You must arrive at the venue two hours before your ceremony is due to commence. This is to ensure you allow enough time to check in, collect your cap and gown and be seated in the Ceremony Hall 30 minutes before the ceremony is due to start. All students must have a pre-booked graduand ticket and they will not be able to take part in the ceremony without it.  

Please follow our step-by-step guide:

48 hours before your ceremony 

Step 1. Receive your QR codes via email 
At least 48 hours before your ceremony you will receive your QR codes via email which will be scanned in on arrival at Graduation. Please note, these do not guarantee entry to the ceremony venue and need to be scanned to guarantee entry. Your QR code contains your seat number.

If you pre-purchased a graduation programme you will also be sent an individual QR code for each programme you have purchased. These QR codes can be scanned on the day in exchange for a programme.

All QR codes are emailed to the email address used when booking for graduation. It is the responsibility of the graduand to share guest tickets with guests before the ceremony.

2 hours before your ceremony begins

Step 2. Arrive 2 hours before and check in. 

Arrive 2 hours before your ceremony begins and go straight to scan your ticket QR codes that you received via email. Once scanned, you will be given your tickets. If there are any issues with your tickets you will be directed to the Information Point. Please note, you cannot collect your gown before you have scanned your QR code. You must bring photo ID with you when you collect your ticket. Please note: it is the students responsibility to pass any tickets on to guests. Tickets can not be transferred or re-sold.

If you pre-purchased a programme you will be able to scan your QR codes at the check in area and collect your programmes. Please note, graduate programmes are free and are placed on seats inside the hall and not distributed at check in.

Step 3. Purchase additional tickets and programmes (If required or available – NOT guaranteed)
Please note, additional ticket sales cannot be guaranteed. If additional tickets are available to purchase on the day of graduation you will be notified via email before your ceremony. If you do not receive this email, this means that no additional tickets will be for sale for your ceremony.

After you have checked in, if additional tickets and/or programmes are available, you will be able to purchase these. Please note, these cannot be guaranteed and will be sold on a first come first served basis and we can only accept card payments. Read more about ticket types on our ticketing page.
  
Step 4. Gown Collection and Photography 
Next, go to collect your gown. If you have time (you need to be in the Ceremony Hall 30 minutes prior to your ceremony start time) you can have your photos taken before your ceremony or, you can have them taken after your ceremony. If you have not already booked a photography package you can purchase one on the day. Guests who do not have tickets can attend photography sessions with graduands. Please note, only card payments can be accepted.

If you have time make sure to visit:

• Campus Clothing Stand- Where you can purchase a great range of souvenirs and gifts, many of which can be instantly personalised.
• Alumni Stand- receive a warm welcome to our global Queen Mary alumni community.  
• Students’ Union Stand– Find out what the Students’ Union has to offer. From official merchandise and clothing to the perfect gifts, homeware and teddy bears, we have a range of products to suit your needs. Click and collect in advance or order online for home delivery too.
• Careers Stand– Did you know that you have access to the Careers services for 3 years after graduation? Visit the Careers and Enterprise stall to find out more about how we can continue to support you.

Stands location tbc

Step 5. Graduation Ceremony  
Please arrive at the Ceremony Hall 30 minutes before the ceremony. Each ceremony lasts between 1 -1.5 hours. Late graduands will not be admitted to the ceremony and will have to defer their graduation ceremony.

Your certificate will be posted to your home address (please ensure your home address is correct in MySIS). Please note that certificates are managed by Registry Services and information can be found on the Student Enquiry Centre’s Degree Certificate webpage. 

We ask that all attendees only bring small bags with them to the ceremony as we have limited cloakroom space on site.

After your ceremony

Step 6. Celebrate your success  
Celebrate with your friends and family at our graduation reception.

The graduation reception is open to everyone to attend. Graduands and guests with Ceremony Hall tickets can exchange their wristband tokens for a drink and food item. All graduands and guests are welcome to purchase additional food and drink.

Step 7. Gown Return 
Please return your gown after your reception finishes. 

What to Wear

Graduation ceremonies are formal occasions and we request graduands and their guests dress appropriately. Academic dress is compulsory to attend the ceremonies.

Jeans and trainers are not acceptable forms of dress for a graduation ceremony.

 

Access Requirements 

All of the venues used for graduation ceremonies are fully accessible. It is the responsibility of the graduate to inform the Events and Ceremonies Team of access requirements when booking to attend the ceremony.

Other Info

Please be aware that if you do not wish to shake hands with the Principal on religious grounds when walking on stage, you should carry your graduation ceremony programme in your hand as you cross the stage and he will act appropriately.

How to find the Great Hall, Mile End

Please visit the website to view a map showing the venue location. The full venue address is:

The Great Hall
Queen Mary, University of London
Mile End Road
London, E1 4NS