Graduation day - what to expect

When you arrive on campus, our security team will guide you to the designated free parking areas. We recommend allowing extra time for your journey to ensure a smooth and stress-free day, especially in case of any queues.

If you require disabled parking, please inform the parking marshals when you arrive, and they will direct you to the accessible parking area.

Before heading to the Graduation Marquee, you'll need to sign in and collect your tickets, along with your guest tickets, from the Weston Building. While we love seeing your supporters join in on the celebration, due to limited space inside, we kindly ask that you collect the tickets on your own. Your guests are welcome to relax and enjoy the Graduation Village in the meantime.

For Graduands taking part in the Morning Ceremony please arrive on campus between 08:00am and 09:30am ready for your ceremony at 10:30am.  

For Graduands taking part in the Afternoon Ceremony please arrive on campus between 11:00am and 1:30pm ready for your ceremony at 3:00pm.  

For those without a ticket to the Marquee, the ceremony will be live-streamed on a large screen in the Graduation Village. No ticket is required for the Village — simply find a comfortable seat and enjoy the event!

Once you have collected your tickets, you will be directed to the Food Academy for gowning. Please note that entry to the Food Academy is only through the Weston Building, as all other entrances will be one-way.

Gowning is an exciting part of the day, and it may take some time to ensure the best fit — and that you feel comfortable. We recommend allowing plenty of time before your ceremony to give the skilled Ede & Ravenscroft team the opportunity to find the perfect gown for you.

If you haven’t pre-paid for gown hire, please remember to bring a payment card to settle the hire on the day.

As with ticket collection, we kindly ask that all guests wait outside while you are being gowned due to limited space. For more information about your gowns, please visit the Ede & Ravenscroft FAQ page.

Once you’ve been gowned, ticketed, and registered, it’s time to head over to the Graduation Village.

The Marquee will open at 9:30am for the Morning Ceremony and 2:00pm for the Afternoon Ceremony. We ask that you head to the Marquee no later than 45 minutes before your ceremony begins. Course teams and friendly volunteer marshals will be there to guide you to your seat.

If you arrive early, feel free to visit the Graduation Village for some refreshments and to start celebrating your achievements. Official photography will also be available in Queen Mother Hall, so don’t miss getting a professional snap or two.

We ask that all ticketed guests make their way to the Marquee between 09:30am and 10:15am for the Morning Ceremony and between 2:00pm and 2:45pm for the Afternoon Ceremony.  

For those without a ticket to the Marquee, the ceremony will be live-streamed on a large screen in the Graduation Village.

This is your moment of celebration—take a deep breath and enjoy every second!

You’ll be invited onto the stage with your classmates, in alphabetical order. Your degree classification won’t be announced during the ceremony. When your name is called, you’ll walk across the stage to meet the Vice-Chancellor, holding your scroll. As a mark of respect and congratulations, the Vice-Chancellor will doff his cap (nod his head) to you.

While this is your special moment, for health and safety reasons, we kindly ask that you don’t shake hands with the Vice-Chancellor. Instead, give your best smile to the photographer positioned just offstage for your Vice-Chancellor photograph. This photo will be available a few weeks after the ceremony and sent to you via email.

Afterwards, a member of your course team will guide you back to your seat and provide any further instructions.

Join us for a post-ceremony reception where you can celebrate with those who have supported you throughout your university journey!

Photography and Social Media: Official photographers will be available inside the Queen Mother Hall for both pre-booked and on-the-day professional photos. There will also be photographers and videographers wandering around during the day, capturing candid moments and posting on social media. Smile, you might be famous! 📸 If you have any concerns about being photographed/filmed, please speak to the marshals on the day to let us know. Also, please tag us in your grad posts and use the hashtag #HarperGrad24 to share your memories with us! 🎓

Merchandise: You can purchase any official merchandise from the Harper Adams Students’ Union outside of The Barn throughout the day. Please remember to bring cash, as many of our outlets do not accept card payments.

Returning Gowns: Once you’ve wrapped up your celebrations, please return your gowns to the Food Academy Building by 6:00pm.

A variety of food and drink options will be available throughout the Graduation celebrations. Guests are welcome to purchase refreshments from the following locations:

The Welly Inn: Serving a selection of alcoholic beverages.

Graduation Village: Offering a range of food and non-alcoholic beverages, including soft drinks.

The Barn: Water is available to purchase here.

Accessibility: If you or your guests have any specific accessibility needs, please let us know in advance so we can provide the best support possible. Please Note: Due to working livestock on campus, only assistance dogs will be allowed during Graduation.

Lost Property: While we have plenty of security on campus, we encourage you to keep your belongings secure at all times. If you find anything that might have been misplaced, please hand it in to a member of the Graduation team.

Students’ Union Afterparty: There will be a Graduation afterparty hosted by the Students’ Union starting at 9:00pm. Tickets are still available for £8.50 via the SU webpage.