Please find listed below a number of questions that we are frequently asked. If you have a question that isn’t on the list please feel free to contact us.
Q: When will I receive an invitation to my awards ceremony?
A: If you have been awarded your results by the end of July, and have no debts (i.e. tuition fees, rent, library fines etc.) outstanding to UEL, then you are eligible to attend one of our ceremonies and an invitation will be sent to you in August – please make sure your contact details are correct on UEL Direct. If you still have a dissertation to be marked in September, are going through re-sits, or have a late assessment board, your invitation will be sent as soon as your results become available to us.
Q: How do I book my space?
A: Once you have received an invitation you will be able to book your ticket and any guest tickets via our online booking system.
Q: Can I defer my ceremony to next year?
A: If you have a legitimate reason and put your request in writing to us, we will allow you to defer your ceremony for one year only.
Q: I did not attend my graduation last year, can I attend this year's?
A:If you were unable to attend your ceremony last year, you may be able to do so this year. Please contact the graduation team before booking.
Q: I have an outstanding debt to the university, what should I do?
A:Outstanding balances must be settled for you to attend the ceremony. Please contact the finance and registry department to check and settle any monies owed, you can contact them on 020 8223 7526.
Guests and Tickets Questions
Q: How many guests can I bring?
A:All graduands can apply for a maximum of two guest tickets and availability is based on overall demand. There may be an opportunity to purchase extra tickets closer to the ceremony date. Please check the website for news.
Q: How much are tickets?
A: Guest tickets are £25 each. There are no concessions and no group discounts. The money that you pay for each guest ticket will cover the cost of a seat in IndigO2, a souvenir programme and light refreshments after the ceremony.
Q: Are children allowed to attend the ceremony?
A: We do not recommend bringing young children to your Graduation Ceremony as they are long and formal occasions.
Children under 2 may sit on an adult guest's lap without a ticket, children over 2 years old that do attend must have their own seat and will have to pay the full £25 for their tickets, must be accompanied by an adult and will count towards your ticket allocation.
Children and minors who attend as guests are your responsibility. If they are not accompanied by a suitable adult guest you will be asked to leave so that you can care for them. Please note that children and other guests do not sit with graduands during the ceremony. There are no concessions and everybody will need a ticket to enter IndigO2.
You must let us know if you are bringing children under 2 on the booking form under the special requirements section so that we are able to allocate appropriate seating on the groundfloor for your guests and children.
Conditions here reflect the venue's health and safety policy, you may be asked to leave if you do not adhere to these terms.
Q: Do I have to pay for my ticket?
A: No, there is no charge for graduate’s tickets.
Q: I will not be bringing guests, do I still need to book?
A: Yes, we still require you to fill out the online booking form, regardless of whether you will be bringing a guest or not, as we need to know that you are attending.
Q: When will I receive my guest tickets?
A: We will aim for all tickets to be sent out no later than 2 - 3 weeks before your ceremony. Please contact us if you have any concerns. Any tickets that are not received/not posted will be available for collection at IndigO2 when you register on the day of your ceremony.
Q: Me/My guest have special needs, how can these be accommodated?
A: If you or any of your guests have any special requirements that you feel we should be aware of please be sure to notify us when you make your booking, or as soon as possible so that we can make the appropriate arrangements for you. Email: graduation@uel.ac.uk /Telephone: 020 8223 2600
Q: Will I be seated with my guests?
A: No. You will be seated with your fellow graduates at the front of the hall, directly before the stage. All guests will be seated behind the graduates and on the upper level.
Q: Can I buy extra tickets on the day?
A: There may be extra tickets available to purchase on the day, but we cannot guarantee this. To avoid disappointment please telephone us beforehand to check if tickets are available. Any tickets sold on the day will be on a first come, first serve basis. We only accept credit/debit card payment for tickets that are bought on the day.
Q: My relative(s) back home need a letter of invitation in order to apply for a visa to enter the country / My visa will expire before the ceremony - can you provide a letter to support our visa application?
A: We can do this, but please note that we are not obliged to. If you or your relatives require a letter in order to assist with a visa application, you need to fill in the visa application form on this website and email it back to graduation@uel.ac.uk. We will only issue letters to a maximum of two guests and the graduate, these will only be issued if you have passed your degree and have booked and paid for your awards ceremony places. It may take up to two weeks to process some letters, especially during our busy periods. NOTE: We reserve the right to stop issuing letters if we are too busy, or if the requests come in less than 21 days before the date of the ceremony. We will not write letters for people who issue us with unreasonable demands, or are rude to our staff.
Q: I’ve bought a guest ticket(s) that I no longer need, can I have a refund?
A: We appreciate that for reasons beyond your control you or your guest(s) may discover that you are unable to attend the ceremony. In order for us to provide you with a full refund we need to have all requests for refunds in writing no later than one week before your ceremony. We will not issue refunds that are requested after this time. We cannot issue refunds on the day.
Venue Questions
Q: Where is the ceremony being held?
A: All 9 of our ceremonies are held at IndigO2, The O2, Peninsula Square, London, SE10 0DX. For further details on how to get there, please visit their website.
Q: Is there parking available?
A: Yes, there is parking available at the O2, for parking options and queries regarding diabled parking please visit the O2 website at www.theo2.co.uk/inside/car-parking-2.html. Parking may also be cheaper if it is booked in advance, please see the website for details.
If booking parking with IndigO2, please select the date of your graduation and enter 'Graduation' when asked for the Transaction ID.
Ceremony Questions
Q: How long will the ceremony last?
A: Each ceremony will last approximately 2 hours.
Q: What happens after the ceremony?
A: After the ceremony there will be a drinks reception in the Union Square Bar - directly opposite the IndiO2, which will last approximately one hour.
Q: Will I receive my certificate/scroll at the ceremony?
A: Certificates and Diploma Supplements are not presented at the Graduation Ceremonies. Students will receive them either:-
by post through Royal Mail recorded delivery/registered airmail to the address nominated on UEL Direct or
by personal collection - requests for this can ONLY be made by emailing assess@uel.ac.uk
The process of producing Certificates of award/diploma supplements begins as soon as classifications are published on UEL Direct and it is expected that students should receive theirs no later than 6 weeks after publication, although this cannot be guaranteed.
For queries regarding your certificate, please email assess@uel.ac.uk
Gowns and Services
Q: How do I order an academic gown?
A: Academic gowns can be ordered online from Ede & Ravenscroft, the official gown hire company. You must order your gown at least 3 weeks prior to your ceremony. There is a £5 discount if you order online. Go to: www.gownhire.co.uk and follow the online instructions.
Please note that gowns cannot be hired through UEL!
Q: What should I wear underneath my academic gown?
A: As the Awards Ceremonies are formal occasions, most people tend to dress quite smartly, and we recommend if possible for you to wear a shirt or top that buttons up, in order for your gown hood to sit comfortably.
TIP: You may also wish to bring some hairgrips, to ensure your mortar board stays on and safety pins to fix your gown hood should you not be wearing a shirt.
Q:What does my gown look like?
A:
You can preview your gown here.
Q: Can I book professional photographs?
A: Yes, our photographers, H Tempest have been taking our graduates’ photographs for many years and are very professional. They will be on hand all day, before and after your ceremony, and won’t leave until they have taken everybody’s photograph. Visit their website 4 weeks before your ceremony to see what they offer – www.tempest-graduations.co.uk. You can also just visit their stand on the day of the ceremony – no appointment necessary. Tempest will be situated in the American Bar & Grill, which is located immediately to your left as you enter the O2. TIP: Please try and visit them before the ceremony starts if possible, as they get very busy after the ceremony, and you may have to queue for some time.
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