Before the day - undergraduate ceremonies
Make sure you're ready for everything your graduation day has in store by reading all of the information on this page, which will be updated in the run-up to graduation, with information including how to register and key deadlines.
Eligibility and registration
Regardless of whether you wish to attend graduation in person, or graduate in absentia, please ensure you register your intention by the deadline. To be confirmed early in 2024.
Eligibility
You need to register your graduation intentions (attending or graduating in absentia before results are published. In order to graduate at ceremonies in July 2024, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be in your final year and have an 'Expected End Date' of June 2024
- Register your graduation intentions by the deadline
- Successfully complete your programme of study
- Your examination results must have been submitted to the Student Administration Service by their deadline (your department or the Student Administration Service can provide you with information relating to their deadlines)
- Have no outstanding debts to the University
You will be required to complete the registration process on the assumption that you will successfully complete your studies. Receiving an email invitation to register does not imply you have been successful; we invite all students who may successfully complete in time so they can make arrangements in advance. Don’t wait until you receive your results to register for the ceremony because this is after the registration deadline. If you have not successfully completed when we receive the examination results, we will automatically remove you from the attendee list.
Graduating in person
When you register for graduation, you will be able to apply for guest tickets and advise us of any special seating or access requirements that you or your guests may have. The registration also serves as confirmation of your personal details (eg: confirmation of your name as it will appear in the ceremony programme and on your certificate). For more information on your name, please refer to the Your Name section.
Graduating in absentia
If you are not attending in person, the registration process enables you to confirm your personal details (eg: confirmation of your name as it will appear on your certificate) and to provide the address where your certificate should be posted to. You should also ensure that you have read the information relating to the postage of certificates.
Cancelling your place following registration
If you are no longer able to attend graduation after you register, you will be able to cancel. If you don’t cancel your place in advance, we will be unable to send you your certificate.
Your name
Printed name
When you open the registration form, your name will be shown. This is taken from your student record and will be the name printed in the programme and on your certificate. Names are printed following the naming convention at the University and will appear as forename, middle name(s), surname as held on the record. If this is incorrect, you need to change it before you register.
Further information will be given at the time of registration.
Certificates
Attending graduation
If you attend your ceremony you will receive your certificate on the day.
Not attending graduation
If you are not attending graduation you need to register your intention to graduate in absentia. Doing so not only gives you the opportunity to confirm your personal details, but also to provide an address for us to post your certificate to following the ceremonies. If you don't complete this process, we are unable to send your certificate.
It is not possible for someone to collect your certificate on your behalf at the graduation ceremony.
Further details on how to receive your certificate will be given nearer the time.
Robe hire
It is a University Regulation that graduands wear the correct academic dress. You can hire or purchase these directly from the official robe makers for the University, Ede & Ravenscroft, or an alternative supplier that provides University Regulation compliant academic dress.
Further information on how to hire robes will be given nearer the time.
Tickets
A maximum of 2 guest tickets are guaranteed, along with your own graduand ticket.
Additional tickets
If additional guest tickets are available, you will be notified by email. The exact date and instructions on how to obtain additional tickets will be confirmed closer to the time.
Special seating arrangements
You must inform us of any specific access requirements or special assistance that you or your guests may need by completing the relevant section of the graduation registration form.
Once tickets have been allocated, we may not be able to accommodate special arrangements, but we will do our best to meet these requirements.
If you require the loan of a wheelchair for the day, visit your local British Red Cross Association
Children
Children over the age of three will require a ticket for the ceremony.
Due to the length and formal nature, we do not recommend bringing young children to the ceremony. Guests with young children may wish to watch the ceremony live in the Auditorium in the Students’ Union, where the atmosphere is informal and tickets are not required.
Children are not permitted on the platform at any time.
Schedule
The full ceremony schedule will be available closer to the time.
Photography and souvenirs
Official photographs
The official graduation photographers are Ede and Ravenscroft and you will find them located in the Students' Union on each day. You can pre-book photography packages when you order your robes through Ede & Ravenscroft or you can turn up on the day.
Official graduation film
Your graduation ceremony will be recorded by the University and will be available for you to purchase on a USB memory stick.
University gifts and souvenirs
University gifts and souvenirs are a great way to remember your time at the University of Sheffield. A full range of gifts and souvenirs, including ‘Made in Sheffield’ items, will be available for purchase in the foyer of the Octagon Centre on graduation days.
Graduands' checklist
A checklist of important tasks and deadlines will be available nearer the time.
Graduands' final details
Will be available here nearer the time.
Terms and conditions
Cancellation or postponement of the event
While every effort will be made to host graduation ceremonies as planned, the University may cancel, delay, or postpone its graduation ceremonies due to circumstances beyond its control or where ceremonies can no longer reasonably or safely take place.
In the event of any postponement or cancellation, the University will communicate this clearly on its website and will contact each attending student directly with as much notice as is reasonably practical.
The University will not be liable for any costs incurred by either the graduand or guests due to postponement or cancellation of the event. This includes, but is not limited to, travel, accommodation and subsistence costs or any loss of business or earnings.
Therefore, the University strongly advises that graduands and their guests ensure they have sufficient insurance protection to cover any losses they may incur as a result of postponement or cancellation of ceremonies and book flexible rates for travel and accommodation wherever possible.
Academic robes
By confirming your attendance at graduation, you the graduand confirm that you agree to wear official University of Sheffield academic robes provided by our official supplier, robing company Ede & Ravenscroft Ltd, or an alternative, University Regulation compliant supplier at the ceremony.
Data Protection
Publication of names
The names of graduating students will be printed in the graduation programme which is available to all ticketed guests on the day. If you would like your name removed from this publication, you must advise the Events Team in writing. Please email graduation@sheffield.ac.uk giving your full name, student registration number and award title and clearly confirm that you wish to be removed from the programme.
We do not print degree classification in the graduation programme.
Digital media
Graduation video - The ceremony proceedings are filmed and the recording is available to purchase after the ceremony. By electing to take part in the ceremony proceedings, you are giving permission for your image to be recorded.
Graduation live web cast of the ceremony - The graduation ceremonies are broadcast live over the University web site. By electing to take part in the ceremony proceedings, you are giving permission for your image to be recorded and broadcasted.
Photography - Professional photographers will be on campus during graduation and their photographs may be used in the university's future promotional literature. By electing to take part in the ceremony proceedings, you are giving permission for your image to be photographed and used.
Graduand and guest conduct
Graduands and guests are expected to behave in a manner fitting for the occasion. Any person who becomes disruptive will be asked to leave the hall.
More on data privacy and terms and conditions can be found here.