Collect your gown from MacRobert Hall, Quadrangle, Schoolhill and enter His Majesty's Theatre when the doors open one hour before the beginning of the Summer ceremonies.

On arrival your guests will be shown to their seats and you will be directed to Student Check-in to register your attendance and be allocated a seat number (which you will then be directed to).

Graduands (those graduating) and guests should be seated no less than 20 minutes before the start of the ceremony. If graduands arrive later they may not be able to take part in the ceremony as expected.

What to expect during the ceremony

  • Marshals will indicate when to leave your seat with your fellow students. Take only your hood and hat with you
  • Your hood will be folded over your right arm by a member of staff - do not put your hood on at this point. Keep your hat in your left hand
  • University Staff will indicate to you when to move towards the right of the stage and will direct you onto the stage at the appropriate time 
  • Your name will be called by the Dean of Faculty or Head of School 
  • Cross the stage. The Hooder will take your hood off your right arm 
  • Stand in front of the Chancellor/Vice Chancellor who will confer the award 
  • If you are being presented with a degree then you will be capped. The Chancellor/Vice-Chancellor will use his own cap to confer the degree 
  • Face the audience with your back to the Hooder 
  • The Hooder will place the hood over your head and around your neck 
  • Continue across the stage and collect your scroll 
  • Leave by the steps stage left and return to your seat

Graduation Map

Parking

Guests with cars should leave adequate time to find parking spaces at the nearest city centre car park, the closest being the Denburn or Harriet Street (Bon Accord Centre). There are various public car parks in the city centre.

Disabled Parking in Aberdeen City Centre

Accessibility Arrangements

If stairs present a difficulty for you alternative access to the stage can be made if you tell us in advance.

Please note this at your online registration, along with any other concerns you may have about the ceremony, and the Student Administration staff will contact you. You should note at the same time if the venue presents any potential difficulties for any of your guests.

Notes for Guests

Guests are asked to keep mobile phones switched off. Please be aware of other guests when taking photos. No food or drink can be consumed during the ceremony. Children are welcome, but it is worth noting that the ceremony lasts for approximately 90 minutes. We suggest that guests with young children arrive in good time to secure seats near an exit in case they become restless.

Parents with young children will be asked to leave prams and buggies in storage areas as directed by staff. This is to prevent the blocking of fire routes.

Graduation Certificate

You will be given your graduation certificate when you register. Your certificate will be in a polythene pocket. This is a precautionary measure to prevent the certificate being damaged.

During the ceremony you will be presented with an embossed scroll holder in which you can store your certificate for posterity. The certificate includes gold embossing and is printed on high quality archival parchment paper.