Ceremony and receptions
- Arrival information for graduands and guests
- Order of ceremony
- After the ceremony
- Bag drop and cloakrooms
- Receptions and food outlets
Also see:
The Ceremony
Don’t forget to collect your reception drink tokens for your ticketed guests and yourself when you collect your academic dress.
Information for guests and graduands
Streatham Campus
Arrival at the Great Hall
Doors will open thirty minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. Graduands should enter the Great Hall via Main Reception, which is located just up the hill from the main Great Hall doors. Please note that this is a different entrance from the guest entrance to the Great Hall, so you will need to ensure that you and your guests all have access to a ticket, either printed out or on a mobile device.
Guests enter via the Sanctuary as signposted, all guests are asked to take their seats at least twenty minutes before the ceremony begins. You can check ceremony start times and find out more about the day's timetable on our website.
Except for guests with specific pre-booked accessible requirements, you are welcome to sit in any seat without a reserved label on it. As Graduands are seated in a separate area of the Great Hall, it is not possible for graduands and guests to sit together.
Penryn Campus
Arrival at the Ceremony Hall
Doors will open thirty minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. Graduands should enter the ceremony hall in the Sports Hall, please note that this is a different entrance from the guest entrance to the ceremony hall, so you will need to ensure that you and your guests all have access to a ticket, either printed out or on a mobile device.
All guests are asked to take their seats at least twenty minutes before the ceremony begins. You can check ceremony start times and find out more about the day's timetable on our website.
Except for guests with specific accessible pre-booked requirements, you are welcome to sit in any seat without a reserved label on it. As Graduands are seated in a separate area of the ceremony hall, it is not possible for graduands and guests to sit together.
Order of Ceremony
Each ceremony may differ slightly, but will broadly follow the format listed below.
| Entry of processions | The ceremony will begin with the entry of the processions. Graduands and guests are asked to stand when the music begins, and to remain standing until the processions have taken their places on the stage and the Chancellor/their representative asks you to be seated. |
| Opening Addresses | The Chancellor/their representative will formally open the congregation, and make some opening remarks, followed by a welcoming address by the Vice Chancellor/his representative and a short introduction from the Master of Ceremony. |
| Presentation of first cohort of graduands | The Master of Ceremony will call upon the presenter to present the first cohort of candidates for award. |
| Public Oration and Honorary Award (if applicable) | If your ceremony includes an Honorary Graduate, they will be introduced by a Public Oration and then admitted to their degree by the Chancellor/their representative. They will then be invited to address the congregation. |
| Presentation of second cohort of graduands | Following the Honorary Graduate's response, the second cohort of graduands will cross the stage. |
| Student Vote of Thanks | A representative of the Students' Guild or Students' Union will give a short vote of thanks speech. |
| Closing Address | The Chancellor/their representative will give a closing speech and formally close the congregation. |
| Exit of the Processions | When the music starts, all graduates and guests should stand for the exit of the processions. The Chancellor leaves first, followed by the Chancellor's procession and the Academic procession. Once the processions have left the hall, graduates will be directed to leave by the marshals. |
After the ceremony
Streatham campus
At the end of the ceremony, the graduates will process out of the Great Hall first. We ask that guests leave just after the graduands and meet them outside after their cohort photograph.
Penryn campus
At the end of the ceremony, the graduates will process out of the Ceremony Hall first. We ask that guests remain seated until the graduates have left, at which point you may leave via the marshals instructions and will be directed to our Italian Gardens to meet the graduates outside after their cohort photograph. If you require any assistance getting to the Italian Gardens, please make one of the Graduation team or marshals aware before leaving the hall.
Dogs
Please be advised that dogs (except for trained assistance dogs) are not permitted inside any of our campus buildings. We therefore strongly recommend that dogs are not brought to campus during graduation.
Wet weather
In the case of inclement weather, there will be an alternative photography plan, which will be announced at the end of the ceremony. Please follow the instructions of the marshals if this is the case.
Bag drop and cloakrooms
Please note that large bags and suitcases are not permitted in the Great Hall or in the ceremony hall at Penryn and we reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone carrying an oversized bag.
Streatham campus
Streatham has three bag drop areas for use during graduation, these are free of charge and are situated in the Forum, the Sanctuary and in Northcote House Reception.
The bag drops will be open between 08:00 - 17:30
Please keep your ticket and take a photo of it to ensure you collect your belongings before the bag drop closes each day in the Forum or immediately after the ceremony in the Sanctuary and Northcott House Reception.
All items are left at your own risk, and we cannot accept any liability for items left in the bag drops.
Bag drops immediately outside of the ceremony locations will be open for use during ceremonies only. Any items remaining at these after the ceremony end will be given to lost property.
The third bag drop at Streatham will be staffed all day.
Lost property
If you lose anything on the day, please visit our lost property website.
Penryn campus
Please note Penryn campus does not have a bag drop but lockers are available outside of the ceremony hall.
Receptions and food outlets
Streatham campus
In Streatham, all graduates and guests are invited to a reception (all graduates and ticketed guests are entitled to one free drink with their token) taking place in the Forum Street. This is a chance to celebrate with complimentary refreshments.
Please note that the receptions will last for 1 hour following the end of the ceremony.
For more information on food outlets on our campus, please see below.
| Outlet | Available Refreshments |
|---|---|
| Market Place, The Forum | Snacks, cold drinks, coffee, pastries, sandwiches, salads, soup and a wide range of other groceries and convenience items. Graduation merchandise is available. |
| OAK | Hot and cold drinks, cakes and snacks |
| The Ram Bar | Full menu including all the usual Ram favourites: basket meals, burgers, sandwiches, salads and of course curly fries! |
| Forum Kitchen | Hot and cold drinks, cakes and snacks, light lunch items, afternoon tea, gin & bubbles bar. Find out more. |
| Reed Hall |
Hot drinks and a range of snacks, light lunches, cakes and pastries in the cafe or book a table in our bar lounge Reed Hall | Eat and Shop | University of Exeter |
| Starbucks | Hot and cold drinks, hot and cold food and snacks. |
| Pret | Hot and cold drinks, hot and cold food and snacks. |
Other outlets may be open on campus – please check the What’s Open Now webpages for current opening times.
Penryn campus
In Penryn, all graduates and guests are invited to a reception (all graduates and ticketed guests are entitled to one free drink with their token) taking place in the Stannary/Italian Gardens. This is a chance to celebrate with friends, loved ones and academic staff with complimentary refreshments.
Please note that the receptions will last for 1 hour following the end of the ceremony.
For more information on food outlets on our campus, please see below.
| Outlet | Available Refreshments |
|---|---|
| The Stannary Refectory | Continental and full cooked breakfasts. Hot and cold drinks and food is also available throughout the day |
| Upper Stannary Bar | Alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks. There will be living streaming of the ceremonies from the Ceremony Hall. |
| Lower Bar | Alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks. There will be living streaming of the ceremonies from the Ceremony Hall. |
| Sustainability Café | Hot and cold drinks, and light refreshments. There will be living streaming of the ceremonies from the Ceremony Hall. |
| The Shop |
Snacks, treats and general requirements. |
| Koofi Café |
Hot and cold beverages and a selection of cakes. Paninis and Koofi pizza’s are also available throughout the day. |
