Report to the Teaching and Learning Centre. We recommend for graduands to register and collect their robes whilst guests collect guest tickets. You may wish to have professional photography taken before the ceremony however, this will be available till 6pm.
Guest Tickets are required to enter the cathedral. Any belongings not required by the graduand, should be given to guests (if smaller than A4 size) before reporting to the Great Hall to be put in processional order. Any luggage larger than A4 size must be stored at Left Luggage in the Cathedral.
Guests without a ticket can watch the ceremony via the Live Stream in the Teaching and Learning Centre. Alternatively, it is available through our website to join for family/ friends who are unable to be there on the day. See our Live Streaming page for more information.
Two Congregation Information Points for general enquiries are available during Winter Congregation. One will be located in the Teaching and Learning Centre and the other is on Palace Green outside the Music Department.
Graduands report for the procession 1 hour and 15 minutes before the ceremony to be put into procession order. Guests are not permitted to enter the Castle.
They will process to the Cathedral approximately 30 minutes before the ceremony.
Guests with tickets will be directed from the Information Point on Palace Green, to the Galilee Chapel entrance of the Cathedral, approximately 45 minutes before the ceremony start time. Please be aware there is no shelter available on Palace Green so we recommend enjoying the Congregation Fair in the Teaching and Learning Centre before walking to the Cathedral.
You may have to wait in the Galilee Chapel for a short time until the venue is ready.
On entering the main body of the Cathedral, you will be guided by University Marshals to fill all seats from the front to the back, in the Nave and then in the Side Aisles. The view of the stage in the Side Aisles is restricted due to the Cathedral architecture, however television monitors including subtitles, are installed throughout the Cathedral to enhance the viewing of the ceremony.Guests wishing to sit together must arrive together.
Guests with accessibility who are concerned about walking to the Cathedral can get on the shuttle bus which will be running all day to and from the Teaching and Learning Centre and the Cathedral.
The ceremony lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. The use of cameras and recording devices is not permitted during ceremonies and flash photography is not allowed inside the Cathedral.
The Dean of Durham (or representative) welcomes the University into the Cathedral.
The Vice Chancellor (or representative) will provide a welcome address.
Graduands are called to the stage individually to shake hands with the Presiding Officer. We ask you to applaud each group of students rather than each individual student. The Presiding Officer will then confer the degrees.
Some ceremonies may include the awarding of an Honorary Degree where a speech is given by a member of the University on the recipient's life and achievements. Alternatively, a Celebrant speech may be given to share inspirational words with the graduands.
Graduands then stand for the conferment of awards before the Presiding Officer gives the closing speech.
The Staff Procession will leave, followed by the Graduate Procession and then the guests back onto Palace Green.
You will be guided by University Marshals to exit the Cathedral following the staff and graduate processions. Please ensure you file out row by row for your own health and safety.
The Congregation Fair will be held at the Teaching and Learning Centre with Alumni, catering/ refreshments, University merchandise and photography stalls for students and guests to enjoy before and after the ceremony.
Ceremonies are professionally filmed and photographed with USBs/ photos available to purchase at the Congregation Fair with My Graduation Film.
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