Graduation Ceremonies

Graduation ceremonies are held at Symphony Hall, part of the International Convention Centre in Birmingham city centre. For travel information visit the Graduation Venue page

For a full schedule of what to expect on the day, visit the What Happens on The Day  page. We recommend arriving at least 90 minutes before your ceremony starts to allow enough time for registration, gown collection and photography. 

Symphony Hall is fully accessible, with staff available to assist graduates and guests with mobility needs.

• Accessible parking is available for Blue Badge holders but must be booked in advance when securing guest tickets. Spaces are limited and available 90 minutes before the ceremony with a 30-minute departure window after the event.
• A drop-off point for wheelchair users is located at the traffic island on Cambridge Street with pedestrian access via King Alfred’s Place.

Each ceremony lasts approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

The ceremony will include speeches from:

• The Academic Procession (welcome address).
• An Honorary Doctorate recipient (guest speech).
• A graduating student (concluding remarks).

• Stand on the ‘X’ marked on stage, when your name is called
• Once your name is announced, walk across the stage to shake hands with our Chancellor or nominee.
• Return to the hall for the rest of the ceremony (you will not return to your original seat).

You can register for your ceremony, but your place will be withdrawn if outstanding debt is not cleared by the deadline. If this happens, you will be invited to a future ceremony, provided you have not deferred more than once.

For payment queries, contact the Debt Recovery Team at debtrecovery@bcu.ac.uk.

You can request a visa support letter when completing your online registration. This confirms your ceremony invitation and registration status which can support your visa application.

For details, visit the Visa Support Letters page.

Yes, all ceremonies are filmed and live-streamed online. Links will be available on the ceremony day.

Yes, but please consider the 1.5 to 2-hour duration, as young children may become restless.

• A viewing room is available for parents who need to step away.
• Children must be supervised at all times. Venue staff cannot provide childcare.
• Children aged 18 months and older require their own seat, which counts towards the two-guest ticket limit.

No, certificates are not presented at the ceremony and you do not need to have received yours to attend.

Once your award is confirmed, you will receive an email directing you to the mySRS Portal to confirm the address for postal delivery.

• Graduates from September 2019 onwards automatically receive access via Gradintelligence. 

• Final transcripts: Contact certificates@bcu.ac.uk.
• Replacement transcripts: Contact your Faculty Student Centre.

Your MySRS portal access has been extended. if you have login issues, email graduations@bcu.ac.uk

You can request to defer when completing your online registration. If you need to defer after completing registration, email graduations@bcu.ac.uk as soon as possible.

• Your place will be transferred to the next graduation ceremony.
• You will receive a new invitation for the next available ceremony.
• If you had already booked guest tickets, gown hire or photography, you will need to rebook these for your rescheduled ceremony. Please check the refund policies for each service.

If you have any questions about deferring, email graduations@bcu.ac.uk for further advice.

If your ceremony reaches capacity before the deadline, registration will close. You will be contacted via email regarding your options.

To update your attendance status or publicity preferences, email graduations@bcu.ac.uk by the . After this date, changes cannot be made as arrangements will be finalised. 

New orders must be placed for the next upcoming event. 

Each graduate can book initially. Additional tickets may be released later, subject to availability. 

If tickets are still available for your correct ceremony, a refund will be processed for the incorrect tickets but handling fees will be retained.

• Seating changes: If additional tickets are released later, they may be in a different area. You can request a reallocation, but a relocation fee may apply.
• Wrong ceremony date/time: If you booked tickets for the wrong ceremony, you must rebook and request a refund for the incorrect tickets. To request a refund please email graduations@bcu.ac.uk with your student ID, full name, email address used for the booking and your booking reference.
• Updating contact details: Email graduations@bcu.ac.uk with your updated details.

No, there is a maximum of two guest tickets per graduate, per ceremony initially. If additional tickets become available, they will be released in general sales.

No, prams and pushchairs are not allowed inside the auditorium. They must be stored in the cloakroom. 

Yes, you will need to place a new order for the rescheduled ceremony. 

Yes, all graduates wear a gown to cross the stage. Anyone without a gown will be presented. 

Gowns are collected on the day of your ceremony or posted to you if you have arranged an extended hire. Please arrive early to allow enough time. 

After registering at the ICC, you will be directed to Hall 4 to collect your gown. Visit the Gowning and photography page for the latest details.

Dedicated staff will be available to help you how to put on your gown, cap and hood.

• Smart business attire is required.
• Casual clothing (e.g. jeans, t-shirts) is not permitted.
• Wear a shirt, blouse or dress with buttons to secure your gown.
• Choose comfortable shoes for walking across the stage.

If you have multiple awards in the same ceremony, you only need to order one gown.

When registering, you will be asked to select which award you wish to cross the stage for. Your gown order will be matched to this award. The University will register only your chosen award with the gown supplier.

If you have any questions, please check the Gowning & Photography page or email graduations@bcu.ac.uk.

• If both awards are in the same ceremony, you only need to order one gown.
• If your awards are in different ceremonies, you must order a separate gown for each ceremony (e.g. undergraduate vs Master’s gown).

No, graduates do not need to book a specific timeslot for portraits. However, pre-booking your photography package via Ede & Ravenscroft is recommended.

• Payments on the day are card-only (AMEX not accepted).