Frequently Asked Questions

Congratulations! The first thing you need to do is to let us know whether you'll be coming to the Graduation ceremony or not. 

So grab your invitation letter and follow the steps below: 

Step 1: Let us know if you're coming

We need to know if you're coming or not so you need to register for your ceremony. To register, make sure you have your student reference to hand (if you don't remember it it's on your letter) and visit our website to register here: www.glasgowclyde.ac.uk/graduationandawardsceremony2023

Step 2: Tell us about your guests

You don't need a ticket to attend, but your guests do. You'll automatically get two tickets allocated to you when you register. Please let us know if you don't need these tickets.

You'll also get the option to ask for up to four extra guest tickets when you register too.

Step 3: Tell us about any accessibility requirements

Please let us know if you or your guests have any accessibility requirements so we can support you on the day.

You need to register by 8am on Sunday 22 October 2023.

You'll be invited to Graduation If you've successfully completed your qualification and have finished studying at the college.

The types of qualifications that are included at Graduation are completion of a full HNC award (Level 7) or any qualification above this level, for example HND, BA, BA (Hons), BA/Diploma Higher Education, SVQ or PDA.

If you've completed one level of an HN qualification and are still studying with us, you be invited to attend once you've finished the highest level of the course we offer. For example, if you've completed an HNC and have progressed to year 2 of an HND, or to a BA/Diploma Higher Education course, you'll be invited once you have finished the highest level of the course we offer.

We makes every effort to ensure all eligible students are invited to attend Graduation. However, if you think there has been an error and you should be invited to attend, please email graduation@glasgowclyde.ac.uk

The good news is that there is no charge to attend graduation.

You will need to hire an academic gown to wear during the ceremony. The cost of hiring a gown is £26.

You can also buy photography packages. This is not compulsory but it will give you a great memento of the day!

Don't worry, if you are eligible to graduate but are unable to attend Graduation we can arrange to post your commemorative certificate out to you. 

Just contact us with your details by emailing graduation@glasgowclyde.ac.uk 

Yes, you can are automatically allocated up to two guest tickets. During online registration, you will be able to order your guest tickets. Don't forget to tell us about any accessibility requirements your guests might have when you register.

You can ask for up to four extra tickets and you'll get an email with tickets closer to the date of the ceremony if your request is successful. Please note that unfortunately we may not be able to fulfil all requests for extra tickets.

Each student is automatically allocated a seat so you don’t need to order a ticket for yourself.

We're often asked if the ceremony is suitable for children to attend. Here are some things to bear in mind:

• Children will need to sit with guests during the ceremony as it's not possible for them to sit with a parent who is graduating.
• The ceremony is over an hour long, and younger children might find it difficult to sit and keep quiet for this length of time. 
• Prams and pushchairs are not allowed in the Bute Hall, but they can be stored elsewhere if you speak to a member of university staff.
• If children do become restless we'd need to ask that parents/carers tend to them outside the hall while the ceremony is going on.
• Children who are small enough to sit on a parent / carer's lap won't require a guest ticket. Children who are bigger will need to use one of your two guest tickets so they can sit in their own seat. 

Graduation is a special day and we want you to glam up for the occasion and look your best. 

But please wear shoes that you'll be comfortable walking in as you'll need to walk up to the stage during the ceremony to receive your scroll.

Remember that whatever you choose to wear, you'll also have an academic gown to wear with it.

There won't be anywhere for you or your guests to store any personal belongings on the day.

Please do not bring bags or rucksacks to graduation. The University of Glagow do not permit bags and rucksacks into the Bute Hall for security purposes and there will not be anywhere to store them.

Yes, there is a prayer room on Level 7 of the James McCune Smith Building at the University of Glasgow which will be open.

University of Glasgow - MyGlasgow - James McCune Smith Learning Hub

You hire your gown from Ede & Ravenscroft, who are a specialist gown hire company. 

You'll see the link to hire a gown when you register to attend, but you can also use this link www.edeandravenscroft.com 

When you hire your gown you'll need to tell them the name of the course you studied, for example HNC Social Services. Make sure you don't get your HNCs and HNDs mixed up as this will affect the type of hood you're given to go with your gown.

The cost to hire a gown online is £26. You can hire a gown on the day but it will cost you £30 to do it this way.

The deadline to hire your gown online is XXXXXXX

Yes, you'll need to wear a gown on the day - it's part of the whole graduation experience!

You hire the academic gown to wear for the ceremony, but if you're getting photography after the ceremony, then you can hang on to your gown for that too.

Once you're finished with the gown just return it to the collection point in the Hunter Halls - this is the same hall where you picked it up. 

Many people like to have a memento of the day with some photography. 

You don't need to pre-order photography, and if you change your mind you can arrange this on the day.

There will also be photography taken during the ceremony of you going on stage. You can see the picture and collect and pay for it after the ceremony in the Hunter Halls.

You can order photography and ask any questions you might have by contacting our photography supplier Ede and Ravenscroft.

We'll have a college photographer there to take pictures throughout the day which we'll use to share on our website and on social media after the day. 

You'll be asked to give your consent for this when you register, so please let us know if you or your guests don't want to appear in any photography.

Please note: if you don't give your consent for photography it  might mean that we have to seat you away from your class group during the ceremony, and any guests who don't consent may be seated at the back of the Bute Hall. This is to ensure that you/your guests avoid being caught in any general photography.

Don't leave it to the last minute to work out how to get to the University of Glasgow, and give yourself plenty of time to travel on the day. 

The address is:

University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8QQ.

The ceremony is taking place in Bute Hall at the University of Glasgow. This is the main university building with the tower that you can see on the Glasgow skyline.

Parking is really restricted around the University of Glasgow and we strongly recommend that you travel by public transport to get there.

Public Transport 

If you are using public transport, please plan your journey and give yourself plenty of time to arrive. 

Bus

Routes 4, 4A and 15 run through the main university campus from the city centre. Plan your journey by bus here

Train

The nearest train station is at Partick, about 1 mile from the university. Plan your journey by train here

Subway

The nearest subway station is at Hillhead.  Plan your journey by subway here

Further details about travelling to the University of Glasgow.

Travel by Car

• Parking is generally unavailable within the University of Glasgow grounds.
• Limited disabled spaces are available within the University of Glasgow grounds.
• Parking is restricted in the surrounding streets.

The big day has arrived!

There are a few things you need to do on the day before the Graduation ceremony, so make sure you get there in plenty of time.

We'd recommend that you get there at least an hour before your ceremony. 

Please make sure that you're on time as unfortunately we may not be able to allow you into the ceremony if you're late.

When you arrive

When you arrive you should go directly to the Hunter Hall to:

1. Register - We need to know that you're here so we can read your name out. You need to register in person (your guests can't register for you) and you'll be given a card with your seat number on it. Keep hold of this card as you need to sit in that specific seat during the ceremony.
2. Collect your gown - so you're looking the part. If you haven't pre-ordered your gown you can do this on the day.
3. Have your photography taken - you can also have this taken after the ceremony.

Next, have a quick bathroom visit and then head up to the Bute Hall to take your seat 30 minutes before your ceremony starts. Guests need to be seated 15 minutes before the start, but should get there as early as possible (this will help them to get the best seat).

Top tips for the day:

You won't be able to leave the Bute Hall once the ceremony has started so we recommend that you and your guests visit the bathroom before being seated.

We'd also recommend bringing a bottle of water with you to keep hydrated.

Agree where you'll meet with your guests after the ceremony.

The ceremony usually lasts for around an hour and a half.

You'll be seated alphabetically with your course on one side of the hall with everyone else who is graduating, and your guests will be seated on the other side. Don't be tempted to move seat as you won't be in the right order to go up to the stage.

The ceremony will start with an academic procession and you'll be asked to stand for this.

You'll hear from the Principal and a guest speaker and then everyone's names will be read out as you go up to collect your scroll. 

You'll be handed your scroll by the Principal - he'll shake your hand and a photograph will be taken. You can see this after the ceremony in the Hunter Hall and choose to buy it then. If you'd prefer not to shake the Principal's hand just let one of the staff helping you up to the stage know. 

Once you collect your scroll you'll be directed to the back of the hall to collect your college certificate and then return to your seat.

Don't worry, there will be plenty of staff on hand to help you know where to go and when.

Once the ceremony is over there are a couple of things you need to do.

1. Meet up with your family (it's a good idea to arrange a meeting point before the ceremony)
2. Have photography taken in the Hunter Hall (if you didn't manage before the ceremony) and also check out the photograph taken during the ceremony to see if you want to buy it.
3. Return your gown to the Hunter Hall
4. Celebrate with your family / friends - you deserve it!

No, this is issued directly to you from SQA. You will be presented with a Glasgow Clyde College Commemorative Certificate.  

Additional tickets may be available on a first come, first served basis. Once registration closes, everyone who registered to attend the ceremony and requested additional tickets will be entered into a ballot. If you are successful, you will receive these tickets the week commencing 23 October 2023. 

On the day, for entry to the ceremony, guests must produce tickets. 

Please note that access to seating in the upstairs gallery is unsuitable for those with mobility or relevant access issues.

Please share these FAQs with your guests so everyone has all the information they need about Graduation to hand.

If you and your guests are travelling separately, arrange where you'll meet at the University of Glasgow beforehand - and keep in touch on the day in case anyone is running late.

Your guests are welcome to join you in the Hunter Hall during registration, photography and while you are collecting your gown. They can also wait for you in Bute Hall.

It's a good idea to arrange a meeting point for after the ceremony so you can meet up with your guests. 

The ceremony is one and a half hours long so everyone should visit the bathroom before the ceremony.

Please remember that all students must be seated 30 minutes before the ceremony starts. Guests must be seated at least 15 minutes before the ceremony starts.

During the ceremony your guests will be seated on the other side of the hall from you.

Don't forget to tell us about any accessibility requirements when you register your guest tickets as this will affect where they can be seated. Guests with mobility or relevant access issues should arrive early to get seated on the ground floor of the Bute Hall.

Graduation is a celebration and your guests are there to help share your day. Let them know they can feel free to take plenty of pictures and to clap and cheer when you go up to the stage.

Please don't bring items like heliumm balloons or flowers with you as they won't be permitted in the Bute Hall.

The University of Glasgow is accessible to all but it's important to note that the Bute Hall is not situated on the ground floor and is reached by stairs or by a lift.

Guests with mobility or relevant access issues should arrive early to get seated on the ground floor of the Bute Hall. Please note that the balcony in the Bute Hall is not suitable for anyone with mobility / relevant access issues or for wheelchair users.

Please let us know if you or your guests have any accessibility requirements when you register. If you need any additional support, please email graduation@glasgowclyde.ac.uk by Wednesday 30 October 2024.

Yes - Guide Dogs are allowed in the Bute Hall.

If you or your guests require a BSL interpreter please let us know when you register.

Yes, fire drill instructions wil be announced before the ceremony begins.