Our July ceremonies and the current situation

We are doing everything we can to hold in-person, Covid-secure, graduation ceremonies during July 2021.

Both students who are eligible to graduate this summer and students who graduated in 2020 have been sent an invitation to register to attend.

Our plans will be guided by the UK government’s roadmap which remains subject to review. We will continue to follow developments closely. Ceremony arrangements will be adapted to prioritise the health and safety of students, accompanying guests and staff.

The plan is to hold ceremonies on campus from 19 July for approximately 2 weeks unless circumstances outside the University’s control require a decision to cancel. Though all legal limits on social contact may have been removed by this time, we are planning for social distancing at 2 metres.

We’ll keep you up-to-date with developments through email and via our award ceremonies web pages.

Invitation to attend

During week commencing 19 April 2021 we invited all those eligible to register their interest in attending.

Further detailed ceremony information will be issued by week commencing 10 May, and you will be asked then to indicate if you still plan to attend.

If you plan to attend it's very important that you let us know when we first invite you to register, or we won't be able to guarantee you a place. You will also be offered the opportunity to book accommodation on campus for yourself and your guests.

Each graduate will be able to bring two guests. We won’t be able to issue any further tickets as we’ll need to ensure social distancing is maintained and numbers on campus are kept to a minimum.

The ceremonies will be live streamed online for those that cannot or choose not to attend.

The measures we’ll put in place

The health, wellbeing and safety of students, staff and guests is a priority in all of our plans. We will continue to implement any measures needed for a Covid-secure environment and take steps to ensure that everyone feels safe and comfortable attending the ceremonies.

The plans will be informed by government guidance on event attendance with ceremonies being planned with social distancing in place.

The ceremonies will be live streamed online for those who cannot or choose not to attend.

Booking your gown

Details on how to book your gown will be provided when we contact you during week commencing 10 May.

Gowns will be mailed out rather than collected in person at the ceremonies.

If you can’t, or choose not to, attend

We understand there is still much uncertainty around travel due to current restrictions.

You should let us know if you are planning to attend your ceremony when we invite you to register.

If you subsequently find out you won’t be able to travel to or attend your ceremony before the deadline for registration, you’ll be able to inform us and defer your attendance to a future ceremony.

If you tell us you’re not planning to attend your ceremony when we invite you to register, and then change your mind later on, it may not be possible to add you to the ceremony.

Refunds and expenses

If you pull out of the ceremony before graduation week then you can cancel your gown order or return it for a full refund.

If you aren’t able to attend the ceremony on the day due to unforeseen circumstances a refund can’t be guaranteed, though Graduation Attire will take into account any extenuating circumstances.

We appreciate that the situation is very uncertain at present so we suggest that any firm arrangements that require a financial outlay are made as late as feasible.

Unfortunately, the University cannot accept any liability for monies lost if you or your guests aren’t able to attend or if the ceremonies do not go ahead.

Next year’s arrangements

The dates and location for future ceremonies are yet to be confirmed and remain subject to Government guidance.