Graduation
Class of 2026

Graduands must wear the official Harper Adams University academic dress, comprising a gown, hood and cap, in accordance with the University's requirements.

Academic dress must be hired through the University's approved supplier (hired from Ede & Ravenscroft) Following booking, academic dress can be collected from the supplier in a designated University room before the ceremony. Academic dress is hired for the full day and must be returned to the supplier at the end of the day.

Graduands are expected to wear formal or smart business attire. Clothing that may obstruct the wearing of academic dress, such as oversized hoods, large accessories or bulky coats, should be avoided. Footwear should be appropriate for walking across the stage. Excessively high heels and casual footwear, such as flip-flops, are not recommended.

Guests are encouraged to wear smart or business-casual attire. Although there is no strict dress code for guests, overly casual clothing should be avoided.

All graduands and guests are expected to behave respectfully and follow the instructions of University staff and event personnel throughout the ceremony and associated activities. Anyone engaging in disorderly behaviour that poses a risk to themselves or others, or that significantly disrupts the event or affects the enjoyment of other graduands and guests, may be required to leave the campus.

We make best efforts to accommodate the late arrival of graduands, although, regrettably, once the proceedings have reached a certain point, latecomers will not be admitted. If you are running late, please call the main University reception on 01952 820 280 to let us know. 

Last entry for the Winter graduation ceremony is 13:15  

All graduands are assigned a specific seat within the ceremony. Stewards will be on hand to help you find your seat.

Guests take their seats separately from graduands and are advised to do so in good time. Guest seating is not pre-assigned and fills very quickly.

We will reserve seating for guests with disabilities where special requirements have been indicated via online registration. If you have requested accessible seating, please advise your guests to enter the venue via the accessible entrance where they will be greeted by a steward and shown to their seats. 

No, unfortunately for our Winter Graduation we are unable to accomodate more than two guests per graduand.

Yes, the graduation ceremonies will be filmed and streamed live on the Harper Adams University website, and the recordings will be available online for the month following the ceremonies. If you have any queries or concerns regarding the above, please let us know at graduation@harper-adams.ac.uk

Information on travelling to the University can be found on our How to get to Harper Adams page.

See the Graduation timetable for timings of the day.

Yes, all our catering outlets on campus will also be open. For our Winter Graduation guests and graduands can visit the Food Academy for complimentary refreshments. 

Following the ceremony graduands and guests ticket holders are invited to a reception in the Queen Mother Hall Dining Room and recieve a complimentary glass of fizz or non-alcoholi drink and a complimentary brownie. 

No. Unfortunately, we do not have a secure area for storing your luggage or belongings. 

Regrettably, there will be no accommodation available on campus for the graduation ceremonies. 

Please note that we are unable to recommend or take responsibility for any off-campus accommodation arrangements. We would advise that you book early to avoid disappointment. 

Graduation will go ahead as planned, even in wet weather. We recommend checking the forecast beforehand and bringing an umbrella or waterproof clothing if rain is expected.

If severe weather prevents the ceremony from going ahead, graduands will be notified in advance.

If you have unpaid fees you will need to have reached an agreement with the Director of Finance before graduation or you may not be permitted to attend.  This is set out in the published Collection of Student Debt Policy. Please contact the Finance Office for further information if you are in this position, at income@harper-adams.ac.uk or on 01952 815214.

Harper & Keele Veterinary School: If you have unpaid fees and your host campus is Keele University, please contact the Income Office at finance.income@keele.ac.uk  or visit Keele University Payments page for more information.

If you are unable to attend your scheduled graduation ceremony, you may Apply to defer your attendance to a subsequent graduation ceremony, subject to a maximum of two deferrals. 

To defer your attendance, you must notify the Graduation Office at least three weeks before your scheduled graduation date. Deferral requests received after this deadline will be considered at the University's discretion, and approval cannot be guaranteed.

If you fail to register or submit a deferral request by the relevant deadline, you will be unable to attend the scheduled ceremony and will graduate in absentia, provided you meet all academic and financial eligibility requirements.

Yes, you can graduate in absentia. This means that you do not have to attend the ceremony and your Certificate will be posted to your address. If you do not want to attend graduation, let us know by completing the graduation registration form.

If you qualify for your award but do not register to attend graduation, your certificate will automatically be sent to your registered home address, by secure post, usually within four weeks of graduation. Please ensure the University has your correct postal address when you complete the registration form.

Please contact Exams Office for any queries in relation to your certificate.