On the Day
What to expect on your Ceremony Day.
On the Day
You should arrive 90 minutes before your ceremony:
1. Register and collect all tickets and your certificate from the Boiler House
2. Collect your gown from Bamburgh Room, Hadrian Building
3. Graduates to be admitted 30 minutes before the ceremony begins. Guests will be admitted 20 minutes before the ceremony begins. Ensure you have given your guests their tickets before you enter the hall.
Your ceremony will last approximately 45 minutes, with the exception of honorary ceremonies which can last up to 75 minutes.
After your ceremony
4. Attend the reception in the Lindisfarne Room, Hadrian Building. This will last for 45 minutes, straight after your ceremony.
Anytime during the day
5. Visit the professional photography studios in Level 1 King's Gate. You do not need a booking, pop by for your proofs, then you can order online afterwards.
Also check out the NUSU shop for NCL merchandise, open 10am - 4pm in King's Gate, Level 1.
Before you leave
Return your gown to the Bamburgh Room, Hadrian Building
*Only graduates can collect tickets. Bring your Student ID (or other photographic ID)
Ticket and degree collection
90 minutes before your ceremony
Check in and collect all your tickets and degree certificate from the Boiler House. Seat numbers are allocated on a first come, first served basis when you arrive at the Ticket Desk.
We have to give tickets to the candidate only, so please don't send one of your guests to collect them. You will need to bring your Student ID (or other photographic ID) with you.
| Your ceremony time | Collect your tickets from: |
| 10:00 | 08:30 |
| 12:00 | 10:30 |
| 14:00 | 12:30 |
| 16:00 | 14:30 |
Gown collection
All graduates are strongly recommended to wear the official Newcastle University Gown and Hood for the ceremony.
Gown hire will open in mid-October and will be open for approximately 4 weeks. We recommend ordering your gown in advance. 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
Doctorates = £54
If you miss the booking window, you can hire your gown on the day.
Collect your gown from Bamburgh Room, Hadrian Building.
|
Your ceremony time: |
Collect your gown from: |
Return your gown by: |
|
10:00 |
08:30 |
18:00* |
|
12:00, 14:00, 16:00 |
10:00 onwards |
18:00* |
* Please note for Thursday 4th December gowns must be returned by 15:00.
If you miss the gown pre-order window, you can hire your gown on the day. On the day gown hire will be CASH ONLY.
No mortar board
Most Academic dress (PDF: 653KB) at Newcastle University does not include a mortar board, by tradition. The story goes that when Newcastle became an independent university in 1963, students celebrated freedom by throwing their traditional hats into the River Tyne. Since then, Newcastle University academic dress has not included a mortar board.
Ceremony
Your ceremony will last approximately 45 minutes, with the exception of honorary ceremonies which can last up to 75 minutes.
The academic procession will enter, and the Presiding Officer will deliver a short welcome speech. A marshal will then indicate when you should stand, and you will be guided down edge of the hall to the side of the stage. From there the Hooding Marshal will place the hood* over your head to rest on your shoulders and the Reader will announce your name. You will then walk across the stage to the Presiding Officer and shake hands (if you do not wish to, please hold a copy of the graduation brochure in both hands to signal this). You will then return down the centre aisle to your seat.
The presentation of graduates will end with a speech from the Student Orator. After this the Academic Procession will leave the hall first, and then graduates will be applauded out of the hall and past the Martin Luther King Statue where a group photo will be taken. The guests will follow out behind the graduates shortly after.
See our watch online section to view previous ceremonies.
*Please note recipients of certificates and diplomas will wear a stole rather than a hood.
Photography
The photography studios will be open daily in Level 1 King's Gate from approximately 8.30am - 5:30pm, apart from Thursday 4th December which will close at 3pm. Last entries to the studios will be 30 minutes before the last gown return time.
There is no pre-booking possible. Drop in for your photography proofs, and then purchase online after your graduation via Tempest Photography.
Pricing
Please see the Tempest photography website, where you can view the packages available. Click 'not had your graduation yet' and enter your details.
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 5 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.
Reception
Straight after the ceremony all graduates and guests are invited to a reception in the Lindisfarne Room, Hadrian Building. Each reception will last for approximately 45 minutes and they are scheduled to take place immediately after each ceremony.
Any prize giving from the schools will be awarded in the reception.
Where to celebrate your graduation in Newcastle
The city has a wide range of exciting venues and activities to make your graduation celebration truly unforgettable. Whether you're looking for a classy dinner, a lively night out, or something more unique, Newcastle has something to suit every taste.
See NewcastleGateshead for some fantastic options as well as special offers to help you plan the perfect graduation celebration.
