Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Booking your tickets using Graduation Registration
Q. When can I purchase my ceremony tickets?
A. Tickets will go on sale in April and the booking system will close at midday on Friday 24 May.
Q. When I put my student ID number into the booking system, it doesn't recognise me.
A. Please call the Events Office on +44 (0)20 7882 5895 or (0) 020 7882 3485 and we will resolve this problem over the phone..
Q. I’m a Joint Honours student and I’m not sure which ceremony I should be graduating in?
A. You should graduate with your “home” school which is the main school you are registered with for your course.
Q. One or more of my guests is disabled. What do I need to tell you in the special requirements box?
A. Please give us as much detail as possible to ensure we can put in place the proper arrangements. You may just need to ensure that your guests have seats on the ground floor or with extra leg room – this is not a problem. Alternatively, if you require space for a wheelchair this can also be arranged. A limited number of disabled parking spaces are available for Blue Badge holders only. Please request one of these spaces at the time of booking and include details of the Blue Badge so a member of the team can arrange this for you.
Q. Can I bring children to watch the ceremony?
A. We regret that children under five years of age cannot be admitted to watch the ceremony. However, we do provide a Live Relay Theatre where children under five and parents can watch the ceremony live on a big screen.
Q. When I enter my credit / debit card details the booking does not complete.
A. Please double check you have entered your card details correctly. Some types of credit card and cards registered abroad can be declined by the booking system so we advise you to try an alternative card. Please note that your booking is NOT confirmed until the payment is successfully processed and your receive a confirmation email.
Q. Will I be sent tickets in the post?
A. No, we do not send you any tickets for the ceremony. You will receive an email from the website confirming your booking and you should bring a print-out of this email with your student ID card on the day of the ceremony to collect your tickets.
Q. I have made a mistake and want to change my booking. Can I do this?
A. Yes, simply log back into Graduation Registration and you can amend your booking.
Q. Can I get a refund for tickets I don't want?
A. Tickets purchased for Queen Mary graduation ceremonies are non-refundable. The only exception to this policy is that refunds will be issued in the case of academic failure by the student due to graduate. In these circumstances a full refund will be offered, although this will not be issued automatically. Students who have not successfully completed their course must contact the Events Office by email to graduation@qmul.ac.uk with their name, course details and student ID number by 19 July 2013. Requests for a refund will then be reviewed and verified against your student record before a refund is issued to the credit/debit card used to make the booking. This process may take up to 28 days.
Q. Why do I have to pay for ceremony tickets?
A. Your Graduation Ceremony is a major event and accordingly the college makes a charge for guest tickets to cover the costs associated with staging the ceremonies. However, we do not make a charge for graduand tickets and you are therefore able to attend your ceremony free-of-charge. All tickets include a high quality souvenir programme for each ticket holder, a drinks reception after the ceremony and obviously entry to the ceremony itself. The college does not make a profit from the organisation of Graduation Ceremonies.
Before the day
Q. I have received my results – do I need to contact you?
A. If you have passed your final examinations and have been awarded a final classification you do not need to contact us. Your results will be passed to us and you will be allocated a place in the ceremony. If your results mean you will not be graduating you may contact us to organise a refund and discuss graduating at a later date.
Q. I have forgotten to book my gown and/or photographs – what should I do?
A. If you have missed the deadline for booking your gown you should contact the gown hire company (Edes and Ravenscroft) straight away on 01223 861854. It is likely that they will instruct you to bring cash on the day of the ceremony to hire one of the spare gowns which will be available.The photographs can be purchased on the day so please don’t panic if you have forgotten to book them in advance.
Q. I need more guest tickets – can I find out if there are any spare?
A. You should request extra guest tickets at the time of booking - you can request up to two more. If extra tickets are available, you will be emailed after Friday 31 May and invited to purchase the additional tickets. Extra tickets are NOT guaranteed and will be subject to availability, so please don't make travel arrangements for guest who do not have confirmed tickets.
On the day
Q. What time should I arrive and where should I go?
A. Please read the “On the day” section of this site for full details.
Q. What should I wear?
A. Graduation ceremonies are formal occasions and we ask that graduands and their guests dress appropriately. Clothing with buttons down the front is highly recommended to secure the loop on the hood. The hood can be pinned but this can damage the fabric. We therefore ask gentlemen to wear a suit or a shirt and tie, and ladies are advised to wear a blouse. All graduands should wear smart shoes as these are very noticeable when walking across the stage.
Q. Will my name and degree result be printed in the programme?
A. We endeavour to print all names in the programme but cannot guarantee that all names will be included. We only indicate degree classification where the student has been awarded a First Class Honour or a Merit/Distinction.
Q. How long will the ceremony last?
A. The length of a ceremony varies depending on the number of graduands present. However most ceremonies take around 1 hour. They are followed by a drinks reception afterwards in the Octagon which also lasts about 1 hour.
Q. What do the refreshments after the ceremony consist of?
A. The drinks reception is where you have the opportunity to celebrate your graduation with family, friends and academic staff from your department. The refreshments include alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, buffet selection of food (including vegetarian options) and tea/coffee. All meat served is Halal.