Information for July 2021 attendees
Thank you for attending graduation. Due to the delay in the relaxation of government restrictions, the University has made some changes to our planned provision for graduation this July. However, we feel it is important to deliver on our promise to you to offer an ‘in person’ graduation. We hope, despite some restrictions, you will have a unique, enjoyable, and memorable day. The information below will help all of us enjoy the day safely – please take the time to read it through and familiarise yourself with the locations and programme for your day. A map will be also available on the day to help you navigate the various areas.
Guidance for your day
On arrival you will make your way to the Ticket Office located in QA066 where you will collect your tickets, your Guests will be asked to wait at the front of Queen Anne Building in Grand Square whilst you do this.
Once you have collected your tickets, if you have ordered a gown, you will be directed to our robing room in QA063 where staff from Ede and Ravenscroft will assist. When you have collected your gown, you will exit QA063, and you and your guests will be directed to the Queen Mary Undercroft where professional photography will take place – the Undercroft is located directly under the Chapel.
At least 30 minutes before the start of your ceremony, please make your way to the Chapel main entrance doors, where stewards will ensure graduates are lined up in ceremony order. Due to the restriction on numbers, only graduates will be able to enter the Chapel - seating will be socially distanced.
Please ensure you give your guests their tickets before lining up outside the Chapel. Tickets are essential for guests to enter the Marquee and you will not have the opportunity to leave the Chapel once the ceremony begins.
Guests will be directed to the Marquee on King William Lawn where they will watch the ceremony live on large screens - seating will be socially distanced. Only guests with tickets will be permitted access to the marquee area.
Once the ceremony ends, guests will make their way out of the Marquee and into King William Courtyard. Graduates will process from the Chapel into King William Courtyard via the Colonnades to join their guests and enjoy the space. You will need to ensure social distancing between your own graduate/guest bubble and others – there will be plenty of space to ensure that you are not crowded.
Under current restrictions, face coverings will need to be worn in our venues. (Please see government guidance for exemptions). There will be hand sanitiser points at the entrance to all our venues – please make use of these. All guests and graduates will need to register attendance via the NHS app at the event or leave their details with us, (download the NHS COVID-19 app). Anyone arriving on campus should get an asymptomatic COVID-19 test (not more than 48hrs prior to the day you attend a University Campus). The test is free, simple to do, and average results are within the 30mins. If you are experiencing any Covid related symptoms, please do not attend.
If there is a government announcement regarding the relaxation of Covid restrictions prior to the ceremony, we will take this into account and alter our provision accordingly.
We hope you enjoy your graduation day; it has been a long wait! We very much look forward to seeing you on campus.
Please take the time to review our Covid Safe policies below.
