Graduation is a celebration of your academic achievements while studying at Harper Adams University and marks the start of a new chapter in your life.
We know you are excited about graduating and have set out a few details about what to expect on the day. There are also some frequently asked questions that may help you plan. If you still have any queries or concerns there is a list of contacts that you can email for more information.
Arrival and parking
There will be complimentary parking on campus for you and your guests at graduation, although we do ask graduates and guests to please minimise the number of vehicles being brought to campus wherever possible as parking spaces are limited. Please follow the instructions of marshals on the day who will direct your car as you arrive. If you or your guests require accessible parking, please request this during online registration and follow the signs on the day.
The ceremony
All graduands are assigned a specific seat within the ceremony marquee, in programme order.
There is a short musical introduction, procession of academic staff, a welcome, and a short address. Following this, a steward will lead graduands to the front of the marquee where they wait in line for their name to be announced. Once your name is called, you will walk up a ramp, across to the centre of the stage where the Vice-Chancellor will congratulate you in celebration of your award. You then continue across the stage and down a ramp before returning to your seat from the opposite end of the row from which you left.
In the morning ceremony, after having returned to your seat, the cohort of undergraduate veterinary nursing graduates/graduands will stand and make a formal declaration as they enter the register of Veterinary Nurses held by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
After all awards have been announced and the Guest of Honour and Student Union President have addressed the congregation, the Chair of the Board of Governors closes the proceedings. The platform party then leaves the marquee, followed by the new graduates, led by stewards, and guests should follow promptly.
Guest seating
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. Please note that stewards will assist any guests with particular needs relating to themselves or their children. Guests will need to be seated by 11:00 for the morning ceremony and 15:00 for the afternoon ceremony.
Graduation day checklist
Please ensure you plan your day with sufficient time to complete the necessary tasks below, remembering that your graduation ceremony will start promptly at the scheduled time.
- Collect tickets for you and your guests.
- Collect and return your gown.
- Sign out your degree certificate, upon presentation of ID.
- Collect any pre-ordered merchandise.
Timings
The table below will guide you through your graduation day:
| Activity | Location | Morning ceremony time | Afternoon ceremony time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrival | 08:00 -10:00 | 10:30 -14:00 | |
| Ticket collection | Weston Building | 08:00 -10:20 | 10:45 -14:20 |
| Robe collection | Food Academy | 08:00 -10:20 | 10:45 -14:20 |
| Photography | Queen Mother Hall (QMH 1st Floor) | 08:00-18:00 | 08:00-18:00 |
| Graduands to take their seats and be briefed by their Course Manager | Graduation Marquee | 10:00 -10:45 | 14:00 -14:45 |
| Guests to take their seats | Graduation Marquee | 10:00 -11:00 | 14:00 -15:00 |
| Graduation ceremony | Graduation Marquee | 11:15 -12:15 | 15:15 -16:15 |
| Breakfast, lunch, refreshments and entertainment | Graduation Village | 08:00 -17:15 | 08:00 -17:15 |
| Certificate and Awards collection | Food Academy | 12:30-17:00 | 12:30-17:00 |
| Robe return | Food Academy | By 18:00 | By 18:00 |
Before and after the ceremony
The Graduation Village, located in the area between the Main Building and the cricket pitch, will be your base camp for the day, where you and your guests can buy alcoholic and non-alcoholic refreshments, choose from a range of street food vendors and celebrate your success with your guests, fellow students and faculty. Your ticket will include a voucher for a complimentary glass of fizz which can be exchanged at any point in the day. The Graduation Village will include several stands for you and your guests to learn more about the University and to collect and buy commemorative merchandise (see below).
To help with the flow of students and guests after the ceremony we ask that you vacate the area immediately surrounding the marquee promptly so that others can exit the marquee behind you.
Degree certificates
If you attend graduation, you should collect your degree certificate on the day, upon presentation of ID. Certificates will be available from the Food Academy after your ceremony. The University reserves the right to charge £5 P&P if you forget to do so.
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 by updating e:Vision. Please contact the Exams Office for any queries in relation to your certificate.
Commemorative merchandise
Official Harper Adams branded merchandise can be purchased from the online store and collected from the Main Building reception at graduation.
Live stream
Off-campus only
Please encourage family and friends off-site to head to the Harper Adams website where they will be able to view your ceremony via a live-stream on the day. Recordings will be available online for the month following the ceremonies. The live-stream will be screened in the Graduation Village marquee.
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