Graduation
Graduation is a special moment in the calendar – a chance to recognise your dedication, celebrate your success, and look ahead to the opportunities that lie ahead. It’s a day to share with friends, family, and fellow graduates, and we’re delighted to celebrate this milestone with you.
Graduation is a prestigious event held at St Edmundsbury Cathedral in October each year. We will update this page closer to the time with specific information on the next Graduation Ceremony.
In the meantime, please read our FAQs and browse the gallery below from previous Graduation Ceremonies:
FAQs
You will only be able to register for the graduation ceremony once the Assessment Board has confirmed that you have successfully completed your award and if you have settled all outstanding tuition fee debts.
St Edmundsbury Cathedral on Saturday 12 October 2024 at 12.00pm – midday. You must ensure you have gowned, made your way to the Cathedral, and are seated, alongside your guests by 11:30am.
• You must keep us informed if you change your name and address.
• You must hire (or purchase) your academic dress from Ede and Ravenscroft at www.gownhire.co.uk at least two weeks before the ceremony.
• You must pay for your guest tickets online by Monday 15 September 2025 (details will be provided in your gown order and ticket purchase email following completion of the online graduation registration form).
• You must ensure that you have no outstanding tuition fee debts.
You may bring a maximum of two guests. All guests will require a ticket. Additional tickets may become available, if this is the case you will be notified but this is not guaranteed.
If there are any guest tickets remaining after the deadline to purchase tickets (Monday 15 September 2025), all graduates who have registered to attend will be sent an email regarding the availability of additional tickets, when they will be offered for sale and how to purchase them. If available, additional tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis. There is no guarantee that there will be any additional tickets available, and no additional tickets can be reserved. If you know that you require more than three guest tickets, we suggest that you ask your fellow graduands to see if they have any spare tickets they could purchase on your behalf before the 16 September deadline.
Please contact the Events and Alumni Assistant, Freya Loyd via email (freya.lloyd@easterneducationgroup.ac.uk) so that arrangements can be made in advance to help with you or your guest.
The ceremony will last approximately an hour to an hour and a half.
You are asked to arrive at least an hour and a half before the ceremony to allow time to gown. This also allows plenty of time for photographs and to get to the Cathedral to be seated before the start of the ceremony.
You are asked to dress smartly, and students must hire a gown form Ede and Ravenscroft to participate in the ceremony. Please bear in mind that the hood of your academic dress will need something to attach to at the front. In most instances a button should be fine, but on some garments pinning may be necessary. If you need any inspiration, take a look at last year’s photos on our Instagram! @universitystudieswsc
• Yes. Any student with outstanding monies will be unable to attend their graduation ceremony and their certificate will be withheld. If you are in doubt, please check with the University of Suffolk Finance Office on 01473 338350 or West Suffolk College on 01284 701301.
• You should also check with the West Suffolk College Library on 01284 716267 to make sure that you have returned all your library books and paid any fines.
Visit our alumni page to sign up and be part of our community! By staying connected to our Alumni Community, you will be able to continue to develop and network throughout your next steps, helping to improve your CV and stand out from the crowd.
