Preparation and arrival
The University of Leeds is one of the few institutions remaining which does not charge for graduation. The only compulsory cost you will incur is that of your academic dress hire, which should be paid directly to Ede and Ravenscroft.
All ceremonies will be held in the Great Hall on the main University Campus. The exact date and time of your ceremony will depend on your programme of study and is detailed on the schedule.
You should arrive on campus at least 90 minutes before your ceremony is due to commence. Please allow time for extremely busy morning traffic in the city centre and on the incoming motorway routes. See Campus Map for routes to the University. Degree ceremonies will not be postponed and will commence at the times indicated on the schedule. No graduand or guest will be admitted to the Hall once the Ceremony has commenced .
Free parking will be available at the Woodhouse Moor car park on Woodhouse Lane for all graduands and their guests during the ceremony period (this is not the multi-storey car park).This car park is approximately ½ mile from the main entrance. From this car park there is a 20 to 25 minute walk back to the Great Hall. The car park is open between 8am and 6pm (It is open until 7pm on the days that there is a 5pm ceremony). All cars must be removed from the car park by 6pm (7pm on the days that there is a 5pm ceremony).
Parking attendants will be available to direct guests to the disabled parking bays on campus. The University has 34 designated disabled parking bays for drivers and passengers. You must have the disabled parking permit on display.
For further information see the section on disabled access.
When you arrive on campus you should go straight to the Ticket Desk in the Leeds University Union Building to collect your tickets. You will then be able to pick up your academic dress (please refer to the section on Academic Dress). You can also discuss your photography and video requirements in this building. Photography is provided by Ede and Ravenscroft.
Graduation Ceremony
The doors to the Great Hall are opened 30 minutes before the Ceremony commences and you need be seated in your allocated seat 15 minutes before the ceremony start time. Please ensure you are on time as the ceremony start time will not be delayed and once the doors are closed you will not be permitted into the ceremony.
The Ceremony begins with a formal academic procession into the Great Hall, after which the Presiding Officer – The Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor, the Deputy-Vice-Chancellor or one of the Pro-Vice-Chancellors – addresses and welcomes the graduands and guests in a short speech.
You will receive your degrees as follows:
The Secretary to the University or another senior official – announces the degree, and calls upon a senior member of the academic staff to present graduands for that degree.
Graduands are directed to the foot of the stairs where they are checked off the ceremony list by the Key Marshal.
Graduands will proceed onto the stage one by one, as their names are announced by the Presenter.
Graduands will curtsey or bow at the top of the stairs if they wish and then proceed forward to the Presiding Officer to collect their certificate and shake hands as they are admitted to their degree and become a graduate of the University of Leeds. (Male research students are asked to tip their hat to the Presiding Officer at the top of the stairs)
Graduates will turn left and exit the stage and will be directed to their seat.
After all graduates have received their degrees the Presiding Officer then declares the Congregation closed, and the academic party recesses out of the Hall.
You will follow the procession as directed by the Key Marshals who will lead all of the new graduates out of the Great Hall two rows at a time.