UOSDL Online courses) School of Computer Science and Engineering (all UG Engineering courses) School of Business, Management and Tourism (All Tourism Courses)
Ceremony 8 - Thurs 28th November 2024	12.30pm	Faculty of Business and Technology	School of Computer Science and Engineering (all PG Engineering courses)
Ceremony 9 - Thurs 28th November 2024	3.30pm	Faculty of Business and Technology	School of Business, Management and Tourism (All Business and Management UG, MA and MSc Courses including MBA with PG Certificate courses and UOSDL Courses - excluding MSc International Business Management and MSC Human Resource Management)
Ceremony 10 - Frid 29th November 2024	9.30am	Faculty of Business and Technology	School of Business, Management and Tourism (All Business and Management MBA courses including UOSDL Online courses – excluding MBA with PG Certificate courses)
Ceremony 11- Frid 29th November 2024	12.45pm	Faculty of Business and Technology	School of Business, Management and Tourism (MSc International Business Management and MSc Human Resource Management only) Please Note: students from MSc International Business Management will be allocated to either the 12.45pm or 3.30pm ceremony once bookings closed and numbers attending are confirmed.
Ceremony 12- Frid 29th November 2024	3.30pm	Faculty of Business and Technology	School of Business, Management and Tourism (MSc International Business Management only)  Please Note: students from MSc International Business Management will be allocated to either the 12.45pm or 3.30pm ceremony once bookings closed and numbers attending are confirmed

Detailed Graduate and Guest Ticket Information

• Bookings open at 2pm on Wednesday 16th October and close at 4.00pm Friday 8th November 2024
• It may be necessary to close ceremony bookings earlier than this date if demand is high and ceremonies reach capacity - so please book as early as possible to avoid disappointment

• Graduates do not pay for their own ticket, HOWEVER they do still need to book their place in advance by completing the online application form.
• You must complete the online application form even if you do not want any guest tickets - this is the only way we will know you are attending your ceremony.
• Graduates collect their own ticket on the day of the ceremony when they register their attendance with the graduation team at the Stadium.
• Please go to the online booking page before 4.00pm on Friday 8th November to book a place for you and any guests

• All graduates can request up to 2 ‘main room’ tickets and 2 ‘live broadcast’ tickets - the 2 main room tickets are charged at £30.00 each.  The live broadcast tickets are charged at £20.00 each.  The live broadcast room is a room within the Stadium of Light where the ceremony is screened live on a screen.

• All tickets must be paid for at the time of booking.

• We cannot take requests for additional tickets at booking stage.   Graduates will be notified after the deadline if additional tickets are available for their ceremonies.

• We recognise that students wish to celebrate their achievements with their loved ones, including their children. Please be mindful that this is a formal event and all guests, including children,  are required to remain in their seats for the duration of the ceremony. In order to ensure the safety of all of our guests, children aged 2 years and over are required to have their own seat and are included in your guest ticket numbers.

• We politely remind guests, irrespective of age, that all guests are there to see their loved ones graduate and request that all in attendance respect the enjoyment of others and allow them to enjoy the event free from disturbances. We do offer tickets to our ‘live broadcast’ room which is less formal,  and your children may feel more comfortable in this setting, however consideration for the enjoyment of others is still required.

• In order to support our graduates attending with children, we offer a dedicated pushchair parking area. Upon arrival, please ask your nearest steward for directions. Pushchairs will be stored in our concourse area, and you will receive a receipt which will need to be presented to collect.  All pushchairs must be parked 30 minutes prior to the graduation ceremony commencing and can be collected post ceremony.  Pushchairs are stored at your own risk and no valuables should be left behind.
• Please note that all children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult whom remains with them for the duration of the ceremony. We regret that we are unable to care for children whose parents are participating in the ceremony. 

If you have any queries regarding children attending the ceremony and how we can support you please do not hesitate to contact the graduation team at graduations@sunderland.ac.uk.

• Graduates with outstanding debts to the university - University regulations state that prior to Graduation all debts must be repaid in full.  You will be unable to book your place via the online application if you have an outstanding debt recorded on your student record.  You should contact our Credit Control Team to discuss payment if this is the case.
• Wheelchairs - There is a limited amount of space for wheelchairs at the ceremonies, so please make it clear that wheelchair access is required when booking.  Wheelchairs are not provided by the venue.
• Graduates MUST still complete the Online Booking Form even if they are bringing no guests.

• All guest tickets are released into the Graduate's eVision account, one week before the ceremony. You will be emailed when tickets are released.

  Graduates must print out guest tickets in advance of the ceremony.

• Graduate tickets are free and are available for collection, by the graduate, on the day of the ceremony at the Stadium of Light. 

• If you book, then discover you are unable to attend, refunds will only be authorised if you email graduations@sunderland.ac.uk by 2pm on 15th November 2024 - these refunds will be processed by end December 2024
   

A maximum of 2 ‘main room’ tickets at a cost of £30.00 each, and upto 2 additinal ‘live broadcast’ tickets at a cost of £20.00 each

 

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Prices as follows:-

Graduate with 0 guests	Nothing to pay
Graduate with 1 guest in the ‘main room’	£30.00 to pay
Graduate with 2 guests in the ‘main room’	£60.00 to pay
Graduate with 2 guests in 'main room' and 1 additional guest in the ‘live broadcast room’	£80.00 to pay
Graduate with 2 guests in 'main room' and 2 additional guests in the ‘live broadcast room’	£100.00 to pay

• Pre-ceremony tea and coffee
• Post-ceremony buffet
• Copy of the Awards Ceremony programme (one per family)
• Parking

Post ceremony buffet: 

Main Menu

Chinese chicken curry, rice and prawn crackers

Vegetable curry, rice and prawn crackers

                              or

Short Crust Steak Pie, Parsley Mash, Garden Peas and Ale Gravy

Vegetable Pie, Parsley Mash, Garden Peas and Vegetarian Gravy.

 

Selection of Cakes

 

The post ceremony reception is a standing reception.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I complete the Online Booking Form even if I require no guests?
Yes. 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,  graduates attend the ceremony free of charge.  Graduates collect their ticket on the day of their ceremony from the ceremony venue.  Please bring photographic identification e.g. student card, passport.

Is there any restriction on the number of guest tickets I can order?
Yes, for each ceremony there will be a specified number of tickets 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 month following the ceremonies for any student who is unsuccessful in their final assessments.

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 graduations team approximately one week before your ceremony.

When will I receive my guest tickets?
Your guests tickets will be E-tickets and will be available via e-vision one week before your ceremony.  Tickets must be printed out and shown at the venue on the day of your ceremony - tickets on mobile phones cannot be accepted.

How do I hire my gown and how much will it cost?
Ede & Ravenscroft are the official gown hire company 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 gown hire page. 

What colour is my academic gown?
The colour of the gown depends on the subject and level of study. For more information please see the gown hire page. 

How long will the Ceremony last?
Ceremonies can last anywhere between 60 to 90 minutes, 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 for Graduates only, we cannot provide BSL interpreters for guests. If the graduate requires a BSL interpreter please email graduations@sunderland.ac.uk  as soon as possible, and also detail the request on your booking form.

Will their be any provision for guests or graduates in wheelchairs?

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.

If the graduate uses a wheelchair or have difficulty walking please detail this on your booking form.  A member of the Graduations 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 Gown (jeans and trainers are not acceptable).  For the summer graduation ceremonies at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, 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?

We recognise that students wish to celebrate their achievements with their loved ones, including their children. Please be mindful that this is a formal event and all guests, including children,  are required to remain in their seats for the duration of the ceremony. In order to ensure the safety of all of our guests, children aged 2 years and over are required to have their own seat and are included in your guest ticket numbers. 

We politely remind guests, irrespective of age, that all guests are there to see their loved ones graduate and request that all in attendance respect the enjoyment of others and allow them to enjoy the event free from disturbances. We do offer tickets to our ‘live broadcast’ room which is less formal,  and your children may feel more comfortable in this setting, however consideration for the enjoyment of others is still required. 

In order to support our graduates attending with children, we offer a dedicated pushchair parking area. Upon arrival, please ask your nearest steward for directions. Pushchairs will be stored in our concourse area, and you will receive a receipt which will need to be presented to collect.  All pushchairs must be parked 30 minutes prior to the graduation ceremony commencing and can be collected post ceremony.  Pushchairs are stored at your own risk and no valuables should be left behind.

Please note that all children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult whom remains with them for the duration of the ceremony. We regret that we are unable to care for children whose parents are participating in the ceremony. 

If you have any queries regarding children attending the ceremony and how we can support you please do not hesitate to contact the graduation team at graduations@sunderland.ac.uk

Please Note - To make the day smoother for all graduates or guests attending with young children, there will be a dedicated pushchair parking area. Upon arrival, please ask your nearest steward for directions. Pushchairs will be stored in our concourse area, and you will receive a receipt which will need to be presented to collect.  All pushchairs must be parked 30 minutes prior to the graduation ceremony commencing and can be collected post ceremony.  Pushchairs are stored at your own risk and no valuables should be left behind. 

Will I receive my degree parchment at the Ceremony?
No, your degree parchment will be published in the Awards and Verification Portal for you to order.  You will receive an email when this happens with all relevant instructions for registering on the Awards Portal. 

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 an email 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.

Refunds - If you book, then discover you are unable to attend, refunds will only be authorised if you email graduations@sunderland.ac.uk by the date given on this page

If I don't turn up for my graduation, do I get a refund?
Any student who is unable to attend their ceremony once they have booked their place would not receive a refund.

If I can't attend how do I get a refund for my robe?
Gown suppliers Ede & Ravenscroft can only process gown 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 & Ravenscroft, will be available on your graduation day at the Stadium of Light.

Gown Hire and Photography

Ede and Ravenscroft are the official gown hire and photography company for the Graduation Ceremonies for the University of Sunderland. The University of Sunderland has supported our Academic Dress supplier and has helped subsidize the gown hire price for our students.

Gown hire

To participate in the Graduation Ceremonies, graduates are expected to wear University of Sunderland academic dress and may not be allowed to cross the stage if they do not wear academic dress. Under the academic dress graduates should wear formal dress (jeans and trainers are not acceptable).

You should hire your gown online (the web address will be emailed to you once you have made your graduation ticket booking), before you start, make sure you know your head circumference, chest and height measurements and have your credit/debit card details available. You will also require your student number (this is not your bh or bg number)

Please note : If you buy your gown from another supplier, please do not expect Ede and Ravenscroft staff to dress you or substitute any of their gowning if yours does not fit. 

Photography

We advise you to book photography prior to your graduation day. When you order your academic dress you will be offered photography options as part of your order. Ede and Ravenscroft photographers can take an individual portraits, as well as photographs with family and friends.

To book a graduation gown and/or photography

Before you place your order for your gown, you MUST have booked your place at your graduation even if you are not bringing any guests.   You book your place via the online booking form provided in your email invitation sent from the graduation team.  IMPORTANT: If you do not book your place at your graduation ceremony, then you will not be permitted to attend the ceremony. Once you have booked your place at graduation you will be sent the link to book your gown and any photography packages you may require. Please ensure you have your height, head and chest measurements to hand and a debit/credit card available before you start your robe/photography booking. Upon completion of your booking you will receive your confirmation and order number, please take this order number to the ceremony venue on your graduation day to collect your gown and to have your photographs take if appropriate.

PLEASE NOTE:

Ede and Ravenscroft are an external company. Payment for photography and gown hire are processed by their own staff and not staff at the University of Sunderland.If you book your gown and photography through the Ede and Ravenscroft call centre rather than using their online booking system, there will be additional booking charge of approximately £5.Refunds will only be processed if Ede and Ravenscroft receive a request AT LEAST 7 days prior to your ceremony. You should email Ede and Ravenscroft indicating your cancellation and request a refund. You must include your name, address, course, date of ceremony and receipt number. Should you have any queries please contact:

 

Ede & Ravenscroft
Unit A, Denny Industrial Centre 
Waterbeach 
Cambridge
CB5 9QD01223 861854 (Monday-Friday 9-5pm) / customer.services@graduation-services.co.uk