Relaxed graduation experience
There is the option of joining a relaxed graduation for any students or guests who may find an alternative format more comfortable.
Who relaxed graduation is suitable for
The relaxed graduation experience is designed for anyone who might feel more comfortable in a relaxed setting, including students and guests with learning difficulties, autism, social anxiety or sensory processing difficulties.
All schools and faculties are included as part of the day, so it’s open to everyone who is eligible to attend graduation.
About relaxed graduation
Graduation is your day and you can choose what to do. You and your guests are welcome to arrive before the ceremony and stay on campus after.
If you don’t want to attend the ceremony, you’re still more than welcome to celebrate on campus, relax in the cafes and take photos.
What to wear
You will need to wear the official University of Leeds academic dress during the ceremony part of the day. You can hire your academic dress online in advance. You can also hire a gown on the day, subject to availability.
Under your gown, we usually recommend wearing formal attire such as a dark suit or dress, although you are welcome to wear any clothing you find comfortable.
What the ceremony will look like
Before your ceremony
You’ll start the day by meeting our team at our check-in area.
Before your ceremony you need to collect and be dressed in your academic gown. You can prebook your gown or pay on the day.
Ede and Ravenscroft will supply the gowns and help you make sure they fit just right. There will be rooms available for private fitting if you prefer.
If wearing a gown is uncomfortable or distracting to you, speak to a member of staff who will be in the room.
Photography will be available before the ceremony and during timeslots throughout the day. You’ll also have the option to drop-in without a booking if you prefer.
Once you have your gown and pictures, you can take photos in your robe and explore campus with your guests. Cafés on campus will be open for you and your guests throughout the day and there are also smaller private rooms you can use.
The ceremony
You can choose whether to stay for the ceremony. This is where we will read your name aloud and you will have the opportunity to shake hands with the Presiding Officer.
The ceremony will be in a quieter room in the Great Hall building. There won’t be loud applause or loud music.
When you enter the room, there will be places to sit down, with a variety of seating options and table heights.
You will also be able to talk with the ceremony’s Presiding Officer ahead of the ceremony.
There are accessible routes to all areas of your ceremony, and our friendly staff team will be on hand to guide you. We have signs up too, to help you find your way.
The ceremony, excluding name readings, will be BSL-interpreted.
The ceremony won’t be live streamed, but it will be filmed so you can have a memory of the day. This will be sent to you shortly after the day.
If there’s anything happening at the ceremony that impacts your comfort or enjoyment, please let a member of our team know. We’ll be really happy to do what we can to help.
After the ceremony
Once the ceremony is over, you’re welcome to stay in the Great Hall, or go outside to continue celebrating.
You’ll need to return your gown back to where you picked it up before the latest drop-off time.
Location and venue accessibility
Relaxed graduation will take place in rooms within the Great Hall building.
The buildings have step-free and/or lift access to get you where you need to be. There are accessible facilities available in both Baines Wing and the Great Hall building, as well as gender neutral facilities.
On the day, our teams will be available to guide you and answer any questions.
Guest tickets
During the registration process, you can request up to two guest tickets for the ceremony part of the day.
To keep the ceremonies relaxed, we always have a limited capacity, but there may be an opportunity for you to express an interest in up to two extra guest tickets if there is space remaining in the venue.
Extra guests without tickets are still welcome to join you on campus and enjoy the other aspects of the day outside of the ceremony itself.
Parking
We have options for Blue Badge parking for students and guests attending relaxed graduation.
Learn more about where to park for your ceremony.
Please note, the Cinder Moor car park is not available on relaxed graduation days.
Register your interest
To register your intetrest in a relaxed ceremony, you’ll need to complete an online form when you register your graduation choice.
You should only register for one type of ceremony.
Whether we can facilitate a relaxed graduation depends on the number of students who would prefer this alternative format.
Nearer the time of graduation, and if we can facilitate this event, we’ll send you further information. This will include how to book a gown, as you’ll need this for your ceremony. You’ll also be able to book your photography if you’d like a professional photo taken.
Contact us
If there are any details you’d like to check in advance of your graduation day, email the Graduation team at graduation@leeds.ac.uk.