Step by step guide

Here is your step by step guide to a successful graduation:

1) Register to attend your graduation ceremony by booking
your ceremony tickets.

2) Order your academic dress, without which you will be
unable to graduate.

3) Read the Tickets section below.

4) Familiarise yourself with 'On the Day - Proceedings and
Instructions' information below.

1) Registration and ticket booking

You must book to attend graduation.

The link to the online booking form can be found on the 'Ticket and booking information' page of this site. When booking you MUST include your student ticket as well as booking for any guests.

You will be able to book:

• One student ticket (free of charge)

• Up to three child (under 12 years old) guest tickets (free of
charge). Any additional child tickets must be purchased as
adult tickets.

• Up to ten adult guest tickets at £22.50 each.

If either you or your guests require special arrangements at the ceremony please ensure that you complete the relevant section on the web booking form.

2) Ordering your academic dress

Full and appropriate academic dress comprising of a gown, hood and hat (normally a mortar board) must be worn by graduands.

You may attend the ceremony but you will not be able to be presented on stage if you do not wear academic dress. J Wippell and Company Ltd are robemakers to both Plymouth University and for joint Plymouth University/University of Exeter Awards (Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry and Peninsula Allied Health Collaboration).

Prior to ordering, make sure you know your head circumference, chest and height measurements and have your credit/debit card details available.

You are strongly advised to order your academic dress as soon as possible and at least 21 days prior to your ceremony.

To place an order, please see the 'Academic dress' section of this site.

3) Tickets

Once you have booked your tickets you will be able to collect them from the ticket table in the graduation lounge on the day of your ceremony.

Ticket table opening times are dependent on the time of your ceremony and are as follows:

Ceremony time	Ticket table, robing and photography open
10.00am	8.00am
1.00pm	10.30am
4.00pm	1.30pm

4) On the day - proceedings and instructions

Getting there

Please arrive on Plymouth Hoe no later than one hour before the start of your ceremony. For more information on the special Graduation Park and Ride service we have arranged for our graduands and their guests please visit the 'Getting to venue' page.

The venue

The venue for September 2012 Graduation is Plymouth Hoe. More information can found about the facilities that will be available by visiting the 'Graduation marquees' section of this site.

Academic dress

On the day of the ceremony gowning will open according to the schedule in the previous 'tickets' section. Gowns should be returned to a J Wippell representative as soon as possible after the ceremony and no later than 5.30pm otherwise you may incur full purchase costs of the gowns.

Seating arrangements

Graduands will be required to sit in reserved seats. Seating plans will be displayed in prominent positions at the venue and you should check these prior to making your way into the graduation hall. Please ensure that you sit in the seat allocated to you as this is the order in which you will be presented and shown in the programme.

Guests will not be allocated specific seat numbers. They may sit on any seat that does not bear a student name card or a reserved sign. University staff will be on hand to direct guests and graduands to their seats.

Information for disabled visitors

The ceremony
Admission to the ceremony will be strictly by ticket only. You should allow sufficient time for robing to ensure that you and your guests are seated at least fifteen minutes before the ceremony is due to start. Each ceremony should last 60 to 90 minutes.

Photography during the ceremony
Guests may take photographs during the ceremony.

Post-ceremony reception
The post-ceremony reception will be held in a large marquee placed in the Belvedere on Plymouth Hoe. This location affords breathtaking views over Plymouth Sound. Guests will be able to enjoy a glass of sparkling wine and canapés which are included in the ticket price whilst mingling informally with members of academic staff from the Schools and Departments.

A selection of gluten free canapés will also be available. Please ask the waiting staff. Please state any other dietary requirements on the online booking form.

It is anticipated that these receptions will last up to an hour.

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