Congregations
Winter 2025
The Winter 2025 ceremonies are primarily for students finishing courses between July 2025 and November 2025. They will take place from 1 to 5 December 2025.
We will email all eligible students about the ceremonies, during September 2025. If you believe you will be eligible to attend the Winter 2025 ceremonies and have not received an email from the Congregations Office by 19 September 2025, please email us.
Winter 2025 schedule with times (PDF: 113KB)
Booking Your Place
If you are expected to complete your course by mid-November 2025, we will email you an application form to complete. If you have not received this form by 19 September 2025, please contact us.
Your graduate ticket and up to two guest tickets are free of charge.
All tickets include:
- entry to the Congregation Ceremony
- a ceremony programme (1 per graduate and 1 per 2 guests)
- entry to the post-ceremony reception
Eligibility:
To be eligible to graduate at the Winter 2025 ceremonies, you must complete your course and appear on a pass list by 12 November 2025.
If you have debts to the University, these must be reduced to under £100 by 12 November 2025 in order to attend your December 2025 ceremony, and must be cleared completely for you to receive your certificate.
If you do not wish to attend the December ceremony:
Please complete the application form to let us know you will not be attending. You will be 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 will also let you defer your ceremony to the July 2026 ceremonies.
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.
Gown Hire
All graduates are strongly recommended to wear the official Newcastle University Gown and Hood for the ceremony.
Gown hire is open from Monday 13th October and will be available until Friday 21st November. Place your order directly with Gray & Son of Durham.
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
We recommend ordering your gown in advance. If you miss the booking window, you can hire your gown on the day. Please note hire purchases on the day will be CASH ONLY.
Extra Tickets
There will be some extra tickets for all ceremonies, but the majority of extra tickets will be in the Live Screening of the ceremony rather than in the ceremonial Hall itself.
Please view the Extra Tickets page for further information.
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 a booking form - link coming soon. You will be sent your video moments after your ceremony.
On the Day
Check our On the Day page for more information about what to expect on your graduation day.
Flowers
Celebrate graduation with Didi's Flower Box! A beautiful flower cart - once a horse box, now a stunning floral display - will be available at Winter Congregations in the Student Forum to brighten your big day.
Pre-order your blooms now so you can collect on the day. Please make sure to include the graduation date and ceremony time in the order notes at checkout to ensure they are available for you on the day to collect.
Celebrating your Graduation in Newcastle
Here are some ideas for ways to celebrate your graduation in Newcastle:
Frequently Asked Questions
Still got more questions regarding your graduation day? Check our Frequently Asked Questions
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.