Student Orators

We will appoint one Student Orator for each Graduation Ceremony (4 Student Orators in total) and if successful, you will be speaking at your graduation ceremony on behalf of your cohort of students.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have applied to be a Student Orator before, you will have to apply again.

Your speech should last for around 3 minutes and be between 200-250 words. To assist you, we have included the following guidance:

• Your speech should be positive and uplifting.
• Reflect on your time at University as well as talking about the graduation day and hopes for the future.
• Do not be too specific to your course or subject area – you may be speaking on behalf of graduates from different academic programmes as well as your own.
• Perhaps mention how University life has benefitted you as a person, and students generally.
• It is fine to acknowledge the importance of the support given by staff, family and friends, but do not include personal thanks or mention staff/friends by name.
• You are welcome to include anecdotes of your time at University, as long as the story is meaningful to the whole cohort (and suitable for the audience).
• Note that you will give the speech at the end of the ceremony, so you can refer to ‘graduation’ in the past tense.

Applications for 2024 are now open - please fill out the Student Orator Application form HERE.