On the day

Before you set off, make sure you have your e-ticket for your graduation registration (either printed or on your device) - you’ll need this to register when you arrive on campus and collect your guest tickets. Please note: All e-tickets will be sent out week commencing Monday, 7 March 2022.

Make sure you also have the order number for your academic dress hire from Ede and Ravenscroft - you’ll need this to collect your hired items.

When you arrive on campus, you’ll need to register and collect your guest tickets from the registration marquee in our Graduation Village at Dilworth Street Car-Park, Manchester, M15 6JA (outside the Contact Theatre building) at least two hours before your ceremony begins.

Once registered, you should make your way to the Robing and Photography Marquee to collect your cap and gown (you must wear these to your ceremony), and have your official photograph taken. 

All the ceremonies will take place in Whitworth Hall on Oxford Road, and you should make sure you arrive at least one hour before the start of your ceremony to be seated and make a prompt start. It takes about 5-10 minutes to walk between these two locations. 

Please note: The areas around these venues are likely to be very busy, so you should take this into consideration.

Prayer room facilities: 

The Safe Space Room (room 5) on the 2nd floor of the Students' Union is open to public use should you or your guests need to use a prayer room on graduation day.

Both you and your guests should be seated in good time for the start of your ceremony. Check the schedule of ceremonies to find out when this time is.

• Graduates should wait in the Main Quad (through the archway) until you're called by a steward to enter the hall. You will be allocated a numbered seat, with your fellow graduates.

• Your guests will be seated separately from you, and will enter via the weather tunnel on Oxford Road. Guest seating is unreserved and guests will be seated as they arrive, however, they will need a guest ticket. Additional guests without a ticket can watch the live screening in the Graduation Village. 

• If you are disabled and require lift access to the hall, a steward will be able to direct you. If you or your guests require the loan of a wheelchair for the day, your local British Red Cross may be able to assist you. We are unable to supply wheelchairs for the day.

• Once inside, stewards will direct you to the main hall and to your seats. Make sure to sit in your assigned seat (given to you at the registration desk) - this is really important, as this is in the order that names are called.

• You must be seated at least 15 minutes before the ceremony starts, otherwise we cannot guarantee access to the hall.

• Young children are welcome, as long as they can sit and remain quiet for the ceremony (usually around 45 minutes - 1 hour). They must be supervised by an adult throughout - there are no crèche facilities available. Children in their own seat must have a ticket.

You'll be called to move towards the stage by a steward in the order that names will be called on the day.

When your name is called, you'll go up the stairs at the side of the stage, drop your cap, or bow to the Presiding Officer of the Ceremony, leave the stage using the central steps, and return to your seat. There is also a lift to access the stage - please let us know when you register online if you require this, so we can ensure someone is ready to operate it. For further information see the "register for your chosen ceremony" section of the preparing to graduate page.

The ceremonies usually last about 45 minutes - 1 hour.

Food and drink will not be allowed in the hall for anyone in attendance.

You'll be asked to stand as the Academic Procession leaves the room.

You will be directed out of the Whitworth Hall to the Main Quad, where you can meet your guests, take photos and congratulate friends.

You must return your hired cap, gown and hood to the same place you collected them in the robing and photography marquee by 6pm (if your ceremony ends before 6pm), or by 7.30pm if your ceremony ends after 6pm.

Celebrations and drinks receptions after your ceremonies will be held in the Graduation Village for you and your guests to celebrate with friends and lecturers. Please see the 'Get details of your celebration' section of the 'Preparing to graduate' page for more information on your celebrations. 

Live screening on campus: 

Any additional guests you bring without a ticket can watch a live screening of the ceremony at multiple locations on campus. There will be a live screening marquee in the Graduation Village where you can watch the ceremonies on the big screen, and the Students' Union will be streaming the ceremonies on multiple screens positioned in public areas on the ground floor of the building. 

Please note: The capacity of the live screening marquee is 200, so we recommend additional guests arrive early to secure a seat. The Students' Union is open Monday to Friday 8am - 10pm and Saturday 9am - 10pm.

Watch online:

All our graduation ceremonies are streamed live online - perfect if you, your friends or family can't make it to Manchester. If you are bringing additional guests on campus without guest tickets, they will be able to watch a live screening of the ceremony in the Graduation Village.

Watch the ceremonies live here (streaming starts at the beginning of the first ceremony)

The player will automatically adjust the video quality to suit your connection speed. You can adjust the quality using the "HD" button in the player's toolbar while the video is playing.