Graduation ceremonies

Graduation is a celebratory event that marks the end of your academic journey at Teesside University. It's a special occasion where students, families, and staff come together to celebrate your hard work and achievements.

However, it's important to understand what graduation is and isn't:

What Graduation Is:

• A ceremonial celebration of your academic success.
• An opportunity to wear academic dress (cap and gown), walk across the stage, and be applauded by your peers, family, and university staff.
• A moment to reflect on your journey and look forward to your future.

What Graduation Is Not:

• It is not the official conferment of your award.
• Your qualification is officially awarded (conferred) at the Assessment Board, which takes place before the graduation ceremony.
• You do not need to attend graduation to receive your award.
• Whether you attend the ceremony or not, your award is still valid and officially recognised.
• You do not need to graduate 'in absentia'.
• Since the award is already conferred at the Assessment Board, there's no need to formally decline the ceremony or request an alternative, if you do not respond to invitations the university will assume you do not want to attend.

So, should You Attend?

Attending graduation is entirely your choice. It's a wonderful way to celebrate your success, but it's not required. It is a formal ceremony but also a celebration. If you choose not to attend, you'll still receive your certificate by post or collection.

The next graduation ceremonies for Teesside University London will be held on 17 June 2026.

All of our upcoming graduation ceremonies will take place in London, with further details to be released prior to each ceremony. The June 2026 ceremony will be held on our University campus in London, in conjunction with Plexal.

Teesside University London students will be invited to a ceremony taking place on 17 June 2026, this will include all students awarded between 09 April 2025 and 20 May 2026. These ceremonies will also include any students who deferred (by formal request) from the 2025 Teesside University London ceremonies.

All certificates are distributed to students 6-8 weeks after the confirmation of results by the board. Certificates are NOT given out during the graduation ceremony.

June ceremonies - if you are awarded in May your certificate will be available for collection on your ceremony day, if you were awarded before May you should have already received your certificate ahead of the ceremony.

Alternatively, certificates will be posted to your home address on our student record system. It is important to ensure that your home address is correct on our system. You can edit your address details on e-Vision via Personal Details.

Diploma Supplements can be downloaded from e-Vision e-Vision once you have received notification of your award. Diploma Supplements are only available to students studying a main award who achieve the intended award. The Diploma Supplement includes your transcript.

Transcripts and certified copies of your certificate are available for purchase from the online shop.

You can also pre-order items for collection on your graduation ceremony day on the online shop.

Pre-registration is the first step in confirming your graduation plans. It is completed through e-Vision.

A few months before graduation, you'll receive an email letting you know that pre-registration is open. On your e-Vision graduation page, you'll see if you've been assigned to a graduation week. You'll then confirm whether you plan to attend a ceremony within those dates. At this stage, you can also choose to defer your ceremony or opt out entirely.

Important:

We do not provide exact ceremony dates and times during pre-registration. These are finalised after pre-registration closes, based on attendance numbers. You must pre-register to book tickets later. Even if you're unsure about attending, please pre-register - you can change your mind later. If you don't pre-register, you cannot opt in later.

If you believe you should have received a pre-registration email but didn't, please contact Student Records by logging an enquiry in UNIverse or emailing records@tees.ac.uk.

Pre-registration and ticket booking are essential to guarantee a place at the upcoming ceremonies. If you missed these steps, it's very unlikely there will be space in the ceremony schedule. However, please email graduationtickets@tees.ac.uk to see if we can help - for example, by checking for available space or updating your records for the next scheduled ceremonies to formally defer your ceremony.

You can choose the 'I do not wish to attend' option on the e-Vision ticket booking page. If you have already booked tickets, you can cancel your attendance by emailing graduationtickets@tees.ac.uk for further help.

Invitations to your specific ceremony date and time will be sent to all those students who pre-registered.

Wait until you receive this invitation to book tickets for your specific ceremony.

During ticket booking you will have the opportunity to request guest tickets and tell us about any specific requirements you may have.

Travel: We only recommend booking travel if you have recieved your ratified results already and your graduation place is confirmed (i.e. awarded and tickets booked). We suggest holding off making travel arrangements until your place at graduation is confirmed.

Gown hire and photography: Some students book early to secure their preferred options. The University works with Ede & Ravenscroft (gown hire) and Marston Events Ltd (photography), and refunds can be arranged with these if your plans change. You're also able to use alternative suppliers if you prefer.

Most students who are due to graduate will not have received their final results yet. This is completely normal.

You will still be asked to pre-register for graduation and book your tickets even if your results have not been released. This is because the time between publishing results and holding the ceremonies is very short, and we need to make sure all arrangements are in place in advance.

Once your results are released, your formal confirmation of eligibility to attend graduation will follow shortly after.

All students wishing to graduate need to pre-register first. You will then be invited to book tickets once your ceremony date and time has been released.

Your attendance is only guaranteed once your award has been confirmed - but this depends on your results status:

If you have already received your ratified result

You are confirmed to attend as soon as you book your tickets. You will recieve an email confirming tickets have been booked.

After ticket booking, you can go ahead and book your gown, photography and make travel arrangements.

If you are still waiting for your award to be confirmed by the Board

Your attendance is not yet guaranteed.

You must wait for a formal confirmation email, which will be sent after ticket booking has opened and only once your result has been ratified/conferred.

Ticket booking is only open to students who pre-register- Ticket booking is expected to open in March 2026.

Tickets must be booked prior to the deadline - this is how you confirm you are attending and also how you book tickets for your guests.

You need to book tickets prior to the deadline on 03 April 2026

We recommend you book gowning and photography packages once you have guest tickets reserved - gown booking will close upto 8 days before the graduation event commences.

If you have already received confirmation of your award, and you have no outstanding debt to the University, your place at graduation will be guaranteed as soon as you complete the ticket booking process.

If you have not yet received your results, you will still be asked to book tickets. Your eligibility to attend will be confirmed after your results are released.

Tell us about any access or specific requirements during ticket booking. Your needs are noted and shared with the Ceremony Manager.

Examples of adjustments:

• Reserved seating near the stage; ramped access; ushers available to help
• End-of-row or quieter seating areas
• Option to remain seated (not cross the stage)
• Accessible parking for Blue Badge holders
• Assistance dogs welcome in buildings and marquees

If things change:

Email graduationtickets@tees.ac.uk or speak to an usher on the day.

No, as wristbands are required for entry. Please collect yours (and your guests') from the registration point. Keep it secure as we may not be able to replace lost wristbands.

You'll receive a confirmation email when you complete ticket booking.

e-Tickets will be sent to your registered email(s) about one week before your ceremony.

See 'When is the deadline for ticket booking?' for details of deadlines.

All e-Tickets are sent to the email address on your student record and any other email address you entered during the ticket booking process. Each ticket has a unique reference number (and QR code) and can only be used once.

There is only one ceremony ticket per graduate, and a single guest ticket per guest allocation (maximum 2 guests per graduate).

Due to strict capacities in the ceremony hall, the maximum number of tickets have been allocated - details of your personal allocation are in your confirmation email.

Each ticket holder must be present when collecting their wristband. If your guests are arriving separately, they must have a copy of their own ticket. We recommend you share/forward your guest tickets with your guests in the event that you need to collect wristbands separately.

For students with a disability or a mental health condition who may be overwhelmed by the ceremony, there may be an opportunity to attend a quieter graduation event. At such events, you will be able to attend a quiet space where a member of university staff will congratulate you on your graduation. If you wish to do so, you can wear academic dress and have your photograph taken. You can also book an official photograph. You will be able to discuss your needs in advance with someone before you attend.

Please note that this is a quiet graduation ceremony designed for those who require a calmer environment, such as individuals with disabilities or mental health conditions. If you choose to attend this ceremony, you will not be able to attend your originally scheduled ceremony.

If you are interested in a quieter graduation ceremony, please complete the ticket booking process for the ceremony you have been allocated to and then contact graduationtickets@tees.ac.uk to discuss options.

Some students will not have received their final results when they are asked to book graduation tickets.

If you have not yet received your award or are awaiting results, you will still be asked to pre-register and book tickets. Ticket booking indicates your intention to attend. This is due to the very tight timescales following the release of your results and the date of your ceremony.

If you haven't received your results, your confirmation of attendance at graduation will shortly follow your results release.

If you achieve your expected award or accept an interim/fallback award you will automatically be able to attend and this will be confirmed to you along with e-tickets.

If you do not achieve the results you hoped for and are required to continue studies/resit/re-submit assessments then you should not attend graduation, please notify graduationtickets@tees.ac.uk as soon as possible if you will not be awarded prior to your ceremony.

Yes, if you have accepted the interim/fallback award you can still attend. If you intend to decline the award and continue studies/resit/submit a reassessment then you should not attend graduation, please notify graduationtickets@tees.ac.uk as soon as possible if your circumstances change.

Your legal name at the time of award is the name that appears on your certificate and other official documentation, this will also appear in the graduation brochure/programme.

Your forename and surname will appear on the television screens and will be read out as you cross the stage. Your name will appear on a card on your allocated seat and you can update this to have a different name read out during your ceremony.

It is not possible to change the name in the brochure, or the television screens or on any official documentation without officially changing your legal name.

See UNIverse FAQ for more details on how and when this is possible.

Digital copies of your Diploma Supplements can be downloaded from e-Vision once you have received notification of your award. Diploma Supplements are only available to students studying a main award who achieve their intended award. The Diploma Supplement includes your transcript.

The following are available to purchase via the online shop:

• Transcripts (full details of modules passed)
• Diploma Supplements (internationally recognised qualification description and includes a transcript of results)
• Certified copies (a verified/stamped digital and paper copy of your certificate) of your certificate which can be used to send to education/employment instead of sending your original parchment copy of your certificate

If you have already received your ratified results and confirmation of your award, then you can proceed with organising your travel arrangements and gown hire. It is recommended that you order your gown and photography as soon as your award is confirmed.

If you have not received your ratified results you should delay ordering your gown and photography until you have received confirmation of your place at graduation.

If you are unsure, please check with Student Records by logging an enquiry on UNIverse.

If you have an outstanding academic debt, you will not be eligible to attend the graduation ceremonies. You will also not be able to receive your award certificate and you will not be included in the awards brochure.

Doors open 45 minutes before each ceremony, and you must be seated at least 15 minutes before the ceremony starts. If you are not seated in time you may not be able to cross the stage/attend the ceremony. Once doors are closed, guests are not permitted to enter.

You can bring small bags (no larger than A4 size) into the ceremony venue. Please note that all bags will be searched as a condition of entry, and refusal will mean that you are not allowed into the ceremony. The following are not allowed into the venue:

• Illegal drugs
• Alcohol
• Offensive weapons or items that could be used as such
• Flags or flag bearing items
• Fireworks, confetti cannons, pyrotechnics
• Noisemakers, air horns
• Helium balloons
• Laser pointers
• Paint or powder substances
• Any item likely to disrupt the ceremony
• Personal items taken onto the stage
• Liquids- no bottled products can be brought into the venue. Water dispensers are available inside the venue to refill an empty plastic container. Babies and young children are allowed water/juices and milk
• No food to be brought into the venue

Any prohibited items will be confiscated or referred to the Police. We request that you don't take any personal items on to the stage during the ceremony.

The ceremony will begin at the stated start time. Unfortunately, we cannot admit graduands or guests once the ceremony has commenced, as this will disrupt the formal proceedings. The registration desk will therefore close 15 minutes before each ceremony. Please ensure you arrive on campus 90 minutes before your ceremony time to allow time for registration, gowning and seating.

Graduation is a formal occasion, and we request that graduands and guests respect the traditions of the event. It is important that all members of the audience can see their family member or friend crossing the stage as well as hear their name being called out - therefore we ask that people stay seated, refrain from calling out or whistling, and keep noise to a minimum. Applause is welcomed as each graduate crosses the stage.

Graduands should not take anything on stage with them - other than their name cards - and should cross the stage respectively. Gestures on stage, no matter how well intentioned, are not permitted as this can negatively affect the experience for the next person crossing.

Graduates will receive a physical copy of the ceremony programme (excluding names) during their ceremony.

A digital version of the brochure including the names of students graduating is also available as an online download and will appear on the day of your ceremony for download.

A pay-and-display multi-storey car park is available at Here East, with disabled parking available for holders of disabled badges.

More information on getting to Here East

Some students find it helpful to know what to expect at graduation, to help them plan their day and give them time to prepare. This can be useful for those that may find the day overwhelming due to a disability or mental health condition. All students attending ceremonies will:

• Register and collect a wristband
• Collect their gown, which is sometimes called robing or academic dress. If a gown hasnt been ordered this will need to be done on the day
• Attend their ceremony
• Go for refreshments after the ceremony
• Have their photograph taken, if they choose to.

Registration and wristband collection

Everyone needs to register at the Teesside University London desk when they get to campus. You will queue here for your tickets to be checked. You and your guests will receive a wristband. If a lot of people are queuing it can be busy and noisy.

Collecting the gown

You will collect your gown, hood and cap before the ceremony. During certain times of the day, this can be busy and noisy due to students queuing. If you need support, you can ask to take someone with you like a friend or family member. Someone from the gowning company will help you put on your robes. If wearing them makes you feel uncomfortable, you can ask to wait and put it on when you arrive at the ceremony.

Arriving for your ceremony

The venue will open up to 45 minutes before the ceremony starts. There is sometimes a queue to get in. If you or your guest has a bag, it may need to be searched.

On arrival at the venue, someone will ask your name and the course you studied, so we can show you to your seat. These people are Ushers and will help you throughout the ceremony. They will be wearing a black graduation gown. In the hall you will sit with your classmates. You will have a card on your seat, which you must keep until you cross the stage.

About the ceremony

In each ceremony there are approximately 200 people in the venue, and noise levels can be quite high when people are talking. There will be music playing when you arrive. In the ceremony there are screens with a video playing whilst everyone takes their seats. If you need help, you can talk to an Usher, who will be stood in the hall.

When the ceremony starts, music will play. The academic procession will enter the hall. The academic procession is made up of the Presiding Officer, and academic staff. All students and guests need to stand at this point. The Presiding Officer will make a brief speech. During and at the end of the speech the audience will clap.

After the speech, all students will cross the stage. You do this as a celebration of you graduating, and ther Presiding Officer will be stood on the stage.

Crossing the stage

You will be told when to stand, and you will be taken to an area near the stage. Your name card will be checked, and a member of staff will help you with your gown if you need it. You may need to queue for a few minutes as you wait to go up on stage and this can feel like a long wait. If you need help, you can speak to an Usher.

Someone will show you to the stage. When it is your turn you will give your name card to someone who will read your name out. You will then cross the stage, where you can shake hands with the Presiding Officer. If you do not want to shake hands, you can hold your arm across your chest as you walk up to the Presiding Officer.

After you have crossed the stage someone will show you back to your seat. As each student crosses, the audience claps; some will shout or cheer. It takes about 30 minutes for everyone to cross the stage.

The procession then leaves the stage and walks back out of the hall. An Usher will tell you when to stand, and you will walk out of the hall. The academic procession will stand and clap for every graduate as they leave the building.

After the ceremony

You will wait near the ceremony space while everyone else leaves the hall. It may take a little while for you to find your friends or family. It can get busy at this point, so you can move to a quieter area if you need to. You may wish to agree a meeting point with family and friends before you go into the ceremony.

Photography

There will be official photographers available on campus. You can book a photo package with the photographers, Marston Events, before you arrive if you want to. If you haven't booked before but still want your photo taken, you can go and see them on the day. Talk to the photographer if you want them to make any adjustments for you such as not using a flash.

Refreshments

There is a dedicated space where you can get some light refreshments after the ceremony. You may need to show your wristband for access. The space can be busy and noisy.

For friends and family that can't get a guest ticket, the ceremonies will be filmed and streamed live on the University website.

On arrival, please go immediately to the registration desk located in Teesside University London. You should arrive at least 90 minutes before your ceremony starts to allow you time to collect your event wristband, pick up your gown, and have photographs taken.

Download our campus map

Graduation is a formal occasion and lasts around an hour, so it may not be suitable for children.

All children must be accompanied by an adult (18+) at all times. Graduates will not be seated with child guests, so another adult must supervise them throughout the ceremony and on campus at all times.

Children aged between 3 and 17 years old require their own ticket and seat.

Children under 3 years old do not require a ticket, but must sit in the lap of their accompanying adult, restricted to one child under 3 per adult.

If you have any questions about children at graduation, please email graduationtickets@tees.ac.uk.

Due to high demand, ceremonies are expected to be very full and we are not able to accommodate additional guests, all ticket bookings are strictly limited to 2 guests.

Teesside University works with Ede & Ravenscroft and Marston Events, our commercial partners for academic dress and photography, and receives a small commission. This is re-invested into the graduation ceremony.

Book your gown

Book professional photography packages

We recommend you book gowning and photography packages as soon as you book your tickets - gown booking will close up to two weeks before the graduation event commences. Ede and Ravenscroft and Marston Events are on campus during graduation for gown collection, but students are free to look at alternative providers should they wish.

It is the level of your final award, and not the programme you were enrolled on to, that determines the colour of your gown.

A grey gown, with Teesside University hood and grey mortar board with grey tassel for:

• Certificate in Education
• Certificate of Higher Education
• Higher National Certificate Diploma of Higher Education
• Higher National Diploma
• Diploma of Higher Education
• Diploma in Nursing Studies
• Professional Graduate Certificate in Education
• Graduate Conversion Diploma in Psychology
• Foundation Degree
• Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice

A black gown, with Teesside University hood, black mortar board with black tassel for:

• Advanced Diploma in Nursing Studies
• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Engineering
• Bachelor of Engineering Technology
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
• Postgraduate Certificate
• Postgraduate Diploma
• Postgraduate Certificate in Education

A red gown, with Teesside University hood, black mortar board with red tassel for:

• Integrated Masters Degree (Master of Computing, Master of Engineering, Master of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Optometry)
• Master of Pharmacy
• Master of Arts
• Master of Business Administration
• Master of Science
• Master of Education
• Master of Laws
• Master of Public Administration
• Master of Public Health
• Master of Surgery
• Master of Research
• Professional Practitioner Qualification
• MPhil

A red/grey gown, with Teesside University hood, cloth bonnet with red tassel for:

• Doctor of Business Administration
• Doctor of Clinical Psychology
• Doctor of Education
• Doctor of Criminal Justice
• Doctor of Health Psychology
• Doctor of Health & Social Care
• Doctor of Public Health
• Doctor of Professional Practice
• Doctor of Psychology
• PhD

Ede & Ravenscroft close the pre-order link approximately two weeks before the first graduation ceremony. We advise you book early to secure your gown.

If you miss the pre-order you can still order a gown on the day, however there is an additional charge for this. You should leave plenty of time to hire on the day as this process requires manually registering so it does take longer.

Photography Refunds

Full refunds are available up to and including the day of your ceremony, provided photography services have not been used.

For unused photography products not yet delivered, you have 30 days after your ceremony to request a refund (an admin fee will apply).

To request a refund, visit marstonevents.com/contact or use the live webchat (Mon-Fri, 09:00-17:00). You'll need your Order ID and Student ID.

Gown Hire Refunds

You can cancel your gown hire via your Ede & Ravenscroft account up to 7 days before your ceremony.

Log in at edeandravenscroft.com, go to 'Recent Orders' and select 'View/Edit'. After the 7 day deadline, please contact the University directly to discuss a refund.

Support letters are not required as there are alternative documents available for this purpose. We recommend that you use your Graduation ceremony booking acknowledgment email and Proof of Award letter which will become available to you once your award has been released. This applies to your own and dependants' visa applications, these documents will also need to be presented for any dependants linked to their application.

These documents do clearly state that you were a student here, what you studied, and the dates you were enrolled with us, along with your graduation ceremony booking acknowledgment confirming the date, location, time, and how many guests you intend to join you at your ceremony. These documents in conjunction with one another do provide a lot of detail about the reasons for your visit and do also apply to your dependant's visa applications.

Guidance on applying for a Standard Visitor Visa

You must ensure that you make arrangements to leave the UK on or before your current visa expiry date (unless you are planning to extend your current visa or switch into another permissible immigration category on or before this date).

Further information is available on the Gov.uk website, including a list of supporting documents.
More about Standard Visitor Visa

Please note: UKVI currently advise that Standard Visitor Visa applications are taking on average 4 weeks to process.
More about Visa processing times

If your family would like to visit you in the UK for a period of under 6 months, they can do this by making a Standard Visitor Visa application. Further information is available on the Gov.uk website, including a list of supporting documents required.

Please note: UKVI currently advise that Standard Visitor Visa applications are taking on average 4 weeks to process. The application fee is currently £127.00 and the earliest you can apply can apply is 3 months before travel.

Bespoke support letters are not generally required as there are alternative documents available for this purpose.

If your family are visiting generally and you require a University letter to confirm your enrolment status at Teesside University, you may be able to download an appropriate letter from your e-vision account. You can log in to e-Vision with your Teesside University username and password and download available letters under the 'My Courses' tab.

If your family are visiting to attend your Graduation Ceremony, we recommend that you use your Graduation Ceremony booking acknowledgment email, and the Proof of Award letter which will become available to you when your award is released. These documents should be used for your own and your family's visa applications.

These documents clearly state that you were a student at Teesside University, your course details, the date, location, time and time of your Graduation Ceremony, and how many guests you intend to join you at your ceremony. These documents, in conjunction with one another, provide adequate detail of the reasons for your Standard Visitor Visa applications.

If you choose to defer your ceremony during 2025/6 - June ceremonies - all deferrals will be invited to the 2026/7 ceremonies.

Please ensure your contact details are kept up to date for all graduation correspondence. All graduation correspondence is sent to your institution (student) email and your personal email - you can edit your personal email details in e-Vision to ensure you don't miss out on future emails. Please add studentlife@tees.ac.uk and graduationtickets@tees.ac.uk to your safe sender list.