Graduation - FAQs

Where do I get my tickets?

You will receive your student and guest tickets via email, generated by the Ede & Ravenscroft Ticketing site roughly one week before your ceremony. Tickets will be sent to the email address you registered with.

What happens at the ceremonies?

Prior to your ceremony, you will receive emails from the Graduation Team with details about what you can expect at your ceremony and from the Campus Celebrations.

When will I receive my certificate?

Your certificate and transcript will be posted to you between August and September following your ceremony, but please allow up to eight weeks for delivery.

When will I get my official photographs?

Photography is provided by Ede & Ravenscroft and must be booked in advance with your ticket. Following your graduation ceremony, please allow up to 12 weeks for Ede & Ravenscroft to process your order and send your official photographs to you.

I am not bringing any guests to the ceremony; do I still have to book online?

If you are planning to attend the ceremony but will not be bringing any guests with you, you do still need to book online in order for a seat in the Cathedral to be allocated to you.

I am still waiting for my results; should I wait until they are published before submitting my ticket application?

No – you must ensure you have registered to attend your ceremony before the registration deadline, even if you have not received your results or you think you may not pass the course. If necessary, refunds can be given after your graduation. Late registrations cannot be processed.

Do I have to pay for my ceremony ticket?

Students are not required to pay for their own ticket for their ceremony. You will need to pay for any guest tickets and prices will be detailed in the emails you receive from the Graduation Team.

Can I buy tickets on the day?

No – all tickets must be purchase in advance before the registration deadline.

What time do the ceremonies finish?

We expect each ceremony to last approximately one hour and 15 minutes.

Can I bring cameras and video cameras to the ceremonies?

Yes – but we kindly ask for no flash photography or standing during the ceremony.

Do I have to wear full academic dress?

You are required to wear full academic dress for the ceremony (gown, hood and mortarboard). This can be provided by and ordered in advance from Ede & Ravenscroft, the University’s Gown Hire Company and authorised photographers.

Where do I order my academic dress and photography from? How much will it cost?

Academic dress and photography is ordered online via Ede & Ravenscroft with prices detailed on our website and in the emails you will receive from the Graduation Team. You can find further information about the order process on the Ede & Ravenscroft Website here.

Can I hire my academic dress on the day of my ceremony?

It is advised that you hire your academic dress online prior to your ceremony, but there will be the opportunity for you to hire your academic dress on the day of your ceremony for an additional cost.

Where is the venue and how do I get there?

The ceremonies are held in Lincoln Cathedral, which is a short walk from the University. For students and guests with mobility issues, there is a Shuttle Service which runs from campus to the Cathedral.

What time do I need to be at the Cathedral?

Guests and students are asked to be in their seats no less than 30 minutes before the ceremony commences.

Can I bring children to the ceremony?

It is not recommended that young children are brought to the Graduation Ceremony, as it is a long time for them to sit still. If you do wish to bring a child, a ticket must be purchased for them when they are 12 months old or above. Children are more than welcome at the Campus Celebrations following the ceremony.

Will I be seated with my guests?

No – as the graduand, you will sit near the front of the Cathedral with the rest of your graduating cohort.

Can I sit next to my friends?

No – you will be allocated a seat number with your ticket. Please sit in your allocated seat as the programme and processional order is based on this information.

Are there wheelchair spaces available?

Wheelchair spaces are available. Please make it clear when you register via Ede & Ravenscroft if you or your guests require wheelchair access.

I am not attending the ceremony to graduate. Can my friend have my ticket?

No – we take into account the percentage of students graduating in absentia (those who are not attending the ceremony) when calculating the number of available seats.

Can I buy extra tickets for the ceremony?

Ceremony tickets are available in two phases. The first phase is the initial registration, where the number of guest tickets per student is limited. Once the initial registration period has closed, any additional guest tickets will be available to students on a first-come, first-served basis. The Graduation Team will provide further details in their email communications to you.

Will my name appear in the Graduation Programme?

Yes – the names of all graduands, including those graduating in absentia, will be printed in the Graduation Programme and will be available at each ceremony.

If you are not attending your graduation ceremony and would like a copy of the Graduation Programme to be posted to you, please contact the Graduation Team via email at graduation@bishopg.ac.uk.

I would like a reference from my tutor when I have graduated – how do I request one?

When applying for a jo or further study and you are required to provide a referee, you can provide the name of your BGU Tutor with the email address of references@bishopg.ac.uk. The request for a reference will then be sent by the employer/further study provider to our central referencing team, who can then process the request accordingly.