Graduation

To register, you will need your registration email, sent by graduation@lincoln.ac.uk, with your personalised login details which will provide access to the online registration site at William Northam.

Fill in the details in the new customer box, then enter your university student 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 a 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, purchase guest tickets, and organise gown hire.

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. 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.

Terms and Conditions

Please see our full Terms and Conditions:

Graduation Terms and Conditions - September 2024

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. If you have completed the registration process already, please also cancel your place and cancel your gown hire purchase with William Northam directly.

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

Graduand tickets are available on a first come, first served basis and could sell out before the booking deadline. Registration for our September 2024 ceremonies closes at midday on Friday 2nd August 2024.

Your own ticket will have a seat number printed on it. You must sit in the seat allocated to you as it determines the order you will cross the stage during the ceremony. Your ticket will allow you admittance to the celebration reception and also contains a free drinks voucher, so please keep hold of it.

Ticket Email

Tickets will not be sent in the post. A ticket email will be sent to the email address provided during registration. This email will be sent after ticket sales have closed, and you will need to bring this email and photo ID with you to collect your tickets from the ticketing desk. Your ticket email will state what time you can collect your tickets, and where from.

For ticket enquiries, please contact the graduation team at graduation@lincoln.ac.uk.

Terms and Conditions

Please see our full Graduation Terms and Conditions:

Graduation Terms and Conditions - September 2024

Ceremony Dates

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 link to hire your gown is: Mortarboard and Gown hire

The deadline to book your gown for the September 2024 ceremonies is Friday 2nd August at midday.

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 be mindful that the Cathedral and Castle Square area have cobbles/uneven flooring so appropriate footwear is recommended. 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 hairstyle 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.

10.30am Ceremony

All graduands must arrive between 8.00am and 9.30am.

On arrival, please go to Lincoln Castle to collect your tickets and gown. There will also be an opportunity for photographs to be taken before the ceremony begins.

The doors to the Cathedral will open at 9.30am and the ceremony will begin at 10.30am.

All guests and graduands MUST be seated by 10.00am.

Gowning and Photography

Gowns are to be collected from the Castle between 8.00am and 9.30am. Ushers will direct you upon arrival. All gowns must be returned by 1.00pm.

The official photographers will be taking photographs in the Castle from 8.00am to 9.30am before the ceremony and also after the ceremony. There is no need to pre-book any photography.

2.30pm Ceremony

All graduands must arrive between 11.30am and 1.30pm.

On arrival, please go to Lincoln Castle to collect your tickets and gown. There will also be an opportunity for photographs to be taken before the ceremony begins.

The doors to the Cathedral will open at 1.30pm and the ceremony will begin at 2.30pm.

All guests and graduands MUST be seated by 2.00pm.

Gowning and Photography

Gowns are to be collected from the Castle between 12.00pm and 1.30pm. Ushers will direct you upon arrival. All gowns must be returned by 5.00pm.

The official photographers will be taking photographs in the Castle from 12.00pm to 1.30pm before the ceremony and also after the ceremony until 5.00pm. There is no need to pre-book any photography.

7.30pm Ceremony

All graduands must arrive between 5.00pm and 6.30pm.

On arrival, please go to Lincoln Castle to collect your tickets and gown. There will also be an opportunity for photographs to be taken before the ceremony begins.

The doors to the Cathedral will open at 6.30pm and the ceremony will begin at 7.30pm.

All guests and graduands MUST be seated by 7.00pm.

Gowning and Photography

Gowns are to be collected from the  Castle between 5.00pm and 6.30pm. Ushers will direct you upon arrival. All gowns must be returned by 10.00pm.

The official photographers will be taking photographs in the Castle from 5.00 pm to 6.30pm before the ceremony and also after the ceremony until 9.30pm

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 and local roads may be busier than normal during graduation week.

You can find a map of car parks in Lincoln on the City of Lincoln Council's website (please note that the Castle Hill car park may be closed over the graduation period due to its location next to Lincoln Castle).

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 the Finance and Alumni teams. The information will not be disclosed to any third parties outside the University of Lincoln.

Children

Children are welcome at Graduation Ceremonies, however, the University of Lincoln advises that the Graduation Ceremonies are not wholly suitable for babies or young children as they are long, formal occasions.

Any children in attendance that are under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 18 at all times. This means that any accompanying adults will need to have guest tickets. It is the responsibility of the graduand to ensure any children under the age of 16 are always accompanied by a suitable adult.

Guest tickets will be required for any child aged four and above. Children aged three or under can attend the ceremony free of charge, providing that they sit on a guest's lap or in a pushchair. If the child will be coming in a pram or pushchair, please contact the graduation team to let us know.

Behaviour

Graduation is a shared, happy occasion and we expect all students and guests to conduct themselves appropriately. Abusive, disruptive and threatening behaviour towards graduands, guests, staff from the University, the venue, or our suppliers prior to or on the day of Graduation will not be tolerated. 

The University of Lincoln reserve the right to refuse entry to Graduation or to ask anyone to leave Graduation if they act in a manner which we deem to be offensive or disruptive to proceedings or to other attendees. No guest ticket refunds will be available in such circumstances.

Graduation Ceremonies as a Public Event

The University of Lincoln’s graduation ceremonies 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 official 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 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. Graduates and guests seated in the Cathedral should be aware that they may appear on this recording.