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Frequently Asked Questions
www.bucks.ac.uk/graduation
Venues, dates and times
When are the ceremonies?
Date
Monday 7
September
Tuesday 8
September
Time
Ceremony
am
No ceremony
2.30pm
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11am
2
Department of Music & Event Management
Department of Security, Resilience & Computing
2.30pm
3
School of Media Production & Performance
11am
4
Department of Business & Management
2.30pm
5
Department of Travel & Aviation
Department of Sports Management
Department of Law
11am
6
Department of Applied Education
Department of Community Care & Public Health
Department of Social Work & Integrated Care
2.30pm
7
Department of Psychology
Department of Criminal Justice & Social Studies
11am
8
School of Advanced and Continuing Professional
Development
School of Pre-qualifying Nursing & Vocational Health
Care (February 12 cohort only)
2.30pm
9
School of Pre-qualifying Nursing & Vocational Health
Care
Wednesday 9
September
Thursday 10
September
School/group of courses
Friday 11
September
School of Design, Craft & Visual Arts
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Where are the ceremonies held?
The Wycombe Swan theatre in High Wycombe - wycombeswan.co.uk.
How long will the ceremony last?
Approximately one and a half hours.
Registration
When should I expect to receive my invitation to graduation?
You should have received your invitation during the Easter break and it will have been
sent to your home address. For graduands whose home address is overseas but have a
UK term time address, their invitations were sent to the UK registered address. If you
are eligible to graduate this year and have not received your postcard, don’t panic. You
can still register.
How do I register my attendance and book my guest tickets?
Go to https://store.bucks.ac.uk/graduation.
When do I need to register by?
Register your attendance or non attendance online
by midnight 9 August 2015
Book your Guest tickets
by midnight 9 August 2015
Additional tickets (if available from 10 August)
by midnight 23 August 2015
I am not going to attend graduation so do I still need to register?
Yes. You do need to register your non attendance as ‘in absentia’ so the University can
arrange to send your certificate to you.
Can I register but pay for my guest tickets later?
Yes. You need to register immediately. You can always go back into your registration at
a later time to purchase your guest tickets (subject to availability).
I don’t have my results yet; should I wait until I receive them before I register
and purchase my guest tickets?
No. You are strongly advised to register and book your guest tickets as soon as possible.
Do not wait for your results.
Tickets and Guests
How much are the tickets?
Graduands do not pay for their tickets. Guest tickets cost £20 for adults and £10 for
children. Tickets for children under two are free but require a lap seat ticket. The Swan
Theatre will not allow anyone to enter the auditorium without a ticket, so it is important
that you remember to book a lap seat ticket if required.
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What does the price include?
The price covers entrance to the ceremony in the Swan Theatre, the programme and
post ceremony reception refreshments.
How many guests am I allowed to bring?
You are initially allowed to book up to three guest tickets (subject to availability).
How do I book additional guest tickets?
Additional tickets, if available, will be released for sale on 10 August 2015 and will be
limited to another three guests per student.
Can I reserve guest tickets and pay for them later?
No. Tickets have to be paid for at the time of booking.
How can I change my booking?
You can go back into your registration at anytime to make amendments.
How am I notified that my registration and purchases have been accepted?
You will be sent a confirmation email including the date and time of your award
ceremony.
Are tickets refundable?
In the majority of cases tickets are refundable if requested by Friday 28 August 2015.
Refunds cannot be made after this date except in exceptional circumstances.
Please email graduation@bucks.ac.uk with your full details. Should your award not be
confirmed by the Board of Examiners, you will be refunded for any guest tickets
purchased.
When will I receive my tickets?
Your tickets will be given to you when you register in the Green Room, the Gateway on
the day of your ceremony. We do not send out tickets in advance.
What if I or one of my guests has a special access requirement?
At the time of booking you will be asked if you or your guests have any access
requirements to enable us to provide appropriate seats. The University will make every
effort to reasonably accommodate you or your guests.
How do I get a visa letter for my guests or myself if coming from abroad?
You will be able to download a visa letter request form from your confirmation email. For
further details please see the overseas visitors and visa letters section of our website.
Can children attend?
Children are welcome to attend the ceremonies but please note due to the length and
formal nature of the ceremonies very young children may become restless. We ask
parents/carers to take any disruptive children out of the auditorium so not to disturb the
audience. A live screening area will be made available in the downstairs foyer of the
theatre for those who have come out of the auditorium.
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Gown hire
How do I order my FREE gown, hood and mortarboard?
You will be directed to book your gown hire after you have registered or you can contact
Ede & Ravenscroft directly at gownhire.co.uk. Alternatively call 01223 861 854.
Please ensure you book your gown no less than three weeks before your
ceremony.
Where is the collection and drop off point for the gowns?
You will be gowned in the Drama Studio, the Gateway and will return your gown to
Studio 2, the Gateway. Please note gowns must be returned by 5.30pm on the day of
your ceremony.
What if I order the wrong gown?
When placing your order the website automatically selects the correct gown, hood and
mortarboard when you identify the award you have studied for. If you have any queries
please contact Ede & Ravenscroft directly.
What should I wear under my gown?
It is expected that you will dress appropriately and smartly for the occasion. For comfort
and practicality we recommend you wear a top or shirt with buttons as it makes it easier
to attach the award ‘hood’. Strapless tops or dresses are not suitable. It is advisable to
wear smart but comfortable footwear. Hair grips and safety pins are often required so if
you think you will need them please bring them with you. The University retains the
right to refuse Graduands entrance to the ceremony if it is considered they are
inappropriately dressed.
Professional Photography
How do I pre-book the photography?
You will be directed to pre-booking your photography when you have registered you can
contact Ede & Ravenscroft directly at gownhire.co.uk. Alternatively call 01223 861 854.
Where and when will the photos be taken?
The Events Hall, the Gateway. The photographers will be there all day but we
recommend that you arrive early and have your photographs taken before your
ceremony.
What if I haven’t pre-booked; can I still have an official photo taken?
Yes, just go to the Events Hall, there may be queues so it is advisable to pre-order.
Can I purchase an additional certificate?
Yes. You will be able to order and pay for additional certificates when you register
online.
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Can I buy any Graduation merchandise?
Yes, the Students’ Union offers a range of Graduation clothing and Bucks merchandise
either online www.bucksstudentsunion.org/graduationclothing. or on the day in the Events
Hall.
Eligibility
Am I eligible to graduate?
If you are in your final year of study then you are generally eligible to graduate. If you
are unsure please contact your school registrar.
Can I attend if I have been referred?
No. If you have not been made an award at a Board of Examiners you will not be able
to graduate. In this event, a refund for guest tickets will be made. You will be invited to
the next scheduled graduation event on successful completion of your course.
Can I attend if I have an appeal in progress or am being investigated for
academic misconduct?
No. Until your appeal or investigation has been completed you cannot attend your
ceremony to graduate. You can attend as the guest of someone else who is graduating.
Debt
If I have a debt to the University what do I need to do?
It is your responsibility to ensure that you talk to the finance department about any
outstanding payments. Please ring the Student Centre on 01494 603 020 or the Finance
department on 01494 605 083 to find out more about your account and to seek advice.
Alternatively you can email thestudentcentre@bucks.ac.uk.
If you do have a debt you will alerted to it when you register for graduation. You are
advised to clear any outstanding debts via https://epayment.bucks.ac.uk/ as soon as
you can.
If you have not cleared your debt to the University you can still attend graduation but
your certificate will not be in the folder presented to you.
Please note it takes several working days to process payments, so if you pay your debt
in the run-up to the graduation ceremony, your certificate may not be in the folder at
the ceremony. If this is the case, please follow instructions in the letter in the folder and
in all cases visit the Student Centre.
Travelling to Bucks, Car parking and Accommodation
How do I get to the High Wycombe Campus?
http://bucks.ac.uk/visiting_us/travel_information/
Is there any parking?
There is no parking on campus but there are several public car parks nearby.
http://www.wycombeparkandride.com/
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What hotel accommodation is there in High Wycombe?
http://bucks.ac.uk/visiting_us/local_accommodation
Hughenden Park Student Village
If you and your family are attending your graduation and wish to stay in High Wycombe
overnight, you can book accommodation at the Hughenden Park Student Village.
For bookings, enquires and information call 01494 603063 or email accom@bucks.ac.uk
after 29 June 2015.
Please see the Graduation website for more details.
On the day
How early must I arrive?
We recommend you arrive two hours before your ceremony is due to start. If you are
running late please phone the University switchboard on 01494 522141, the team will be
able to advise you.
What do I need to do when I arrive?
You must go to the registration desk in the Green Room in the Gateway to check in and
collect your tickets. The registration desk will open at 9.00am for the 11am ceremony
and 12pm for the 2.30pm ceremony. You will then be directed to the gowning and
photography areas.
What happens if I don’t register or I arrive late?
If you have not registered half an hour before the ceremony starts we will assume you
are not coming and will remove you from the ceremony list.
What happens if my guests arrive late?
If you have arrived but your guests are late, you can leave their tickets with the
Graduation help desk in the Wycombe Swan theatre. The University reserves the right to
refuse entry to latecomers, students or guests.
Where do my guests need to go?
Guests will not be allowed in the registration or gowning areas but once you have
registered and gowned they can accompany you to the Events Hall for the official
photographs. Beats and Rusty Bucks will be open for guests to wait in and buy
refreshments. Announcements will be made for guests to proceed to the Wycombe Swan
theatre in time for the start of the ceremony.
What time will the Wycombe Swan theatre open?
The theatre opens at 9.30am and their café and bar are also open for refreshments at
this time. The auditorium will open approximately 40 minutes before the ceremony for
graduands. The theatre will announce when it is time for guests to take their seats.
Will I be seated with my guests?
No. All graduands are seated together in the stalls, in presentation order. Your guests
will be seated elsewhere in the auditorium.
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My guests don’t want to sit together; can this be arranged?
Please let us know and we will try to arrange suitable seating.
Can my guests use cameras and camcorders in the theatre?
Yes, they may take photos as long as they do not disturb the other guests.
What happens during the ceremony?
For full details please refer to ‘the ceremony’ on the graduation pages of the website.
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University staff and dignitaries process on to the stage.
The Vice Chancellor gives her opening address and then the graduands are presented
to her. Your name is read out and you will walk across the stage to shake hands with
the Vice Chancellor.
At some ceremonies, an award will be made to an honorary graduate of the
University.
The guest speaker or the honorary awardee makes a speech.
A closing speech is given by a representative from the Faculty.
The ceremony closes with the staff and dignitaries processing off the stage.
When do I receive my certificate?
Once you have descended from the stage following your presentation to the Vice
Chancellor, a member of your faculty will hand you your certificate in a presentation
folder. If your certificate has been previously issued or you have an outstanding debt to
the University, the folder will contain a letter. Please return to your seat before checking
your certificate. Faculty staff will deal with any query you may have after the ceremony.
Student Prizes
I have been nominated for a prize. What do I need to do?
A number of student prizes will be made to students during the ceremonies. If you are the
recipient of an additional award at Graduation you would have been notified in writing
approximately four weeks before the ceremony. The Faculty prizes will be announced
at the same time as you are presented to the Vice Chancellor. If you are to receive a
special prize at the ceremony, a member of staff will guide and advise you as to what
will happen during the ceremony when you register in the Green Room, the Gateway.
After the ceremony
Where is the post ceremony reception?
The post-ceremony reception will be held in the marquee on the High Wycombe Campus
where drinks and canapés will be served. Ushers will be on campus to direct you and
your guests.
Are there any other celebrations?
The Students’ Union also hosts graduation parties every evening during graduation
week. For more information, please visit: www.bucksstudentsunion.org
Is there a DVD of the Graduation ceremony available?
NO. We will be filming the ceremonies to view at a later date on the Graduation website.
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Who do I contact if I can’t find an answer to my query?
Graduation enquiries
Graduation team
Gown hire and Pre-order Photography
graduation@bucks.ac.uk
Twitter:#bucksgraduation
Graduation Team 01494 603091
Ede & Ravenscroft
gownhire.co.uk 01223 861 854
For all enquiries relating specifically to your course or exam board please
contact your school registrar.
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