Registration FAQs

 

Do I have to attend the ceremony?

No. The graduation ceremonies are celebratory events for you to formally receive your award in front of your guests and fellow graduates and celebrate your achievements at Manchester. However, you may choose to graduate in absentia if you prefer.

 

I have outstanding tuition fees – can I still register to come to the ceremony?

If you have any tuition fees owing to the University, you cannot attend the ceremony and your certificate and transcripts are withheld until the debt is settled. To be eligible to graduate, all outstanding debts must be paid by Wednesday, 26 November 2025.

 

I have registered to attend graduation and have not received my confirmation email or my confirmation email states that I have zero tickets allocated?

All confirmation emails will be sent on Tuesday, 2 December. If after this point you have still not received your email, this may indicate that you have tuition fees owing to the University (any outstanding tuition fees will prevent you from graduation or obtaining any official documents). Please contact graduation@manchester.ac.uk if you need to discuss this or you think this is a mistake. 

 

How do I register?

Register your attendance or non-attendance via the instructions provided to you in your email or on the ‘Preparing to graduate’ page. 

Please note: Global MBA students will be provided with different instructions on how to register but all dates are still applicable.

 

When should I register?

Registration opens on Thursday, 9 October 2025 and closes on Wednesday, 26 November 2025.

 

What will happen when I register?

You should register to:

  • Attend the ceremony with or without guests (two guests maximum).
  • Not Attend, known as ‘Graduating in Absentia’, where you choose not to attend the ceremony and your certificate will be posted to you. Please do not query non-arrival of your certificate until after 31 January 2026  if not already received by this date.
  • Choose to defer your ceremony to either July 2026 or December 2026.
 

I can’t register - what do I do? 

Please do not attempt to register until registration opens on Thursday, 9 October 2025

If you have received notification to register for the December 2025 graduation ceremonies via email, but are having trouble registering, please email graduation@manchester.ac.uk

 

I need to change my email address/postal address/home telephone number

Please login to the Student System where you will be able to make changes until the registration deadline of  Wednesday, 26 November 2025.

It’s important for certificates being posted to overseas addresses that you ensure your home telephone number and personal email is correct. If you do not update your home address details on the system before the date above, your Degree Certificate might be posted to a wrong address. In this case, you will need purchase a replacement certificate through the e-store.

You also need to ensure your name is up to date in the Student System. You can only view your full name when registering to attend or graduating in absentia for graduation. This is the name that will be printed on your certificate and will appear in the official graduation programme. 

 

I don't wish to have my name printed in the official programme

Should you not wish to have your name printed on the official graduation programme please notify us as soon as possible. You'll need to email graduation@manchester.ac.uk  with the subject line 'Remove my name from the official programme for December 2025'. 

 

How can I request that my preferred name be read out during the ceremony instead of my legal name?

You can submit your preferred name in the section provided on the registration page. Please note that your Degree Certificate will have your legal name printed.

 

Can I defer my graduation ceremony? 

Yes, you are permitted to defer your graduation ceremony for up to 12 months. You need to record the deferral through My Manchester, otherwise you will not be permitted to attend a future ceremony. 

To do so, log into the Student System, register to not attend the December 2025 ceremony and select the deferred option (July 2026 or December 2026). GMBA students can select this option in the registration survey that will be emailed to you when registration opens.