Resources for Current Students

Graduation Ceremony - 2.30pm Friday 18th September 2009

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to graduate?

Graduands who have successfully completed their course of study

When will I receive my tickets?

After you have received your final results. Graduands do not need a ticket but their guests do. Each graduand will receive two tickets for guests in their graduation information pack, which will be sent out in early July 2009 after publication of results. Packs are sent to those who have successfully completed their course. If you have re-sits or are studying on a postgraduate course you will not receive graduation details until September results are published.

Where will Ceremony take place?

The ceremony takes place in a large marquee in the College grounds. Expected attendance is around 1,800.

What time should I arrive?

You should arrive in good time to collect robes and have your formal photographs taken. This may take a couple of hours. Graduands must be seated in the marquee by 2.15pm which is 15 minutes before the ceremony commences.

Will I be able to get something to eat?

The Dining Room and Kaldi Cafe will be open.

What should I wear?

Graduands should be smartly, but simply, dressed as they will be wearing formal academic gowns. Jeans, shorts and trainers are not appropriate.

What is academic dress?

This consists of a gown, hood and mortar board. These items may be bought or hired directly from J Wippell & Co of Exeter. Orders can be placed online after publication of results in early July at www.wippellgownhire.co.uk or by post using the order form included in the graduation pack. Click here to view images of the various Harper Adams and Open University academic dress.

Where do I sit, and do my guests sit with me?

All graduands are assigned a specific seat with their name on it, in programme order, according to course and award classification. Guests take their seats separately from graduands and are advised to do so in good time as guest seating is not pre-assigned and fills up very quickly. Guests are admitted, by ticket only, to the marquee from 1.15pm, onwards and should be seated by 2.15pm.

How long is the Ceremony?

The Ceremony commences at 2.30 pm and finishes at approximately 3.45 pm.

Are young children allowed to attend?

Whilst young children are not discouraged from attending, it should be borne in mind that they may get restless during the Ceremony which can be too long for them. Another consideration is that the marquee can get very warm.

What happens when the Ceremony is over?

Complimentary afternoon tea is provided for graduates and guests.

What if I want to stay overnight?

Graduands who would like to stay overnight at the College should contact the Student Services Office on 01952 815286. For guests, details of local places to stay may be obtained from the Conference Office on 01952 815324.

What if I have disabled guests?

The College will endeavor to make special seating arrangements if contact is made to Liz Powell prior to the Ceremony on 01952 815256 giving details of any special requirements.

Can I defer my graduation?

No. If you cannot attend you will be listed on the programme as graduating in absentia and your certificate will be sent to you by post. Please ensure the Examinations Office has your correct address details. The Examinations Office can be contacted on 01952 815372.

What if I have unpaid fees or charges?

Graduands who owe money to the College for unpaid fees charges or fines, will not be able to graduate until the debt is settled.

What if I am taking re-sits in September?

You will be notified of your result by your Senior Tutor or Course Manager after formal publication of the results in mid-September. If you have passed you will be eligible to graduate and you will need to confirm your attendance at the ceremony to your Senior Tutor or Course Manager when you are given your results.

Extra Tickets

There is a limited number of extra tickets which emanate from those graduands who are unable to attend the ceremony. There is a waiting list for additional tickets and a request for up to two extra tickets may be made after publication of results by emailing Liz Powell. Allocations are made on a 'first come first served' basis during week commencing 14 September 2009 after September reassessment results when final seating numbers are known.

Information for Reaseheath Students

Students at Reaseheath College studying for a Harper Adams award will receive preliminary details concerning graduation in March 2009. Those students will then be notified of their award by Reaseheath College in mid-September when results are announced. Successful students wishing to attend the Ceremony will need to confirm their attendance to their Senior Tutor.

Information for Postgraduate Students

You will not receive your Graduation pack until results have been confirmed in mid-September but you will still be eligible to attend for graduation on 18 September 2009.

Contacts

Enquires may be directed to Liz Powell:
Tel: 01952 815256
Email: lpowell@harper-adams.ac.uk

For Gown Hire

For Portrait Photography