Graduation ceremonies

We know it only feels like two minutes since you came to Hull, savoured the Chip Spice, and admired the views from the top of the Brynmor Jones library. Now we are addressing you as graduand – someone who is ‘about to graduate or receive a degree.’

Graduation is a special occasion. A time to reflect on the journey you’ve been on. Celebrate what you have learned, how you have grown, remember the good times, and acknowledge the tough ones too.

Our first graduation ceremonies are on Tuesday 16 July, and we want to make sure your day is one to remember. Here is our quick guide to everything you need to know.

Before we start though, please don't forget to register to attend a ceremony through the Student Portal as soon as possible and before 9 June 2024.

July Graduation Dates

Tuesday 16 July
10:00 - 11:30	Faculty of Business, Law and Politics	Marketing Management and Business Strategy
13:00 - 14:30	Faculty of Arts, Cultures and Education	Drama Music Screen English History Modern Languages Sociology Criminology American Studies Creative Writing
16:00 - 17:30	Faculty of Arts, Cultures and Education	Education Studies Teacher Education EFL TESOL

Wednesday 17 July
10:00 - 11:30	Faculty of Science and Engineering	Data Science AI and Modelling Centre (DAIM)
13:00 - 14:30	Faculty of Science and Engineering	Chemistry Computer Science Geology Biochemistry Biological Science Marine Science Geography and Environment
16:00 - 17:30	Faculty of Science and Engineering	Physics Mathematics Mechanical Engineering Electrical and Electronic Engineering Medical Engineering Chemical Engineering

Thursday 18 July
10:00 - 11:30	Faculty of Health Sciences	Social Work Advanced Practice Nursing and Midwifery Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Centre of Biomedicine
13:00 - 14:30	Faculty of Health Sciences	Hull York Medical School Psychology Sport Health and Exercise Science Clinical Psychology Physiotherapy
16:00 - 17:30	Faculty of Business, Law and Politics	Law Politics Logistics and Management Systems Philosophy Accounting Finance and Economics

Need to knows

At a glance...
Getting here
Certificates
International Students
Security

Tickets

You don’t need a ticket to attend, but your guests do! Two guests can join you for the ceremony in the main hall free of charge. If you want to bring more guests, you can buy up to three more tickets for £10 each.

Bringing young children?

Graduation is a formal occasion, and the ceremonies can sometimes feel long, especially for our younger guests. If your guests are bringing babies and young children we have a family area where they can enjoy the ceremony in a more relaxed environment, without being worried about disrupting others. This is a tiered seating area separated from the main hall, with a video relay of the ceremonies. Tickets for the family area are free and provided in addition to the tickets for the main ceremony.

All guests will be together before and after the ceremony.

Information about how to book guest tickets will be sent in July. Graduands do not need a ticket and will be sent an email with their seat number, again in July. Keep an eye on your University emails!

Gowns and robes

You’ll be sent information about robe and gown hire when you register to attend. The cost of hiring gowns for the ceremony are:

	Pre-order before 21 June	Hire on the day at the venue
Bachelors Gown	£48	£53
Masters Gown	£53	£58
Postgraduate Gown	£58	£63

Bringing a large bag, suitcase or pushchair?

A free of charge bag drop is available right next to the arena. Signs will direct you there.

Celebration Event

We’ll be hosting a special celebration after the ceremony, where you, your coursemates, lecturers, and guests can let your hair down a little and get together. There’ll be a local DJ too, so you can have a dance! This will be at Zebedee’s Yard, Princes Dock Street, Hull just a short walk from Connexin Live Hull. Tickets are £5.50 per person (including graduands) and include a free welcome drink. Children under 14 attend for free.

Book your tickets for the Celebration Event here

Got more questions?

We will be holding our graduation launch event on Thursday 16 May from 10:00 to 15:00. This will be on the ground floor, circulation area in Student Central and will give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about your ceremony. Come and say hello.

Finally, don’t forget to register to attend a ceremony through the Student Portal!

If you have any queries, please contact our Registry team.

All the best for your final assessments and we can’t wait to see you in July!

FAQs

Ceremonies will take place at the Connexin Live on Myton Street in the City Centre.

If you are staying close to the University campus, you might find it more convenient to leave your car and travel by public transport or taxi into the City Centre.

Travel and parking

Directions to campus can be found here.

If you are staying close to the University campus, you may find it more convenient to leave your car and travel into the city centre by public transport or by taxi. You can contact Hull Cars on +441482 828282 or travel by bus.

If you are planning to return to the University, parking is available on campus. See our campus map.

Parking restrictions are in place on the roads surrounding the campus, so you are strongly advised not to park on these roads.

Disabled parking is available on campus. Please contact +44(0)1482 346311 for more information.

Useful links

East Yorkshire buses
Hull Cars
Hull Trains
National Rail enquiries
National Express coaches
Traveline (journey planning)

Accommodation

Hull and East Yorkshire (HEY) Conferences are providing the official accommodation/booking service for the University of Hull graduation ceremonies.

All accommodation booked through HEY Conferences meets the quality-assured inspection scheme standards and has been independently inspected by either the AA or VisitBritain.

Book your accommodation online.

Alternatively, telephone HEY Conferences on +44 (0)1482 391535.

Accommodation on campus

The University offers a range of affordable accommodation right next to campus.

Email beyondevents@hull.ac.uk or call +44(0)1482 465341.

FAQs

Transcripts

Transcripts are downloadable through the Student Portal. If you are a finalist and have had your results conferred through a programme examination board, your transcript will show in full. If you have not yet finished your course you can download your transcript, however it will show as provisional until you have completed your course. If you completed your course prior to the 2023/24 academic year you can purchase a transcript via the Online Payment Portal.

Certificates

Your certificate will be issued at your ceremony.

Replacement Certificates

If you have misplaced your certificate you can purchase a replacement through our Online Payment Portal.

Hull York Medical School

If you are a graduate of Hull York Medical School and require a replacement award certificate please order through the University of York online store.

Employer and Embassy Verifications

If an employer or embassy would like to verify that your certificate is genuine, we request that they use the UK Higher Education Degree Datacheck official service for candidate verification and university authentication.

FAQs

If you are currently outside the UK

If you would like to attend your Graduation ceremony, are no longer in the UK and your Student visa or Tier 4 visa has expired, please apply for a Standard Visitor visa unless you do not need a visa to return to the UK for a short period. Some nationalities who do not need a visa to travel to the UK now need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in advance of travelling. Further information can be found here.

You may need to show your Graduation ceremony invite (which you will be emailed) as the reason for your visa application.

If you are no longer in the UK but your Student visa or Tier 4 visa is still valid, you may use your current visa to return to the UK to attend the ceremony. You may need to show your Graduation ceremony invite (email) as the reason for travel.

If you are currently in the UK

Your current visa may still be valid for your Graduation date and this allows you to stay in the UK to attend your Graduation ceremony. If your Student visa expires before your Graduation ceremony, you may be able to remain in the UK if you’re eligible to switch to another visa route (for example, the Graduate Route visa). When you submit a valid in-time visa application, you can remain in the UK under your Student visa conditions until your new visa is issued.

FAQs

Protecting your data

Graduation is a public celebration of the success of our students. The ceremonies are recorded and live-streamed across campus and online. Graduands and guests seated in the venue should be aware that they may appear on this recording.

Security advice

Please cooperate fully with all security checks. All entry constitutes consent to search. A security and ticket check will be carried out on the arena concourse, once through this you will be able to enter and exit the building without further security checks. However if you wish to leave the concourse perimeter for any reason you will be subject to security/ticket checks on returning to the area.

We encourage you to only bring essential items and stress that no large bags or backpacks will be permitted into the venue. We will not allow any large bags, backpacks, holdalls, luggage pushchairs or computer bags into the area. Bags must be under 35cm x 40cm x 19cm. There is no storage or cloakroom facility available so please make alternative arrangements before arriving at the venue

.Large bags, suitcases and pushchairs can be left safely and securely at The Edge (opposite Connexin). This is a secure space and free of charge. A member of security will direct you to The Edge on arrival at Connexin if you have one of the larger items listed above.

Exceptions will only be made for those with medical requirements and/or special needs. For ease of entry, we ask that you let us know by emailing registry@hull.ac.uk ahead of your visit.

Prohibited Items

Backpacks, holdalls, luggage, computer bags and cushions*
Glass, cans, aluminium bottles or thermoses of any kind including any liquid products which can be consumed*
Flammable liquids in any container
Laser pens/pointers
Video cameras and professional cameras
Laptop computers, iPads and Go Pros
Large/golf umbrellas
Knives or weapons of any kind
Illegal drugs or substances
Alcoholic beverages
Signs, banners or flags with or without poles, staffs or selfie sticks
Animals (except service animals to aid persons with disabilities)
Air horns, whistles, cowbells or other noise-making distractions
Projectiles (frisbees, beach balls, footballs etc.)
Aerosol cans (mace pepper spray etc.)
Fireworks, confetti or glitter bombs
Glow sticks
Balloons
Wheeled footwear, skateboards
Food
Masks and helmets
Large studs and chains
Any refreshments or refreshment containers
Anything else with we deem to ruin the enjoyment of the experience for others

*Exceptions will be made for those with medical requirements and/or special needs.

Visitors will be refused entry if they attempt to enter the venue with the prohibited item.

FAQs

Am I eligible to attend a graduation ceremony?

You will be sent an invitation if we believe you to have completed your studies, or be expected to complete your studies, before the award conferral deadline. For July 2024, the deadline to have an award through an examination board is 28 June. To be eligible to graduate your award will need to have been through a finalist exam board and conferred with an eligible award.

You will only receive an invitation to graduate if you have cleared all debts with the University. Our Student Financial Services team will contact you if you show as owing debts, ahead of extending an invitation. If you are aware that you have outstanding debts please make contact as soon as possible to arrange for payment. This can be done by raising an enquiry through the Student Portal.
When and where is my graduation taking place?

All graduation ceremonies take place at the Connexin Live, Myton Street, Hull, HU1 2PS.

Tuesday 16 July 2024

Faculty of Business, Law and Politics

10:00 – Marketing, Management and Business Strategy

Faculty of Arts, Cultures and Education

13:00 - Drama, Music, Screen, English, History, Modern Languages Sociology, Criminology, American Studies, Creative Writing

16:00 - Education Studies, Teacher Education, EFL and TESOL. 

Wednesday 17 July 2024

Faculty of Science and Engineering

10:00 – Data Science, AI and Modelling Centre (DAIM)

13:00 - Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Biochemistry, Biological Science, Marine Science, Geography and Environment.

16:00 - Physics, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Medical Engineering, Chemical Engineering.

Thursday 18 July 2024

Faculty of Health Sciences

10:00 – Social Work, Advanced Practice Nursing and Midwifery, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

13:00 - Hull York Medical School, Psychology, Sport, Health and Exercise Science, Clinical Psychology, Physiotherapy.

Faculty of Business, Law and Politics

16:00 - Law, Politics, Logistics and Management Systems, Philosophy, Accounting, Finance and Economics.

Future Dates

Monday 13 – Wednesday 15 January 2025

What happens on the day?

Graduating at 10:00	Graduating at 13:00	Graduating at 16:00
8:00	11:00	14:00	Main doors open. Please ensure you bring your seat number and guest tickets with you. Robing is located at level 1 and official photographs at level 2 of the Connexin Live. Photography is not booked in advance.
10:00	13:00	16:00	Ceremony starts.
11:30 am	2:30 pm	5:30 pm	Ceremony ends (approx).

What do I need to do now?

Book your hotel early to take advantage of reduced rates.

Confirm your attendance at the ceremony by completing your online booking form before 9 June 2024.

Hire or purchase your gown from the Graduate Gowning Company.

Debts to the University must be cleared before you can graduate. Contact Fee Collection Service on 01482 462222, email studentdebt@hull.ac.uk or raise an enquiry in the Student Portal.
I can’t make the date of my graduation – can I swap to a different day?

If you would like to defer your ceremony to a future date then we will permit you to defer to a future ceremony. If you have deferred to a future ceremony more than once we will require evidence to support your request to defer a further time.

To request a deferral please contact registry@hull.ac.uk or call +44 1482 465032.
What if my plans change and I can't attend my graduation ceremony?

If you cannot make your graduation ceremony contact registry@hull.ac.uk or call +44 1482 465032 as soon as possible.
I haven't received a graduation invitation, what should I do?

Please contact registry@hull.ac.uk or call 44 1482 465032.
My guest needs a visa to attend the ceremony. How can I get a letter to support their application?

If your guests need a visa to attend your Graduation ceremony, they can apply for a Standard Visitor visa, unless they do not need a visa to come to the UK for a short period. They may need to show a copy of your emailed Graduation ceremony invite when submitting a visa application.

Some nationalities who do not need a visa to travel to the UK now need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in advance of travelling. Further information can be found here.
I (or a member of my graduation party) have accessibility requirements. What should I do?

If you have accessibility requirements: when confirming your attendance to the graduation booking, please tick yes to this question and provide further information. A member of the team will then be in touch to discuss your requirements ahead of ceremonies.

Students with mobility needs will be able to access the platform by lift or ramp, but this will be discussed with you before the ceremony.

If any of your guests have specific accessibility requirements, then you can note this on your confirmation of attendance booking. We use an external ticket provider for guest ticketing and they will also require this information at the point of booking your guest seating. Further information on booking guest seating will be sent to you within a month of your ceremonies.
What do I do if I have a debt to the University?

The rules of the University (Ordinance 22.6) state that no person shall normally be admitted to a degree or granted a diploma or certificate unless the tuition fees prescribed and due to the University have been paid.

If you are in doubt about your debts to the University, please make enquiries as soon as possible to the Fee Collection Service.

Email studentdebt@hull.ac.uk or raise an enquiry in the Student Portal - Talk to Us > Ask a Question > Student Services > Payment of Fees.

The deadline for paying debts to the University in order to graduate is 5 June 2024.
Is there a dress code?

There is a strict dress code at the graduation ceremonies.

The appropriate academic dress (gown, hood and cap) must be worn, and this can be hired (or purchased) from the Graduate Gowning Company.

Your gown will include a hood and cap, and will vary slightly depending on the type of degree that you are receiving.

This is a very special day for the University as well as for all students and their families, and we ask that you dress smartly. Jeans and trainers are not permitted.

The deadline for ordering your gown is Friday 21 June 2024.
Do I need to hire a robe?

You need to order the correct robes in advance of the ceremony directly from the Graduate Gowning Company by visiting their website. We strongly advise you to contact GGC straight away and certainly no later than 21 June 2024.

To order, simply visit the Graduate Gowning Company website. You will require your University of Hull student number to log on. Once logged on, you can check your credentials and enter some basic measurements to ensure the correct size is provided. There are just five simple steps to complete. A confirmation email will be sent to your preferred email address. When collecting your academic robes on the day, you will need to produce your order confirmation email or student ID.

The University receives free academic gowns and a commission from its appointed provider.