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Graduation: Frequently Asked Questions

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The Ceremony

I haven’t attended a ceremony before. How should I prepare?
There is a video guide available to help you.
How long will the ceremony last?
The ceremony will last about an hour. Students will need to arrive up to two hours before the ceremony is set to start, in order to register and collect their guest tickets. Further details will be sent in a letter which will accompany your student ticket in June.
Where does the ceremony take place?
In the Auditorium of the Bridgewater Hall.
Can guests sit with students?
No, guests are seated in the upper levels in the circle or balcony.
Are guests given seat numbers?
No, only students are given seat numbers for the auditorium. Guests are free to sit in the upper levels, but it is worth allowing plenty of time on the day as seats will fill up quickly.
Will I collect my award certificate at my ceremony?

Certificates are not given out at the graduation ceremony. Certificates are printed throughout the year.

If you graduate in the summer you can either:

  • Collect your Certificate from the All Saints Student Information Point (SIP), Ground Floor, All Saints Building from Monday 1st August 2011. You will need to tell us that you are doing this by selecting this option in the Graduation online booking system.
  • OR
  • We will post your Certificate to your permanent address in September. Please remember to update your address on the booking system if you are moving.

If you have not received your certificate within 6 months of your qualification being awarded, please email awards@mmu.ac.uk. We will charge a certificate re-print fee of £35.00 for any notification of non-delivery received more than 6 months after your qualification being awarded.

All other times of the year certificates are normally posted within 4–6 weeks of your qualification being awarded.

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Academic Dress

How do I hire my gown?
You can hire your gown from Ede and Ravenscroft at www.gownhire.co.uk.
Do I need to wear a gown on my graduation day?
Yes, all students attending must wear academic dress. You can order your gown online through Ede and Ravenscroft.
Is there a dress code for graduation?

Yes, students and guests choose to dress smartly for the day wearing suits, dresses or even national costume.

Ede and Ravenscroft, the official photographers offer the following tips to look smart and unruffled on the stage and in your graduation photograph:

  • A smart shirt and tie. Waistcoat optional.
  • Button up blouse
  • A brooch (or safety pins) if you choose to wear a dress or a top without buttons, so you can secure your hood
  • National dress
  • We also advise that you bring some hair clips as well to secure your mortar board.
I have hired a gown, but can no longer attend my ceremony. Can I get a refund?
Yes, you can, but only up until the 11th July 2011 or 7 working days before your ceremony. Refunds should be requested from Ede and Ravenscroft directly, either by logging on to your account and cancelling your order online, or by sending them an email.
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Photography

How do I pre-order my photographs?
You can pre-order your photographs at the same time as you hire your gown (from gownhire.co.uk). We recommend that you do this, as it will save you the time needed to make your choice on the day and will also save you money.
Where do I get my photographs taken on my graduation day?
Ede and Ravenscroft will be available throughout the day at the studios in the Town Hall in Manchester. The Town Hall is a five minute walk from the Bridgewater Hall. You must collect your gown from the Bridgewater Hall first.
What are the studio opening times?
Studios are open throughout the day from 8.30am until 9.30pm (except Monday ceremonies from 11am and Friday start at 7.30am and finish at 7.30pm). Studio Access is via the Cooper Street entrance at the rear of the Town Hall, off St Peter’s Square.
Can I have my photographs taken before my ceremony?
Yes, you can have your photographs taken before your ceremony, but you must collect your gown from the Bridgewater Hall beforehand.
Can I have my photographs taken at anytime during the day?

Yes. It doesn’t matter when you choose to have your photographs taken as studios are open from 8.30 to 9.30, (except Monday ceremonies from 11am and Friday start at 7.30 am and finish at 7.30 pm) so you can go along at any time.

For those attending the first ceremony of the day, we recommend that you visit the studios BEFORE your ceremony starts as it can be very busy afterwards. However, you must register and collect your gown from the Bridgewater Hall beforehand and be back 45 minutes before your ceremony is set to start.

An ideal time to visit the studios is when another graduation ceremony is taking place.

  • The best times to avoid queues are during other ceremonies at 10.30–11.45 am, 2.00–3.15 pm and 6.00–7.15 pm
  • OR
  • For Friday ceremonies the best times to avoid the queues are: 9.30–10.45 am, 1.00–2.15.pm and 4.30–5.15 pm

REMEMBER – YOU MUST COLLECT YOUR GOWN FIRST FROM THE BRIDGEWATER HALL

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Publication of result classifications

Will my result classification be published in the Award Ceremony Booklet or read out as I go across the stage at the Bridgewater Hall?
No, we do not publish result classifications in the Award Ceremony Booklet nor are they read out as you go across the stage.
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Booking and Tickets

When can I register attendance and book tickets for my graduation ceremony
You can register your attendance and book tickets via our on-line graduation booking system from the middle of April 2011.
I owe fees to the University, can I still register to attend my graduation ceremony?

You will need to ensure you have an agreed instalment plan in place or alternatively you must contact our Credit Control team on 0161 247 1852 who will discuss all available payment options with you.

Until you have paid or have an agreed plan in place, you will be unable to access the graduation system to register and purchase guest tickets.

Why do I need to register my attendance and buy guest tickets before I get my results?
We organise ceremonies for more than seven and a half thousand students so, we have to know well in advance how many people are going to attend. Therefore you will need to register your attendance and buy your guest tickets before you know your results.
How do I pay for guest tickets?

If you register by the closing date you are guaranteed two guest tickets, if required.

You do not pay for your student ticket, but we have to make a charge of £11.00 each for guest tickets to cover the cost of hiring the venue.

Guest tickets can be purchased on-line when you book your attendance. You will need a valid credit or debit card to do so.

What is the deadline for purchasing guest tickets?

Once the closing date has passed, we will release all unsold tickets and you can log back into the graduation booking system to purchase any extra ones. Please note that the demand for extra guest tickets is very high and we cannot always meet this.

Closing date for guaranteed tickets: 20th May 2011
Extra tickets released: 6th June 2011
Any late extras released: 20th June 2011

How do I collect guest tickets?

Your student ticket will be sent to you through the post in mid to late June. We cannot send guest tickets through the post. Students will collect their guest tickets on arrival at the Bridgewater Hall. Please remember to print off your receipt and bring it with you. Unfortunately, we cannot issue guest tickets to anyone other than the graduating student who has purchased them.

There are no tickets for sale on the day at the Bridgewater Hall. All guest tickets must be purchased in advance via the on-line graduation booking system. We cannot admit guests who do not have tickets.

How do I claim a refund?

We hope that you will be successful in your final assessments but if it turns out that you need to do re-sits you can either:

  • Claim a refund at any time up to 31st October 2011 by emailing graduationrefunds@mmu.ac.uk
  • OR
  • If we do not receive a refund request by the deadline, we will automatically give you a credit for tickets to attend the 2012 ceremony.

If you can’t attend for any other reason, we can only provide a refund if you let us know before the day of your ceremony by emailing your request to graduationrefunds@mmu.ac.uk.

Problems with attending your schedule ceremony

What if have a problem attending my scheduled ceremony?

If you cannot make your ceremony day and time, we may be able to arrange for you to come on a different day.

Please contact the graduation helpline on 0161 247 6888 or email sip@mmu.ac.uk to discuss your situation.

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International Students

I was an international student in the UK last year, but have now returned home. I need a visa to come to Manchester for my ceremony, what must I do?
To assist your visa application we can supply a formal invitation on an MMU letterhead. To ask for one, please contact the Graduation Helpline on 0161 247 6888 or email sip@mmu.ac.uk.
I would like to invite family members from overseas to my ceremony and they need visas, what can I do to help them?

If your guests need visas, the visa application form and country specific information is on the UK visas website.

You will need to let them have the following documents to enclose with their visa application:

  • Photocopy of the main page of your passport
  • Photocopy of your visa
  • An invitation letter from you. We recommend you use our standard letter .doc file, 200k.
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Information for Disabled students and Guests

What arrangements should I make if I require assistance on the day, for example, wheelchair access to the stage or a BSL interpreter?

If you need assistance, there is an opportunity to tell us when you register via the graduation on-line booking system.

OR

Alternatively, if you prefer to discuss your needs please contact the Graduation Helpline on 0161 247 6888 or email sip@mmu.ac.uk and a member of staff will be able to help you.

I have mobility difficulties, can I go up onto the stage?

Please ring 0161 247 6888 or email sip@mmu.ac.uk to let us know before your ceremony, so we can make the necessary arrangements.

On the day of your ceremony please arrive as close to the scheduled time as possible so as we can show you the access arrangements. Ede and Ravenscroft, the robe hirers can provide special help with robing on the day.

What arrangements can be made for guests with mobility difficulties?

All floors in The Bridgewater Hall are easily accessible for guests with mobility difficulties, with wheelchair spaces on each level. Reserved seating will not be necessary as there are plenty of places available on all levels. Staff at the Bridgewater Hall can assist you if you need help.

Parking spaces are available in the Manchester Central (formerly G-Mex) Car Park (opposite the Bridgewater Hall) with easy access to the Hall via an underpass and lift which brings you out just near the main entrance. Please visit the Bridgewater Hall website for details on where to park.

There is a wheelchair user drop off point is on Lower Mosley Street (see map on the Bridgewater Hall website). However, this is not a parking space, even for blue badge holders.

There are designated disabled bays located on Chepstow Street at the rear of the venue. And there is also plenty of on-street pay and display parking bays on Whitworth Street West and Great Bridgewater Street, in which badge holders may park free of charge with their badge only, displayed without time limit.

Is it possible for guests to use a hearing loop at The Bridgewater Hall?

The Bridgewater Hall does have a loop system in the hall – although it works quite differently from a normal hearing loop. It’s an infra red system and guests must pick up a loop necklace from the cloakroom where they will be advised of the best places to sit to pick up the signal.

These loop necklaces work with the usual hearing aids and the newer digital ones. We also have headsets with headphones only, for those with no hearing aid but that want the sound amplified in their ears. Further access information is available on The Bridgewater Hall’s website.

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Guests with young children

Can I bring young children along with me to graduation?

Although graduation is an important occasion for the whole family, we do not recommend that you bring very young children with you.

The acoustics in the Hall are very sensitive and small children will probably find it hard to sit quietly for too long.

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Getting to the Bridgewater Hall

How do I get directions and parking information for the Bridgewater Hall?
Please visit the Bridgewater Hall website to get driving and travel directions, including where to park.
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