On the day
On the Day
You will be given a specific time for your ceremony several weeks before the day. Please arrive in plenty of time.
The Venue
Graduation ceremonies take place at Southwark Cathedral.
The magnificent gothic cathedral sits on the south bank of the River Thames.
London Bridge overground and underground stations are a five-minute walk away. Entrance to the cathedral is from Montague Close, next to The Mudlark public house.
Address:
Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge,
London, SE1 9DA
Order of the day
You (the graduate) will be given a specific time for your ceremony several weeks before the day. Please arrive in plenty of time.
Once at the cathedral, your guests will collect their tickets from the corridor as you enter. Then, you (the graduate) will be guided to the rear of the cathedral to receive your tickets and be fitted with your gown and mortar board (hat) while your guests can become acquainted with the cathedral.
A short time before the start of the ceremony you will be asked to take your seats. Graduates must sit in the specific seat they have been assigned, failure to do so could mean you miss your turn to cross the stage. Guests are free to sit in any of the seats in front of the stage.
At the start of the ceremony, there will be procession of the chancellor/vice chancellor/pro chancellor, programme leaders and other dignitaries to the stage. You will then be called to the stage in the order that you are sat. Marshals will be nearby to guide you and ensure a smooth transition from the seats to the stage.
At the end of the ceremony, the chancellor/vice chancellor/pro chancellor will confirm the awards.
Afterwards, you are then free to mingle and take photographs with your guests and other graduates.
Gown Hire & Photography
Graduates are expected to dress in formal attire as the ceremonies are formal occasions. We strongly recommend hiring your gown and mortar board (hat) from our partners at Ede & Ravenscroft. E&R have worked with the university for a long time and will have their own station within the cathedral to dress you in your gown correctly before the ceremony.
Photography is optional and also provided by E&R. Professional photography takes place upstairs at the cathedral and can be done before the ceremony (if you have time) or after the ceremony.
Close