Graduation

To attend the Graduation ceremony, you must register by completing our online registration process. This can be done via our ticketing and gowning company, William Northam.

How to Register

To gain access to the online registration site via William Northam, please click on the link below (link will be available Monday 9^th April 2018):

Registration for Graduation Ceremonies

Fill in the details in the new customer box, then enter your university student ID (first 3 letters of your surname followed by your 8 digit ID), Surname and then your University email address (as noted in the invitation email). Once you have created an account you will be able to amend your email address and other contact details by selecting the ‘my details’ option. Please make note of all login details, as you may need these for purchasing extra tickets in the future.

The online site will allow you to register your place at the ceremony, book complimentary guest tickets and organise gown hire. Subject to availability, you will also be able to purchase extra tickets after the initial registration deadline (3^rd August 2018).

A confirmation email will be sent to the email address you provide during registration as proof of your booking. This email address will be used to send future correspondence regarding the ceremony. Therefore, please ensure you fully complete the registration process and provide your correct details. If you do not receive the confirmation email, please log back in and check your booking.

What if I can't attend?

If you do not wish to attend a graduation ceremony, or are unable to attend this ceremony, please contact us at graduation@lincoln.ac.uk and we can invite you to the following set of ceremonies if requested. If you have completed the registration process already, please also cancel your place and cancel or defer your gown hire purchase with William Northam directly.

Please note: attendance at graduation is subject to the successful completion of your award and payment of any outstanding tuition fees.

 Please see our Terms and Conditions of Graduation Attendance with reference to late registrations.

Please ensure you book your gown well in advance of your graduation date by visiting the gowning website (William Northam). Your gown will be collected on the day of your ceremony.

The deadline to book your gown is Monday 20^th August 2018

The link to hire your gown is below:

Mortarboard and gownhire

The dress code for the ceremony is smart. Remember that academic gowns do not hide what is worn underneath, so what you wear will be very visible to the entire congregation. Gowns are also more difficult to wear over very casual clothes as they do not ‘sit’ well on the shoulders. Buttoned shirts are helpful for securing your gown hood and jackets help keep the gown in place. Your gown will slip if worn over silky fabric and very low‐cut tops leave you with no means of keeping the hood in place. Please avoid jeans, trainers, casual sandals, open‐necked shirts, T‐shirts and shorts as they are inappropriate for a formal graduation ceremony.

Finally, remember you will have to wear a mortar board, so take care that your hair style will allow you to do so.

Please note: It is a requirement that all graduands attending their graduation ceremony wear the appropriate University of Lincoln academic dress.  

Immediately after the Graduation ceremony an Alumni celebration reception will take place in a marquee in the grounds of Lincoln Castle.

All graduates are invited to attend this reception with their guests. After the ceremony the academics will process out of the Cathedral and to the Castle. We ask students to join this procession and meet their guests in the Castle grounds and then to attend the Celebration reception.

Drinks will be available from the paid bar. After the reception, you will be able to return your gowns.

Only guests with tickets will be able to attend the celebration reception.

Parking

The University does not provide parking for the graduation ceremonies. There are 'pay and display' car parks near to the Cathedral and Castle that also have disabled parking bays. Please allow plenty of time to arrive in Lincoln and find a parking space before the ceremony begins, as these car parks can get busy.

Car parks in Lincoln (please note that the Castle Hill car park may be closed over the graduation period).

Registration

All students who wish to attend their graduation will be required to complete an online registration form. By completing the registration form you are consenting that the information collected can be used for graduation purposes and shared with appropriate departments within the University such as Finance and Alumni. The information will not be disclosed to any third parties outside the University of Lincoln.

Graduation Ceremonies as a Public Event

The University of Lincoln’s bi-annual graduation ceremonies held in January and September are considered to be public events. This means that the names and award titles, but no classifications, of all graduands (including those graduating in absentia) are published in the graduation brochure. In addition, the names of graduands will be provided to our external supplier for use on graduation products such as graduation t-shirts and hoodies. This does not include award titles or any other information.

Photography

The University’s official photographers are Tempest Graduation Photography. They will be available in the photography studio in the Castle Grounds, before or after your ceremony.

Visit Tempest Graduation Photography to view packages and prices. Unfortunately, it is not possible to pre-order a photography package, but these can be ordered during and after your ceremony.

Filming

There will be a professional video recording taken of each graduation ceremony, this will be streamed on the University of Lincoln’s website and will be available for purchase on DVD after the ceremony. Graduates and guests seated in the Cathedral should be aware that they may appear on this recording.

The Press

The local press may be in attendance at the ceremonies and may take photographs and video footage. They will not use individual or small group shots of you without asking for your consent first.

Communication

We are usually only able to discuss student-related matters directly with the student concerned and are not at liberty to divulge information or take instruction from a third party, even if that person is a family member.

Additional Information

We need to know if graduands or their guests require any additional requirements (e.g. for health or mobility reasons), so that appropriate support and adjustments can be made on the day. This information is held securely and only shared with those involved in the running of the ceremony, such as the graduation ushers. Any information regarding a student or their guests’ additional requirements will be deleted immediately after the ceremonies have taken place. 

My visa will expire before my graduation ceremony, how can I attend my graduation?

If your visa expires before your graduation ceremony you will need to return home before your visa expires and apply for a Standard Visit Visa to return to the UK (your family can also apply for this visa). When you are issued with a Standard Visit Visa you can then attend graduation using this visa to travel to the UK. It can take some time to receive this visa so you need to apply well in advance of your graduation ceremony. There are a number of documents you need to prepare for the visa application and this may also take some time. It is important that you research this visa carefully to ensure your visa application is successful.

For more information about Standard Visit Visas, visit our website.
Information from the Home Office about Standard Visit Visas is available on the gov.uk website.

If you have any questions about your visa please contact the International Advice Team either by emailing Internationaladvice@lincoln.ac.uk or if you are in Lincoln attend their drop-in Monday-Friday between 12pm-2pm in the Student Support Centre.