Plan your Graduation Day

Things you must do before the day . . .

How will I receive my invitation?

Invitations for your Graduation ceremony will be sent to you via email (to your university and personal email address). You will then be prompted to log on to the Online Registration Service to register your attendance and order tickets. 


When will I receive my invitation?

If you receive your results:

  • in March, your invitation will be sent in March (before/after results) and your ceremony will be in July
If you receive your results:

  • in June, your invitation will be sent in March (before results) and your ceremony will be in July
If you receive your results:
  • in September, your invitation will be sent in October (after results) and your ceremony will be in January
If you receive your results:
  • in November, your invitation will be sent in October (before results) and your ceremony will be in January

When should I respond to the invitation?

It is important that you inform us of your decision to attend Graduation as soon as you receive your invitation. Do not wait until you have received your results! 

If you do not access the system by the deadline and register your intention, it will be assumed that you do not wish to attend your graduation ceremony. 


What if I am unable to attend my ceremony?

Even if you are unable to attend your ceremony, you must still log into your Graduation account. Part of the process involves registering important information in relation to Certificate dispatch. If you do not register, your certificate will be posted to your home address. 


What if I am unable to attend but want to defer until a later date?

 In exceptional circumstances, you may be able to defer your ceremony to the next suite of ceremonies. You will need to apply to defer your ceremony. Please note that there is a strict deadline for deferment applications.


What about tickets for my guests?

All students who respond to their invitation before the initial deadline are guaranteed two guest tickets. For more information, please go to our tickets page. 


What if I studied my course at a Partner or Franchise College?

If you study a University of South Wales course with the following partners of the University, you will be invited to attend a University of South Wales graduation ceremony:

  • Beacon College
  • Capita Learning and Development
  • Cardiff and Vale College
  • Coleg Gwent
  • Colegau Cymru
  • Coleg y Cymoedd
  • Dyslexia Association of Singapore Academy (DAS)
  • European College of Business and Management
  • Gower College Swansea
  • Institut de Préparation à l’Administration Générale (IPAG)
  • Management Development Centre (MDCUK)
  • Learna Limited
  • Merthyr College
  • The Football League Community Limited
  • Top 2% Brunei
  • YMCA Wales Community College

Any student who studied a University of South Wales course with a partner who is not in the above list will be invited to attend an award ceremony at the appropriate college and will receive information directly from them.

How do I order my tickets?

As a graduand you are automatically allocated a ticket when you register your attendance. You can apply for up to two guest tickets via the graduation registration system, however, we are only able to guarantee tickets if graduands register before their registration deadline. 


How much do the tickets cost?

Standard guest tickets are free. The University of South Wales is one of the few institutions who does not charge graduands or guests to attend their ceremonies. However, any extra guest tickets, beyond the standard allocation of 2, will be subject to a charge of £15.00.


Can children come to the ceremony?

You can bring children, but the ceremony can last up to an hour and a half, so it’s not advisable to bring very young children. Children cannot sit with graduands – they must sit with the guests. We ask that they are taken out of the auditorium if they disrupt the ceremony. 

Due to fire regulations in the Graduation ceremony venues all guests, including children, will need a ticket. This includes babies in prams and children sitting on adults’ laps.


Who needs a ticket?

Due to the fire regulations in the Graduation ceremony venues, all graduands and guests will require a ticket. Graduands are automatically allocated a ticket when registering their attendance on the graduation registration system. All guests in the ceremony hall, including babies in prams and children sitting on adults’ laps will require a ticket. 

Graduands can apply for up to two guest tickets via the graduation registration system. However, we are only able to guarantee tickets if graduands register before their registration deadline.


What about extra tickets?

We understand how important it is for you to share your special day with family and friends. As such, if extra guest tickets are made available for any of the ceremonies, this will be communicated via specific UniLife pages relating to each of the ceremonies. You will be sent further details of how to access these in future correspondence. 

Extra guest tickets are allocated on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis. If any extra tickets become available, there will be a charge. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that extra guest tickets will be available for your ceremony.


But I really need an extra ticket

We politely ask graduands and their guests to not contact the Assessment team to request additional tickets, as we are unable to allocate extra tickets.


When will I get my ticket?

Tickets are collected on the day. Please see our pages On Your Graduation Day for more information. 


What if I have guests with me on the day who do not have tickets?

There are venues where you can see live streaming of the ceremonies. Any guests without tickets are welcome to join us on campus on the day of your ceremony and would be able to watch the ceremony at these venues.


Do you still have a question about your tickets?

Please contact us via Advice Zone Online.

What do I need to wear to my Graduation?

All students attending their graduation ceremony (graduands) are required to wear academic dress. This consists of a gown, hood and cap. Beneath your academic dress, you should wear smart clothes – no shorts, jeans or trainers, please


How do I order my academic dress?

Once you have confirmed your attendance at your Graduation ceremony, you will receive an email with further details of the University’s supplier of academic dress Ede and Ravenscroft. You are able to hire or buy your academic dress.


When can I order my academic dress?

Further information, including details on how to order, will be sent by email once registration has been completed. 

Order lines will close two weeks prior to your ceremony date. Following this, you will only be able to hire academic dress on the day of your ceremony. 


How much does it cost to hire a gown?

The cost of hiring academic dress for the day will be approximately £50. There is an additional cost of approximately £20 for an extra weeks hire, after which you must send the gown back to Ede and Ravenscroft. If you order Online you will receive a £5 discount from the price of telephone orders. 


What measurements do I need to provide?

You will need to provide Ede and Ravenscroft with your height measurement, your head circumference and the date of your graduation ceremony. Ede and Ravenscroft should hold information on the level of award you are studying and based on this the appropriate academic dress you should wear. 


When do order lines close for academic dress?

Order lines will close two weeks prior to your ceremony date. Following this, you will only be able to hire academic dress on the day of your ceremony. 


Can I hire academic dress on the day?

Yes, but please be aware that hire on the day will be more expensive, and there is no guarantee that there will be academic dress available. 


What if I order my gown but fail my exams and am not eligible to attend graduation?

Ede and Ravenscroft will provide you with a refund on your order if you are not eligible to graduate. You must submit your claim to them in writing at least 7 days before the ceremony, providing your name, name of the University, date of the ceremony and your reference information. 


What colour are the University of South Wales gowns and hoods?

Our gown and hood colours are red and grey. The academic dress varies, depending on your level of award. Download pictures of our academic dress


Is there a dress code for my guests?

There is no official dress code for guests, however the ceremony is a formal occasion and most people choose to dress smartly in accordance with this. 


Do you still have a question about your academic dress?

Please contact us via Advice Zone Online.

Things you may need to do before the day . . .

Is there an official photographer for graduation?

Yes, Tempest Photography provide the official photography for all our graduation ceremonies. 


How do I order my photography?

You do not order in advance of the ceremonies – instant proofs will be given to you in the studio when your photographs are taken, so that you can select your favourites and to place your order either at the sales desk or afterwards via the website or by post / telephone. 

All packs ordered on the day will receive a free wallet and mini prints with the order.


What products are available?

Tempest offers an extensive range of products which are available to view in advance online at: www.tempest-graduations.co.uk


When should I have my photographs taken?

Tempest will be operating multiple studios on graduation day. These will be open from the time gowns are given out until an hour after the last ceremony. You can visit us before or after your ceremony. 

However, if you choose to have your photographs taken prior to your ceremony, this must be completed at least 45 minutes before the start of your ceremony. 


Can my family have photographs taken with me?

Yes, Tempest Photography can provide photographs of you and your family. 


Are photographs taken during the ceremony?

Yes, Tempest Photography will also be on hand to capture the moment you cross the stage and are awarded your degree. These images will be available to view immediately after your ceremony and prints can be purchased to take away on the day. 

Alternatively visit www.tempest-events.co.uk, allowing 7 days after your event to order your presentation photograph.


Do you still have a question about graduation photography?

Please contact us via Advice Zone Online.

Do you cater for Specific Needs?

Yes. Both Graduands and guests with additional requirements are provided for, but we do ask that you notify us of your requirements in advance so we can ensure the appropriate services are in place.

How do I inform you of any Specific Needs?

You can inform us confidentially of any additional needs when you register your attendance or by logging into the Graduation System. We need to know if it is you (the Graduand) or your guest who has the additional requirement. We check this information regularly and will be in touch if we need any further information.

What about wheelchair users?

Our ceremony venue is fully equipped with a dedicated accessible seating. Again, we ask that you notify us via the Graduation System if you or any of your guests are wheelchair users. 

Is there disabled parking available?

Disable parking is available at ICC Wales on a first come, first served basis.  Please see the ICC Wales website for more information.

One of my guests wears a hearing aid. Is there a hearing aid loop at the venue?

Our ceremony venue is equipped with a hearing aid loop. Please visit the cloakroom at ICC Wales on arrival for further information.

Do you still have a question about Specific Needs?

Please contact us via Advice Zone Online.

Graduation and University Debt

As per University policy, you will not be eligible to attend your graduation ceremony if you have an outstanding debt owed to the University. This will also apply if you become a debtor after registering for your ceremony.

You will also not receive any official documentation pertaining to your results, including your certificate and/or transcript, until all outstanding debts are cleared.

If you believe you currently owe a debt to the University, please contact the Finance Department on [email protected] as soon as possible.


If you or your guests are travelling to South Wales to attend graduation and wish to book overnight or longer stay accommodation there are a number of options available.

ICC Wales is part of the Celtic collection and accommodation is available to book at the Celtic Manor Hotel.

Alternatively, Newport offers a wide variety of hotels and bed & breakfasts to suit all tastes and budgets.

Please see the Newport City Council website for more information.