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  1. Home
  2. The University
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  4. Graduation
  5. Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Related pages
  • Future Ceremony Dates
  • Graduation Timetable - Class of 2023
  • Prepare for Graduation
  • Checklist
  • Your Graduation Day
  • After Your Graduation
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Contact the Graduation Team
  • Information for University Staff
  • Honorary Awards
  • Graduation Brochures
  • The Chancellor's Award

Booking

When can I book my place at the congregation?

We will send you an email when the online booking system opens, usually about 3 months before the congregations.

Emails will be sent to your University email address and any personal email account we have on your intranet account.

I am not bringing any guests to the congregation - do I still need to complete the application process?

Yes, it is essential that you complete the application process to ensure that your seat is reserved for you.

I will not be attending the congregation - do I still need to complete the application process?

Yes, you will still need to complete the application process, as we need to know how many students will be attending.

I am still waiting for my results. Should I wait until they are published before completing the application process?

No, you should complete the application process as soon as possible, to ensure that you are allocated tickets.

We cannot guarantee that tickets will still be available if you apply after the booking deadline.

If you do not pass your final assessments, you will automatically be uninvited from the congregations and will receive an email informing you that you are no longer eligible to attend.

Am I able to change my congregation day/time?

No, all students will be allocated to a congregation based on their home department. This principle will apply across all Schools.

If you are unsure of your home department please contact your School in the first instance. 

Tickets

How can I book guest tickets?

When you receive our email invitation to the online booking system you will automatically be allocated and guaranteed 2 free guest tickets.

Graduating students do not need a ticket to attend their congregation. 

You will collect your tickets from Swansea Arena on the day of your congregation. 

Will there be additional tickets available?

If additional tickets are available, this will be communicated to all students by email in advance of the ceremonies.

Live ceremonies will be broadcast during graduation via the following webpage: Graduation - Swansea University

Can I bring children to the congregation?

Yes, children are admitted to the congregation, all children aged 18 months and above require their own ticket.

Please note, however, that the congregations may not be suitable for young children as they are formal occasions lasting approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Child care facilities are not available.

Is there wheelchair space available?

Yes, but please note that wheelchair seating is limited and must be booked in advance.

If you or your guests have any special requirements, please note this when requested during the online booking process or, if you have already booked, contact the Graduation Office directly.

How will I receive my tickets?

Guest tickets will be sent electronically.

You will be informed by e-mail of your total ticket allocation prior to the congregations.

Graduating students do not need a ticket to attend their congregation but will need to register on the day.

Dress

Is there a dress code?

All graduating students are required to wear academic dress.

Ede and Ravenscroft is the approved supplier of the correct academic dress for Swansea University. 

We also recommend that graduands wear a shirt or blouse, to enable the hood of the gown to be attached to one of the buttons.

For more information, visit our Academic Dress page.

For guests, there is no official dress code.  However, as the congregation is a formal event, we recommend that guests wear smart dress.

Where do I order my graduation gown? How much will it cost?

You are responsible for ordering your own gown.

Ede and Ravenscroft is the approved supplier of the correct academic dress for Swansea University. 

The cost of hiring an academic gown through Ede and Ravenscroft is dependent on your level of award, but typically costs between £40 and £60.  Please see prices: 

Prices when ordering online:

AwardHire Price 
 Bachelors / 1st Degrees  £45
 Certificates and Diplomas  £32
 Foundation Degrees  £45
 Graduate Certificate  £45
 Graduate Diploma  £45
 Postgraduate Certificate  £51
 Postgraduate Diploma  £51
 Taught Masters Degrees  £51
 Research Masters  £51
 Research / Professional Doctorates  £58
 Senior Doctorates   £58

 

Ede and Ravenscroft are the official photographers for the congregations and will be present at each event.

You can have your photos taken on the day and can either buy the prints online beforehand or at the congregation.

The cost of the prints varies depending on the package you want to buy.

Visit Ede and Ravenscroft for more details.

On the day

What time do the congregations start and finish?

All congregations begin at 10.00am, 1.30pm or 4.30pm. Please visit the graduation Timetable for specific congregations.

You will need to arrive approximately 1½ hours before your congregation is due to start to make sure you have enough time to collect your tickets and gown and have your official photographs taken.

Please note that the photography studios are open before or after your congregation and are based in The Waterfront Museum.

Each congregation lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Where is the venue and how do I get there?

Graduation will take place at Swansea Arena, Oystermouth Road, Bae Copr Bay, Swansea, SA1 3BX

Pay and display car parking is available at the Arena and surrounding city centre car parks.

On the day of your congregation you will need to go to the Arena to register, obtain your seat number, collect your tickets and your certificate. (If you are awarded your degree or award 8 weeks or more before the congregations, your certificate will be sent by post to your home address.) You will then need to collect your robes and may choose to have official photographs taken.

Please be aware there may be queues and we advise you to arrive approximately 1½ hours before your congregation start time to allow yourself enough time.

Your official photographs can be taken in the Waterfront Museum before or after the congregation.  

Please be aware that both you and your guests must be seated no later than 15 minutes before the start of the congregation. Late arrival may affect your guests' ability to take their seats and your ability to take part in the congregation. We reserve the right to refuse admission to any late guests to the congregation, even if they have a ticket.

The doors to the auditorium will open 30 minutes before the beginning of the congregation.

Where will I sit at the congregation? Will I sit with my guests?

You will sit with other graduands at the front of the auditorium, organised alphabetically by award and programme.

Each award is announced, followed by the names of all graduands attending. As your name is read out, you will walk across the stage to doff your cap to the Chancellor or Vice-Chancellor.  

Marshals will be available to assist you on the day, ensuring that you are presented correctly for your degree or award.

Guests will sit in a separate area behind the graduands.

Can I bring a camera and video camera to the congregation?

Yes, but please be considerate of those sitting around you if photographing or filming during the event.

Professional photographs and a USB of the congregation will be available to purchase after the congregation - for more details, please visit our Photographs section.  

Miscellaneous

When will I receive my certificate?

Your certificate will be ready for collection once you have registered on the day of your ceremony.  For those students not attending the ceremonies the policy is that certificates shall be posted to the student at their home address as specified on the Student Profile on the Intranet within 8 weeks of conferment. It is the student’s responsibility to maintain accurate contact details on their intranet account. 

If you have any queries regarding your certificate, or if you do not receive your certificate within three months of your award being confirmed, contact degreecertificates@swansea.ac.uk 

I need a visa support letter for me/my family to attend the congregation - what should I do?

Please go to our International Visa Support Letters section for further details.

How can I contact the Graduation Office?

Please see our Contact The Graduation Team page

Force Majeure

In the event that Swansea University is required to cancel, amend or reschedule graduation ceremonies, the University will endeavour to communicate this information to students with as much notice as possible. If the graduation ceremony is cancelled or delayed or the ceremony is rescheduled (to include date, time and/or venue) due to circumstances beyond the control of Swansea University, including (but not limited to) fire, explosion, act of terrorism (or threat of terrorist act), act of God, pandemic, national mourning (any member of the royal family), student registration exceeds our capacities or as a result of any industrial action, dispute involving Swansea University, or any other act or event outside the control of Swansea University, the University will not be liable for any losses direct or otherwise incurred by the graduands or their guests.
  • Future Ceremony Dates
  • Graduation Timetable - Class of 2023
  • Prepare for Graduation
  • Checklist
  • Your Graduation Day
  • After Your Graduation
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Contact the Graduation Team
  • Information for University Staff
  • Honorary Awards
  • Graduation Brochures
  • The Chancellor's Award
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