Graduation

Your cap, gown and photography will be provided by Marston Events.

Booking of your cap, gown and photography can be done at the same time as your registration, using the same online link provided in your invite email and letter.

Collection of your cap, gown and photography will take place at City Campus Manchester after you have checked in.

We often get asked what to wear on graduation day. It is up to you what you wear with your robes, but we would recommend smart, formal clothes, a bit like you might wear to a wedding or a job interview. You might like to consider wearing something classic, that won’t look dated in your photo’s years later. Please keep in mind, you will have to go up some steps at the side of the stage then down again when you are acknowledged, so make sure you are wearing shoes you can walk confidently in.

After your ceremony, you can drop off your cap and gown at the UCEN Manchester entrance at City Campus Manchester.

You can pre-book your photography when you register and book your gown. There are various options and packages on offer for you to choose from. A photo will also be taken as you cross the stage which will be available to purchase immediately following your ceremony.

If you have any problems ordering your cap, gown and photography please contact Marston Events - Enquiries@marstonevents.com

Please check your email or letter for your arrival time as this varies per ceremony.

Check in for your graduation will take place at City Campus Manchester, M3 1LT.

Your student ticket and any guest tickets will be scanned on arrival to confirm your attendance and you will be issued with your stage pass.

The graduation team will then direct you to collect your cap, gown and photography.

An announcement will be made (45 minutes before your ceremony begins) when it is time for you to make your way over to Manchester Cathedral for your graduation ceremony. This is approximately an 8-minute walk from City Campus Manchester.

Graduates and guests should be in their designated seats 30 minutes before the ceremony begins.

Signage will direct you to the correct entrance on arrival at Manchester Cathedral and you will be directed to your seats within the cathedral. It is vital that you sit on the seat/row stated on your ticket (you will sit within your curriculum departments) as this is the order your name will be read out. Please ensure that the stage pass on your seat states your name and correct pronunciation.

Please note that graduates and guests are seated separately.

You are required to leave your seats in order, to process across the stage, and you must have nothing in your hands, apart from your stage pass. The event staff will indicate when you should leave your seat and where to stand. As you walk to the stage you will hand your stage pass to the staff who will in turn pass this to the compere who will read out your name and curriculum area as you cross the stage.

We advise that you do not bring any mobile phones, bags or large items to your seats but if this is necessary, please ask a guest to look after them for the duration of the ceremony to ensure that all aisles are clear. Under no circumstances must you leave your bags under your seats as this may pose as a health and safety risk and in some instances, you may not return to your original seat after processing across the stage.

Out of courtesy to your fellow graduates we ask that you do not leave the ceremony until the event finishes. The ceremony will last for approximately 1 hour.

Following the ceremony, there will be a drinks reception at The Hive Bar at City Campus Manchester, where you can join your fellow graduates, guests, friends, family and tutors and reflect on your achievements at UCEN Manchester. You will be able to purchase drinks & photographs from the ceremony as well as drop off your cap and gown.

Graduates and guests are seated separately.

Children are welcome at the ceremony, however these events can prove to be tiring for younger children who may become restless. For the comfort of other guests, guardians may be asked to take any child that becomes agitated or distressed out of the auditorium. We appreciate your understanding.

Children over two years of age must have their own seat and therefore must be included in your guest numbers. Children up to the age of two may sit on an adult’s lap and do not require a separate ticket.

Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Graduates and guests are seated separately within the cathedral. Please be aware that children will not be sitting with graduates but must sit with guests.

Guests will be asked to head to their seats 30 minutes before the ceremony begins and should listen for the announcements directing all graduates and guests to take their seats. We ask that all mobile phones and recording devices are switched to silent, but you are more than welcome to take photos and videos of our wonderful graduates shining moments.

Should you require any assistance, please ask the staff at the Graduation Information Desk in the main foyer or ask any member of the event staff.

If you have any queries, please don't hesitate to contact the team: graduation@ucenmanchester.ac.uk