Specific dates below relate to the March 2023 ceremonies.
Attendance
You must advise the Graduation Office if you wish to attend your Graduation Ceremony in person or if you wish to receive your award ‘in absentia’. Either way, you must complete the online booking form, to confirm your intention. The booking form will open on Monday 16th January 2023.
If you choose to attend, the booking form will confirm the date and time of your Ceremony and give you the opportunity to book your tickets.
If you choose not to attend, the booking form will enable you to confirm the address details of where you would like your certificate to be sent. If you have already received your certificate, please still let us know if you do not plan to attend, so we do not continue to send you reminders about booking.
It is essential that you to let us know your intention either way by Friday 10th February 2023. If you are unable to complete the graduation booking form, please email graduation@chester.ac.uk or contact the Graduation Office on 01244 511170 and a booking form will be completed for you.
N.B. You cannot access the online booking system until such time as your award has been confirmed by the University.
Tickets
Each Graduand/Diplomate will be allocated 2 guest tickets. All ticket allocation remains subject to any restrictions that may be in place as a result of the pandemic. Tickets will be sent to you no later than two weeks before your ceremony.
You will be able to request additional tickets but these are not guaranteed. Additional tickets will be allocated equitably once the initial registration process is complete and we have established how much space we have remaining in each ceremony. It is advisable to make travel and accommodation bookings based on the guaranteed ticket allocation, as it is not possible to give any commitment regarding extra tickets. Your tickets will be sent to the email address you provide on your booking form no later than 2 weeks before the ceremony.
International Students
In order to invite your parents, family members or friends to come to the UK to attend your Graduation Ceremony it is your responsibility to make sure that they apply for the appropriate visas. For more information about the requirements for a visa application, please visit the Home Office website.
Academic Dress
In order to participate in the Ceremony, you will be required to wear the full academic dress of the University. It is your responsibility to order your gown, hood and hat directly from Ede & Ravenscroft. You can do this online from Monday 16th January. If you have any queries about gown hire, please go to edeandravenscroft.com/help. Please make sure that you have ordered your academic dress at least 21 days before the Ceremonies are due to take place otherwise you may have to hire a gown on the day at an additional cost.
N.B. Your Graduation Ceremony is a formal event and as such it is recommended that you dress smartly. Casual attire such as jeans, t-shirts and trainers are not considered appropriate for this type of event. Staff from Ede & Ravenscroft will be at the ceremony to ensure that your academic dress is correct before you receive your degree / award.
Debt
University policy specifies that no award or degree will be presented to any person with an outstanding tuition fee debt. It is your responsibility to check if this is the case. Unpaid tuition fees must be settled by Friday 10th February. Any student who has not settled their tuition fee debts by this date will not be eligible to attend their Graduation Ceremony and their degree or award certificate will be withheld until such time as the debt has been cleared.
Photography
The official photographer for the University is Ede & Ravenscroft and they will be based in the Main Sports Hall at the Northgate Arena. It is not compulsory to book, though it is advisable, to avoid congestion on the day. A photographer from Ede & Ravenscroft will also be present at the ceremony to take a photograph of you as you receive your award. For more information, visit the Ede & Ravenscroft website.
Gown Hire Collection and Photography Availability Times and locations
For Ceremonies on 17th March 2023 - Main Sports Hall in the Northgate Arena.
- Ceremony One: From 4.00pm - 6.00pm on Thursday 16th March and from 7:30am on Friday 17th March
- Ceremony Two: From 9:30am on Friday 17th March
- Ceremony Three: From 12:00pm (midday) on Friday 17th March
ALL gowns must be returned to the Main Sports Hall in the Northgate Arena by 6.00 pm on the day of your Ceremony.
Photograph studios will close at 5.30pm.
Disability
If you require any form of assistance during your Graduation Ceremony, it is your responsibility to contact the Graduation Office on 01244 511170 and make them aware of your requirements. Alternatively, you can email graduation@chester. ac.uk or give details in the ‘special requirements’ section on the online booking form.