In-person graduation
Our in-person graduation ceremonies are held in the Great Hall. You will wear the official University of Leeds academic dress and be presented your award in person.
To attend an in-person ceremony, you’ll need to register your graduation choice when registration opens.
Read about what to expect on your graduation day if you are attending an in-person graduation ceremony.
When to arrive on campus
Arrive at least 90 minutes before your ceremony starts.
Allow plenty of time for travel and parking.
Ticket collection, gowning, and official photography are available from 8am.
Once you have your ticket and gown, make sure you're ready to enter the Great Hall via the Baines Wing 30 minutes before your ceremony starts, as doors will close 15 minutes before the ceremony begins.
Parking and accessibility
Please see our travel to graduation page for information on where to park and blue badge parking. You can also find accessibility information for our graduation venues.
What to do when you arrive
Collect your tickets
Collect your tickets from the ticket desk in the main area inside the Parkinson Building. Only students can collect tickets.
You must also collect your guest tickets.
Without tickets, students and guests can’t enter the Great Hall.
If you want to bring more than two people to your graduation day but don’t have any extra guest tickets for the ceremony, your guests can watch a live stream of your ceremony.
Read more about collecting tickets on our graduation tickets page.
Collect your gown
Collect your gown from the Parkinson Building. Have your order number and tickets ready.
Gowns can be collected anytime from 8am, even if your ceremony is scheduled later in the day.
Enter the Great Hall
Enter the Great Hall through the Baines Wing 30 minutes before your ceremony starts.
You should be in your allocated seat 15 minutes before the start of the ceremony.
Guests should also enter through the Baines Wing 30 minutes before the ceremony. Staff in the Great Hall will show guests to ticketed but unallocated seats.
Doors will close 15 minutes before the ceremony begins, and anyone arriving after this time will not be admitted to the Great Hall.
Guests without tickets, or those arriving late, are welcome to watch the ceremony livestream from the Rupert Beckett Lecture Theatre in the Michael Sadler Building or Terrace in Leeds University Union.
What to expect during the ceremony
- Each ceremony typically lasts between 45 minutes to one hour, though some may be shorter or longer depending on how many graduating students are in attendance.
- At the start, a formal academic procession will enter the Great Hall.
- The presiding officer will give a short speech.
- The secretary will announce the degree type (for example, PhD, MA, BSc, BA) and call upon a senior academic staff member to present graduating students.
What you’ll need to do
- Once your degree is announced, you’ll be directed to the foot of the stage stairs, where a key marshal will check your name.
- Ede and Ravenscroft will be on hand to check your academic dress is being worn correctly.
- When the presenter announces your name, move onto the stage and toward the presiding officer.
- Your photo will be taken on stage, but there's no need to pause or pose for it.
- Exit the stage and return to your original seat.
How the ceremony will close
- The presiding officer will declare the congregation closed, and the academic party will leave the Great Hall.
- You will follow the procession as directed by the key marshals, two rows at a time.
You can watch a webcast of a previous ceremony to know what to expect.
Official photographs and memorabilia
Photography
Ede and Ravenscroft is the university’s official photographer. You’ll have the option to buy:
- professional photos taken in photography studios in the Parkinson Building
- a photo of you on the stage.
You can buy these photos from the Ede and Ravenscroft points in the Parkinson Building.
Photos taken on stage will be available to view shortly after each ceremony ends and are available as prints to take with you if you'd like to purchase any.
Please be aware professional photos taken during the ceremony and around campus may be used in future University of Leeds publications. By attending the ceremony, all graduates and guests are deemed to accept this practice and waive any right they may have in these activities.
You and your guests are welcome to take photographs and video throughout the ceremony but please be considerate to others.
Memorabilia and gifts
Visit Gear for University of Leeds clothing and gifts.
Based in the Leeds University Union, Gear is the official University merchandise shop. Goods are available throughout the year and on graduation day.