Below is an overview of the key timings for each graduation ceremony. Carefully check the timings that relate to your ceremony and please ensure you follow them on the day. Please note that this information is subject to change.

Following registration, you will be directed to the gowning area where our designated gown supplier staff will fit your academic gown that you should have ordered in advance. Please remember to bring your gown hire confirmation with you on the day. 

If you have not hired a gown, there may be some available to hire on the day but please note this is not guaranteed so we strongly recommend you hire your gown at the same time you book your tickets. 

Please note that you must be correctly gowned and dressed appropriately to take part in your ceremony. You cannot graduate if you are not correctly gowned. 

Following your graduation ceremony, you are invited to join us in the Graduation Hospitality Zone for refreshments. 

Please note that due to varying ceremony sizes, the duration of ceremonies and celebrations may vary.  An overview of these times is below; please note timings are subject to change:

Below you will find some information to help give you an idea of what you will need to do on the day. Please note, at this stage, the information is a guide and is subject to change. 

On the day you need to arrive at our High Wycombe Campus. Please note there is no parking on campus. Further information and directions can be found on our travel webpage. 

We recommend that you arrive at the University two hours before the start of your ceremony as Registration and gowning can become extremely busy.

The graduation ceremony start times vary but each ceremony will last around an hour. You must be registered, gowned and seated in the Wycombe Swan Theatre 30 minutes before your ceremony is due to start so that university staff can explain the ceremony proceedings to you. Your guests must be seated 15 minutes before the ceremony commences. 

The ceremony itself will take place in the Wycombe Swan Theatre, a short walk from the High Wycombe Campus. The celebrations after the ceremony will take place in the Graduation Hospitality Zone at our High Wycombe Campus. 

The registration desk will be open two hours before your ceremony start time. 

The registration desk will close 30 minutes before your ceremony is due to start. 

Please remember students must be seated in the ceremony 30 minutes before it begins and guests 15 minutes beforehand. 

On arrival, you must go to the registration desk first, which will be signposted on the day, so we know you have arrived and are to be presented on stage during your ceremony. You can collect your tickets at registration and will then be directed to the gowning area.

At registration you will be given a Wycombe Swan Theatre ticket for yourself and separate tickets for your guests (if you ordered guest tickets). 

If you arrive in plenty of time, we would encourage you to get your photographs taken before the ceremony as photography can be extremely busy after the ceremonies and we wouldn’t wish for anyone to miss their celebration time.

Graduating students must be in their seats 30 minutes before the start of the ceremony. Announcements will be made in plenty of time in the gowning and photography areas, in the Wycombe Swan theatre foyer and outside the entrance.

Seats for guests are pre-allocated separately from the graduating students. Tickets are issued for the rear stalls, side stalls, circle and upper circle. Theatre staff will ask to see valid tickets and will help your guests to find their seats.

Guests must be in their seats 15 minutes before the start of the ceremony. Announcements will be made in plenty of time in the gowning and photography areas, in the Wycombe Swan theatre foyer and outside the entrance.

Guests are asked to remain in their seats at the end of the ceremony until the academic procession have left the auditorium.

For more information on tickets, please see the your attendance and your guest tickets section(LINK) of the website.

Graduating students will be seated in the stalls in strict alphabetical order within each course. This is the order you will cross the stage in. You will be directed to your allocated seat as soon as you enter the auditorium and should then remain seated. University staff and the theatre ushers will be in the auditorium to assist you and ensure that you find the right seat and you may be asked to provide your ticket more than once so please keep it safe and on you.

Graduating students must be seated 30 minutes before their ceremony begins. This is so we can ensure you are correctly seated and so you hear the important information announced ahead of your ceremony. 

Graduating students are strongly advised not to take bags or personal belongings with you into the theatre as you cannot take these on stage with you. All possessions are your responsibility to keep safe. You are not allowed to take any open topped beverages into the auditorium (e.g. cans or cups).

When the ceremony starts everyone who is able to will be asked to stand while the academic procession enters and takes to the stage. The academic procession consists of University officials and the academic staff from your School or partner college. Once the procession has reached the platform and the ceremony has been declared open, everyone will advised they may sit down.

The ceremony is not recommended for children under the age of 5 years old; please see the information above on children attending graduation. 

Please do not carry anything with you on to the stage. 

When it is your turn to be presented on stage, you will be advised when you are able to ascend the stairs. The presenter will read out your name and staff will confirm you can cross the stage. You will cross the stage, stop in the middle of the stage to shake hands with the University official(s) and then continue across the stage, descend from the stage and will be directed to return to your seat.

You must return to the same seat after you have crossed the stage. 

At the end of the ceremony, those who are able to, will be asked to stand and wait for the procession party to exit the stage and process out of the auditorium. Graduates will then process out of the auditorium one row at a time. Guests will then follow. Please remain at your seats until staff tell you to leave.

You must wear your gown and mortarboard throughout the ceremony and when processing out of the auditorium.

After the ceremony you are invited to join us at a post-ceremony celebration in the Graduation Hospitality Zone at our High Wycombe Campus. You must have a valid ticket to enter the Graduation Hospitality Zone and your ticket came with tokens, which you can redeem for the refreshments. 

The celebration is optional and lasts up to an hour and a half, but you don’t have to stay for the full duration. Once the Graduation Hospitality Zone closes, any remaining guests who are looking to continue celebrating can take advantage of our High Wycombe Campus being based in the Town Centre, where there are various venues within walking distance you could visit. 

There will be no additional tickets to purchase just for the Graduation Hospitality Zone. 

Please visit the catering (LINK) page to find out more about the refreshments available during the celebration in the Hospitality Zone. 

Please note there is no car parking on campus. There are public car parks within a short walking distance of the campus, or the park and ride service is available. Further information can be found on our travel webpage.

Information on the format of programmes for your ceremony will be available from the registration desk when you register your arrival.

Certificates are sent out either in advance of or after your graduation ceremony depending on the date you were made an award of the University by the Board of Examiners

No certificates are presented at graduation.

Event stewards will be on duty throughout the day at our High Wycombe Campus and at the Wycombe Swan Theatre to assist and direct you. They can be identified by their gowns or sashes.