Graduation and Awards Ceremony FAQs

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

We'll email your invitation to you so don't forget to check your junk mail. 

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, just click the link in your invitation email and complete the form.

Registration will close at 11pm on Sunday 18 October 2026.

Step 2: Guest Tickets

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, or you just need one ticket. You'll receive your guest tickets when you register on the day, and should then pass them to your guests.

Step 3: Tell us about any accessibility requirements

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

Step 4: Order your academic gown and photography

Once you've registered it's time to order your gown and photography. Just click on the link in your invitation email and complete with your details.

 The cost of hiring a gown is £30.

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'll 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 £30.

You can also buy photography packages. This is not compulsory but it will give you a great memento of the day to share with family and friends.

Don't worry, if you are eligible to attend graduation but are unable to attend on the day, 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 invite up to two guests and are automatically allocated two guest tickets., When you complete your registration form, 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.

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.
• 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. 
• 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.

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

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

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.

You may bring a small handbag to the ceremony but you will need to leave this at your seat when you're going up on stage.

Please do not bring large bags or rucksacks to graduation. The University of Glagow do not permit large 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 Simth Building at the University of Glasgow, which will be open.

University of Glasgow - MyGlasgow - James McCune Smith Learning Hub

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 Hall - this is the same hall where you picked it up. 

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

You'll see the link to hire a gown in the invitation you receive by email from us.

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.

You'll collect and return your gown in the Hunter Hall, after you register on the day.

The cost to hire a gown online is £30. 

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

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

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

You can order photography and ask any questions you might have by contacting our photography supplier Ede & Ravenscroft using the link in your invitation email.

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 complete your registration form, 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. Parking is extremely restricted around the University of Glasgow, and in the surrounding streets, and we strongly recommend that you use public transport to get there on the day. For example, by using park and ride at the subway, or by getting the train or bus.

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.

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.

Car

• Parking is generally unavailable within the University of Glasgow grounds.
• Limited disabled spaces are available within the University of Glasgow grounds.
• Parking is extremly 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 begins, so make sure you get there in plenty of time.

We'd recommend that you get to the university at least an hour and a half 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. Go to the Registration desk - We need to know that you're here so we can read your name out. You need to register in person and you'll be given a folder with your seat number on it. Keep hold of this as you need to sit in that specific seat during the ceremony. You'll also be given your two guest tickets.
2. Collect your pre-ordered gown - so you're looking the part. 
3. Go upstairs to the Kelvin Gallery and have your photography taken - you can also have this taken after the ceremony.

Next, have a quick bathroom visit and then head through the cloisters to the bottom of the Randolph staircase. Don't worry, we'll have staff available to direct you. You should be here 45 minutes before your ceremony starts. You'll then be taken up to the Bute Hall to take your seat 30 minutes before your ceremony starts.

Guests will reach the Bute Hall using the Grand Staircase and need to be seated 30 minutes before the start of the ceremony, but should get there as early as possible (this will help them to get the best seat). You'll need to pass the guest tickets on to your guests before they head to the Bute Hall.

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 before and after the ceremony.

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

You'll be seated alphabetically with your course in the hall with everyone else who is graduating, and your guests will be seated in separate allocated seating. 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 your name is read out you'll go up to the stage and meet the Principal - he'll shake your hand and a photograph will be taken. You can see this after the ceremony in the Kelvin Gallery 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. 

You'll then be directed back 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 Kelvin Gallery (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 and friends - you deserve it!

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

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, and so you can pass on their guest tickets.

Your guests will not be allowed into the Hunter Hall while you register, collect your guest tickets and gown. You should arrange to meet them after this and they can join you in the Kelvin Gallery while you have photography taken.

It's a good idea to arrange a meeting point for after the ceremony too 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 make their way to the base of the Randolph Staircase (through the cloisters) 45 minutes before the ceremony starts. Guests must be seated at least 30 minutes before the ceremony starts and will reach the Bute Hall via the Grand Staircase using the the entrance opposite the Hunterian Museum. Staff will be on hand to direct students and guests.

During the ceremony your guests will be seated separately from you as you will be seated with your class group.

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 in 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 helium 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 in the Bute Hall. 

Please let us know if you or your guests have any accessibility requirements when you register.

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 will be announced before the ceremony begins.