Congregations
Winter 2025
The Winter 2025 ceremonies were primarily for students finishing courses between July 2025 and November 2025. They took place from 1 to 5 December 2025.
Winter 2025 schedule with times (PDF: 113KB)
Gown Hire
All graduates are strongly recommended to wear the official Newcastle University Gown and Hood for the ceremony.
Hire is for one day only and charges are as follows:
Non-Degree Qualifications (Diplomas and Certificates) = £44
Undergraduate Degrees = £44
Postgraduate Masters Degrees = £49
Doctorate Degrees = £54
MyGraduationClip
MyGraduationClip create short, personalised video clips which capture your special moment on-stage during the ceremony. Each graduate will receive a free personalised clip which you'll be able to download and share to your favourite social media apps.
To receive your free personalised video clip, you'll need to register your email address via this booking form. You will be sent your video moments after your ceremony.
Extra Tickets
Live screening tickets are available for expecting graduates to purchase, ahead of their ceremony. If there are spare guest seats available in the main hall, these will also be available. We will provide further information in Spring about Extra Tickets; updating our webpage, and by emailing expecting graduates.
Celebrating your Graduation in Newcastle
Here are some ideas for ways to celebrate your graduation in Newcastle:
Booking Your Place
If you were expected to complete your course by mid-November 2025, we emailed you an application form to complete.
If you did not wish to attend the December ceremony:
You were given the option to have your certificate posted by free standard delivery, purchase DHL tracked delivery (international only) or to collect it in person.
The application form gave you the option to defer your ceremony to the July 2026 ceremonies. If you chose this option, we will contact you in the New Year (February/Marc time) with an invitation to the summer ceremony.
Visa Invitation Letter
If you need an invitation letter to your ceremony, to support a visa application for you or your guests, complete the visa letter request form.
Student Orator
We appoint one Student Orator for each Congregation ceremony. The orator speaks at their ceremony on behalf of their cohort of students.
If you are chosen, you'll provide an invaluable contribution to the day. You'll help to make it unique and memorable for everyone there. It will be an unforgettable experience for you - and one which will enhance your CV.
Student Orators are awarded a certificate in recognition of their contribution, and a studio photography package with our official photographers free of charge.
We welcome applications from all students attending the Congregations. Academic performance is not taken into account when we choose the Orator, but you must have passed your programme by mid-November, to be confirmed as the Student Orator.
Applications for Student Orator are now closed.
Disclaimer
In the event that the congregation ceremonies have to be cancelled, delayed, postponed or curtailed due to circumstances beyond the University’s control, the University shall endeavour to provide graduates with as much notice as is reasonably practical.
The University will not be liable for any losses, direct or otherwise, incurred by graduates or their guests in the event of Newcastle University’s Congregation Ceremonies being cancelled, delayed, postponed or curtailed due to circumstances beyond the control of the University.
Circumstances that would constitute a force majeure may include, but are not limited to:
- fire
- flood
- explosion
This also includes any other incident that renders the venue or areas in which the event is due to be held unsafe to use;
- terrorist act (or threat of a terrorist act)
- natural disaster
- pandemic
- industrial action
- a period of national mourning
Photography and Filming
Photography and filming will be taking place during all ceremonies and around campus. The ceremonies will be streamed live and videos will then be openly available on demand via the University’s YouTube channel for a period of 6 months. Occasionally, these photographs and film will be used for University marketing materials, both print and digital. If you do not wish to appear in the photographs or film please make this known to our photographer, film crew or a member of staff. Every effort will be made to ensure that you are removed from any photographs or film.