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Graduation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Please take a look through our FAQs, which we hope cover everything you need to know. If you have a query not answered by these FAQs then please contact graduation@qmul.ac.uk.

Who can attend the ceremonies? 

We have 3 main ceremony sets: Winter, Spring, and Summer. Which ceremony you can attend will depend on a number of criteria including when your course starts and finishes, whether you have deferred, and whether you are an UG or PG student.

You can read more about who will be invited to the ceremonies on our web page. 

What deadlines should I be aware of?

For each ceremony set, there will be a series of deadlines you need to be aware of. The deadlines for April ceremonies are below:

Gradfund- Applications open: 7 February 2024 
Gradfund- Applications close: 14 February 2024 (Midday) 
Bookings open: 14 February 2024 (Midday) 
Bookings close: 20 March 2024 (Midday) 
Extra ticket sales open: 22 March 2024 (Midday) 
Extra ticket sales close: 28 March 2024 (Midday)  
Refund request deadline: 8 May 2024 (Midday) 

The deadlines and dates for the summer ceremonies will be announced closer to the time.

Bookings and Ticketing

When will I be able to book my place at my graduation ceremony?

Bookings for April ceremonies are now closed. If you missed the deadline you will need to defer to a later ceremony.

Booking information for future ceremonies (Summer 2024 onwards) will be released approximately 2-3 months before the ceremonies.

What tickets are available for my graduation ceremony and how much do they cost?

Student tickets are free of charge and include access to the ceremony, a graduation programme and access to the post ceremony reception (1 food item and 1 drink).

Students will initially be able to purchase 2 guest tickets for the ceremony, and one live relay ticket. Students can register an interest in purchasing additional tickets for guests when making a booking. 

Only students who register interest in additional tickets will be eligible to purchase extra tickets if they are made available. 

Guest tickets for the ceremony are £25 each and include access to the ceremony and access to the post ceremony reception (1 food item and 1 drink). Live relay tickets cost £5 each and cover access to the live relay for 1 adult and two children under 5 years of age, and access to the post ceremony reception (no food or drink included but it will be possible to purchase on the day.) If you would like to purchase programmes for your guests, these will be available to purchase on the day of your ceremony, or in advance when you purchase your tickets.

Are children permitted to attend graduation?

Children under the age of 5 are not permitted to enter the ceremony hall and are recommended to sit in the live relay theatre.

Graduates who are parents or guardians of a child under the age of 5 can contact the Events and Ceremonies Team at graduation@qmul.ac.uk to enquire about specific tickets available.

What information will I need when I book my ticket?

You will require your Student ID number (9 digit number printed on your student ID card) in order to book tickets. You will also require a Credit/Debit card to make payment for gown hire and for any guest tickets you wish to purchase.

How do I purchase extra tickets?

Students who register their interest in extra tickets will be contacted once bookings have closed with details about how to purchase. We may also have tickets available on the day to purchase on a first come first served basis. If any extra tickets are available to purchase this way, this will be communicated to students closer to the ceremony date.

My payment for booking did not complete. What should I do?

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 you receive a confirmation email.

If you are still having trouble, you can use the Live Chat facility on the ‘Marston Events’ website, or email 
enquiries@marstonevents.com or can also telephone 01293 822 211.

I want to change my booking. Can I do this?

Yes, simply log back into the Marston Events website and you can amend your booking. If you wish to make any amendments after the booking deadline, then please contact graduation@qmul.ac.uk who will arrange if possible.

Before the Ceremonies

Where will the Graduation ceremonies be held? 

April 2024 graduation ceremonies will take place at the Queen Mary Mile End Campus.

Am I able to apply for the Gradfund this year?

The Graduation Fund aims to support Queen Mary students who are facing financial hardship with the cost of graduation. The fund covers the cost of cap and gown hire and is open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. It primarily aims to support students who otherwise could not afford the cost of attending graduation and we particularly encourage applications from students not in contact with their family (estranged), students who are parents or carers and students from lower income backgrounds. 

Applications for April's Grad Fund are now closed and we are unable to accept late applications. Please email su-representation@qmul.ac.uk for any questions about the application decisions.

How do I apply for the Gradfund?

Applications for April's Grad Fund are closed. Applications are being considered by a panel at the Students' Union and students will be informed of the outcome within 5 working days. If you have applied for the Grad Fund please hold off on booking your place at graduation until you hear of the outcome to your application.

Successful applicants will be sent a unique one-time use discount code to apply at the time of booking.

Unsuccessful applicants will need to book and pay as usual. 

Please note: Unfortunately, we are unable to accept late applications. While we aim to support as many students as possible, we often receive a high volume of applications and cannot guarantee all applicants will receive funding. If you have any questions about the Grad Fund please email su-representation@qmul.ac.uk.  

I've booked graduation, what do I do now?

For information on your next steps for Graduation, please see our on the day information.

I haven't received my results – do I need to contact you?

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 please visit our I Can't Attend page for more information about refunds and deferring your graduation.  Refund requests after the deadline date cannot be processed. 

Visa Advice

I'm an international student hoping to come to the UK for my graduation ceremony

Please refer to the Advice and Counselling Web Page which explains which documents you need to provide to support your Visitor visa application, including how you can demonstrate that you will be attending your graduation ceremony. If you have questions about the visa application process or requirements after reading this information, you can contact the Advice and Counselling Service through their web form. 

I need visitor visas for my family to attend my graduation

Read our Advice and Counselling service’s guidance about Visitor visa permission for your family member(s). The guidance explains the documents you will need to provide, including how to write the letter of invitation from you.

I cannot attend my ceremony

I missed the deadline to book. What happens next?

If you have missed the booking deadline you will not be able to book onto this ceremony set.

If you would like to attend a future ceremony you should complete our online deferral form to let us know which ceremonies you'd like to attend. Please note you will not receive a confirmation email when you complete this form, but we will contact you 2-3 months before your selected ceremony set. 

I cannot attend this ceremony. What should I do?

Please visit our I can't attend page for what to do if you are unable to attend your graduation ceremony.

I can no longer attend. Do I get a refund?

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, or in the event of industrial action. Further information on how to get a refund is available online.

I can no longer attend. I would like to defer.

Please defer using our deferral form. 

I can no longer attend. Can I transfer my ticket to another student?

Re-sale or passing on tickets to other graduates is not permitted. Any re-sold or passed on tickets will be removed at check-in and guests will not be able to use them. Each guest ticket is specifically designated to a student ID and is not transferable. 

I am worried that transport strikes mean I will not be able to attend.

Should new strikes be announced, information will be available online via the TFL website and National Rail website

We understand that strikes are worrying for some of you who may find it difficult to reach London if you were planning on using public transport.

We understand that even with other transport options being available, some of our students and their guests may not be able to make it to their graduation ceremony, should strikes be announced. Students / guests who are no longer able to attend due to strikes may request refunds. 

On the day

Where do I need to go, and when do I need to arrive on the day?

Please read the on the daysection of this site for full details. Details will also be emailed to you before the day. 

How long is a ceremony?

Each ceremony will last between 1 and 1.5 hours. Ceremonies will be followed by a reception. Graduands are encouraged to arrive 2 hours before their ceremony starts to collect tickets and gowns.

I have been awarded a prize. Will my prize be read out at graduation?

The Education Quality and Standards Board state that only College prizes, named prizes and externally sponsored prizes are read at graduation ceremonies. Whilst other prizes can be awarded to students these are not called out at graduation.

When will I receive my degree certificate?

For April ceremonies, certificates will be handed out on the day. If you cannot attend the ceremonies your certificate will be posted to you so please make sure your address is up to date on MYSIS. Please note that certificates are managed by Registry Services and information can be found on the Student Enquiry Centre’s Degree Certificate webpage

Will I be seated with my guests?

Graduands and guests will be seated separately as they need to cross the stage in a specific order determined by their school, course, award and name. 

Myself or one of my guests has accessibility requirements. What should I do?

When you book your tickets online there is a box where you can provide these details for either yourself or your guest. Please see our on the day webpage for further details. If you have forgotten to note this when bookings were open, please email enquiries@marstonevents.com and ask them to update this for you.

Is parking available on site?

Parking is only available if it has been pre- arranged with the Events and Ceremonies team. Please use the box on the booking website to make us aware of any access requirements when you book.

Where can I find out more about the Queen Mary alumni community?

Visit the alumni stand to meet members of the Alumni Engagement team and find out more about our global alumni community.

Where can I apply for an Alumni Extra Card during graduation?

Alumni Extra Cards will not be available during graduation. However, you can apply for an Alumni Extra Card online. 

Photography and Gowning

I have forgotten to book photos. What should I do?

We do advise that you book your photographs before the day. However, photographs can be purchased on the day so please don’t panic if you have forgotten to book them in advance. To find out more about photography packages, please contact Marston Events via email at 
enquiries@marstonevents.com or phone : 01293 822 211. 

Can guests join me for photography if they do not have tickets?

Yes, guests without tickets can still come onto campus to join you for photos.

I have a question to ask about my gown. Who do I contact? 

Please contact enquiries@marstonevents.com  who will be able to assist. You can also read more about gowning online.

What should I wear?

Graduation ceremonies are formal occasions and we ask that graduands and their guests dress appropriately. Jeans and trainers are not appropriate. Please see our gowning and photography section for further information.

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