Your graduation ceremony is an official celebration of all your accomplishments during your time at Manchester. These pages have all the key information you’ll need to be fully prepared ahead of the big day.
Registration for our December ceremonies will open on Wednesday, 11 October 2023 and will close on Thursday, 30 November 2023. Please read over these instructions on what you need to complete before the day of your ceremony.
To be awarded your degree and attend graduation, there are some steps you must take:
N.B. Postgraduate Research Students (PGR) identified as potentially eligible to graduate will all receive invitations to the graduation ceremony. However, a PGR must have full completion of their award status (i.e. have been issued with the final award confirmation letter) by the Thursday, 30November 2023 deadline in order to graduate and have their name included in the graduation programme. If you anticipate receiving your award letter by the above deadline, we advise you to register to attend/not attend.
1. Clear any outstanding tuition fee debt
It is our policy that degrees will not be awarded to anyone who has a tuition fee debt outstanding to the University.
If you owe tuition fee debts to the University, these must be settled by Thursday, 30November 2023. If you settle any debt after this date, your name will not appear in the digital programme. If you are unsure what debts you owe to the University, email the Credit Control Team on self.funding@manchester.ac.uk as soon as possible.
2. Decide how you want your personal information to be used
Graduation programme: If you don’t want your name and award (classifications are not included) to be included, please let us know by emailing graduation@manchester.ac.uk using ‘Graduation programme’ in the email subject line.
Third party verifications: Your degree information will also be shared with Higher Education Degree Datacheck (HEDD). HEDD is the UK’s verification service and is managed by Jisc. This lets potential employers verify your results online. The information stored about you in the HEDD database can only be accessed with express written permission from you each time. The data is not just accessible to anybody at any time.
Email Student Services on graduation@manchester.ac.ukto ask about the process of removing your qualification from HEDD. We advise against this because it might increase the time it takes to verify your result during employment screening or by other universities.
It is important that you (and any guests who are considering attending a graduation ceremony) are aware that the University is not responsible for any wasted costs/expenses incurred (for example, travel and accommodation costs) in circumstances where you are ineligible to graduate or where you/they are unable to attend for any other reasons.
You must check and confirm your personal information in the Student System by Thursday, 30 November 2023.
We will use your full name, exactly as it is in the Student System. You can view your full name when you login to register your choice to attend or not attend the ceremony here, this name will be printed on your degree certificate.
We also need your correct home address to send in case we need to send you your certificate.
You might also need to contact Student Services on graduation@manchester.ac.uk about updating your name or other details. Details not updated on or before Thursday, 30 November 2023 could mean that you will need to purchase a replacement degree certificate.
How does my name appear on my certificate?
Your full legal name as recorded on your student record. You can view your full name please login to your student record. Go to Student Centre and navigate to the following 'Self-Service' > 'Degree Progress / Graduation' > 'Attend Graduation Ceremony'.
Names on certificates are only printed on documents in the order of First Name/s, Middle Name/s, Surname/s. The order of names cannot be amended, unless it has been recorded on the system in error.
How can I change / update my name?
If your name has 1 or 2 letters that have been mixed up or missing on your student record, please email graduation@manchester.ac.uk explaining the error and provide the correct spelling of your full name to get it updated.
Legal name change: If part of your name is fully missing or incorrect family name due to marriage etc. you will need to send official documents (Wedding certificate / Passport / Change of Name Deeds) as proof in order to get your name updated via email to graduation@manchester.ac.uk explaining these changes. Please name the subject of your email ‘Name Update for December Graduation’ and let us know no later than Thursday, 30 November 2023.
Preferred names: We are committed to providing a supportive environment for everyone during their ceremony. Some students, for example those who present in a different gender but are not able or do not wish to change their name legally, may request that their preferred name be used by emailing graduation@manchester.ac.uk as soon as possible so we can make those arrangements.
Please name the subject of your email ‘Preferred Name for December Graduation’ and let us know no later than Thursday 30 November 2023.
Please note: A degree certificate is a legal document. The name that appears on the degree certificate is the legal name of the individual at the time the certificate is issued.
Name pronunciation: If you think your name could be mispronounced at your ceremony, you have the option to complete a name pronunciation form - this can be found in your invitation email. These will be given to the presenters ahead of the ceremony to assist in calling your name to the stage.
Regardless of whether you wish to attend or not, you must notify us of your decision and update your personal details in My Manchester. If you are attending in-person, choosing to graduate in absentia or deferring, please register online using registration in the Student System by Thursday, 30 November 2023 to confirm your choice.
We will email you with confirmation of your registration and number of guest tickets on Thursday, 7 December 2023.
You should also pre-order your gown book these online through Ede and Ravenscroft the deadline to book your gown by Monday, 27 November 2023.
If you are planning on graduating in absentia, or deferring your ceremony, you must also let us know in the Student System before registration closes on Thursday, 30 November 2023.
If you have lost IT access following completion of your course, you should go to https://iam.manchester.ac.uk/recover.
Access for disabled students: When you register, please let us know if you have any access requirements so we can make arrangements to ensure your ceremony goes smoothly. For example, there is a lift to access the stage at graduation ceremonies but we need to be aware when it'srequired. Please contact our Student Services on graduation@manchester.ac.uk if you have any requirements such as:
Wheelchair access
Guide or assistance dog
Temporary physical disability (e.g. broken leg)
Other individual needs or access requirements
Please name the subject of your email ‘Access Requirements for December Graduation’ and let us know no later than Thursday, 30 November 2023.
Everyone who has completed registration is guaranteed two guest tickets, these must be requested through the Student System when you register your intention to graduate. Please note, there are separate instructions for Global MBA Students which will be emailed to you.
No further tickets will be allocated prior to the ceremonies, however there is capacity to accommodate additional guests in our dedicated live screening venue in Theatre A, University Place (37 on the campus map). In the event that there are any additional tickets available for your ceremony, these will be allocated on a ‘first come first served’ basis on the day when registration opens for your ceremony.
You will receive an email confirming your registration on Thursday, 7 December 2023. You will need to show this email at the registration desk, University Place (37 on the campus map) when collecting your tickets on the day of your ceremony, so make sure you bring it with you on the day.
Please note: You cannot collect tickets or register more than 2 hours before your ceremony.
You must wear official academic dress (a gown, hood and cap) to your ceremony. You should book these online through Ede and Ravenscroft, or call them on +44 (0)1223 861854.
The deadline to book your academic dress is by Monday, 27 November 2023. Gowns must be worn and the online hire cost from Ede & Ravenscroft, the University's official gown hire is £42 for a Bachelor and Masters Gown and £56 for a Doctoral gown. If you forget to pre-order your gown, the hire cost on the day will be higher than the prices above.
Collecting your robes: Your hired academic dress will be available from the Robing area in University Place. You can collect your items up to two hours before your graduation ceremony.
You must have your Ede and Ravenscroft order number to collect your items. Make sure you keep your name label and pin, for returning your items after the ceremony.
Returning your robes: You must return all hired items to where you collected them after your ceremony (unless you have paid to keep your gown for an extra week).
What to wear with your academic dress: Your clothes will still be clearly visible under your gown. We expect that everyone will dress formally, as is appropriate to the occasion. You may find it useful to bring hair pins to hold your hat in place (if you have long hair), and a safety pin for your hood.
Please note: We request that you don't throw mortarboards for photos etc. - you may damage them, and unfortunately, we have had some injuries in the past caused by flying mortarboards!
The main graduation celebrations will be held in the Celebrations marquee, located next to University Place.
You and your two guests are invited to join the post ceremony celebrations within the marquee immediately after your ceremony - you’ll receive details of your celebrations directly from your School.
Tickets will be required to enter the marquee and these will be issued when you register on the day, along with your graduate seat number, and your two guest tickets for entry to the ceremony in Whitworth Hall. You will need to provide these upon entry into the Celebrations marquee so please remember to keep them safe.
All of our graduation ceremonies take place in Whitworth Hall, in the centre of our campus on Oxford Road. Use the interactive map to find further details.
Please make sure you check the timing of your graduation ceremony by visiting our ceremony Schedule of Ceremonies page. We recommend that you arrive on campus at least 90 minutes before your graduation ceremony starts. Late arrivals may not be able to attend the ceremony, so please plan your journey carefully and allow sufficient time.
TFGM (Transport for Greater Manchester) also have their own dedicated webpage with key advice for getting to the University of Manchester graduation ceremonies, including travel by tram, train, bus and instructions from the airport - take a look here.
Global MBA students:
Please note that Global MBA students will receive separate communication by email providing information for you to register to attend. Please do not try and register for graduation using the link on the graduation website as you will not be able to do so.
Check your personal details by Thursday, 30 November 2023:
If this link does not work or you receive an error message, please try clearing your cache or using another browser. We have found that this usually helps to fix the problem:
Once you have logged in, please select 'Self Service'.
Under the ‘Campus Personal information’ section, check that your name, mailing address and personal email address listed are all correct and up to date.
If you need to change your name, please email gmbasupport@manchester.ac.uk with a scanned copy of your passport/legal documentation, by Thursday, 30 November 2023 and we will update this for you.
If you’re unable to attend your ceremony for whatever reason, there's still a few steps you need to complete. You'll need to let us know you're not attending so we can make sure you recieve your certificate.
If you are unable to attend your graduation ceremony you can choose to either graduate in absentia or defer your ceremony for up to one year. You still need to register your choice and you can select to do either of these online when you receive your email inviting you to register.
Graduating in absentia means you will receive your award but not attend the ceremony. If you choose to graduate in absentia, you will not be able to attend a ceremony at a later date. Alternatively, if you are unable to attend your graduation but still may want to attend in the future, you can defer your ceremony for up to one year.
If you are not attending or wishing to defer, you should confirm in the Student System by Thursday, 30 November 2023, and ensure your details are up to date (home address, email address, name).
If you are graduating in absentia, you have two options:
Collect your certificate from Student Service Centre on or after the day of your ceremony.
Post the certificate to your home addresses. You will need to register your intention of attending or not attending. Please make sure that your address is correct and up to date on your student record if you choose this option.
You must ensure your home address and name (see guidance below) are fully updated no later than Thursday, 30 November 2023 - no amendments can be made after this date. You can find details on how to update your personal details under the 'Confirm my personal details' section above.
You will receive your certificate no later than Wednesday, 31 January 2024 – please do not contact Student Services regarding non-receipt of certificates until after the above date has passed.
If you do not complete the graduation registration processyour certificate will not be sent automatically. You will have 12 months from the date registration closes on Thursday, 30 November 2023 to request a physical copy of your certificate. This can be requested by contacting Student Services on graduation@manchester.ac.uk.
I have an outstanding tuition fee debt: It is our policy that degrees will not be awarded to anyone who has a tuition fee debt outstanding to the University.
If you owe tuition fee debts to the University, these must be settled by Thursday, 30 November 2023. If you settle any debt after this date, your name will not appear in the digital programme. If you are unsure what debts you owe to the University, email the Credit Control Team on self.funding@manchester.ac.uk as soon as possible.
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