All you need for your Graduation!

Graduation day is a time to celebrate, but it does not come without its planning. That’s why we want to make sure you are well-prepared so that you can enjoy your graduation stress-free.

With that in mind, we have compiled a list of things to remember in the run up to the big day.

Booking Confirmations

Amidst all the excitement of the day, it's important to remember that you still need all the various booking confirmations to gain access to the ceremony.

Your graduation e-Ticket will be available to download 24 hours before, and you should also remember to book your two free guest tickets if needed. You could choose to print these off and have a physical copy - just in case!

If you have booked a photography package online for your graduation, you should also double check you have the confirmation.

Accommodation

Depending on when your ceremony is on the day, or where you and your friends and family are travelling from, you may need to book a hotel or another form of accommodation nearby to the Guildhall. This saves on very early starts or very late evenings!

There are various options to suit most budgets, but university accommodation may also be available for you and your family if needed. Contact the University’s Conference and Lettings team at conferences@port.ac.uk to find out more information.

Clothing

Traditional academic dress is a requirement of attendance - this means you need to have booked your cap, gown, and hood in advance. You can either hire or purchase academic dress at varying prices. If you haven’t booked yours yet - you can still do so! There is a late booking charge, but you don’t want to be without your gown!

You will be able to pick this up the morning of your ceremony. So get up, get ready and then head to Spinnaker Sports Centre to get your gown. Make sure you leave plenty of time to then get to Guildhall!

Don’t forget to drop off your cap and gown back at Spinnaker Sports Centre after your ceremony!

Photo Arrangements

You can book a 30-minute slot for professional photography here, carried out before or after your ceremony.

There are sessions throughout the day so you can book it for when it suits you. You might prefer to take pictures before the ceremony, but make sure to give yourself lots of time to get between locations. Or, you could get your pictures done after at a more leisurely pace.

If you haven’t booked professional photography, not to worry! We’ve put together a list of the top graduation photo locations in Portsmouth that you can find here.

Food & Drink

After the ceremony, you are free to enjoy the rest of the day with your family and friends. We recommend pre-booking a nice restaurant or table at a pub to refuel after a long day.

There are some great pubs to sit outside and have a drink in Old Portsmouth, whilst Gunwharf offers a range of restaurants, both of which are less than 20 minutes-walk from the Guildhall.

Celebrate

After all, this is what the day is about! All your hard work deserves to be celebrated. Celebrate with your family and friends, your tutors, and enjoy the day.

Remember to buy your tickets for the UPSU Graduation Party at The Astoria and Mr Miyagi's here to complete your graduation day.