Your Graduation Day

Timings on the Day 

When you arrive

On the day of your graduation students are advised to arrive approximately 1½ hours before the congregation.

As a graduating student when you arrive you will need to make your way to the arena, where you will register (confirm that you've arrived) and receive a registration card. You must register at least 45 minutes before your congregation. 

You will then collect your robes and make your way to the auditorium to take your seats for the congregation. You must be seated 15 minutes before your congregation start time to ensure your participation in the congregation. Doors to the auditorium will open approximately 30 minutes before the congregation. 

Graduands should leave all personal belongings with their guests before taking their seats in the hall; graduands will only require their registration card. Graduands must sit in their numbered seat; the number will be clearly shown on your registration card. 

Guests will be able to enter the auditorium 30 minutes before the start of the congregation. All guest seating will be unallocated. Entry to the hall will not be permitted before this time.

The whole event will be clearly signposted and ushers will be on hand to assist you. 

During the congregation

During the congregation, graduates will sit in the seat number shown on their registration card, which they will receive on the day when they arrive and register.

Graduands should leave all personal belongings with their guests before taking their seats in the hall; graduands will only require their registration card.

A marshal will instruct the graduates when to leave their seats. You will then be directed to the stage door.

When your name is called out you will cross the stage, doff your cap to the Chancellor or Vice-Chancellor and then continue to the centre of the stage and down the steps to return to your seat. 

After the congregation

Your academic robes can be worn throughout the day but must be returned by the time shown above.

Following each congregation you can continue your celebrations at the Graduation Village.  

If you are unable to attend your congregation due to unforeseen circumstances please let us know at your earliest convenience.

Undergraduate students who appear in the congregation brochure and do not attend will graduate in absentia.  Please note that deferments are not usually granted, apart from in exceptional circumstances. 

Guests

You will be able to enter the hall approximately 30 minutes before the congregation start time and MUST be seated no later than 15 minutes before the congregation commences.  Ushers will be on hand to direct you accordingly.

The congregation is likely to last approximately 1½ to 2 hours and, therefore, it may be unsuitable for small children or babies.  

If you or any member of your party has any disabilities or mobility issues please inform us in advance of your congregation so that we can reserve appropriate seating, Contact The Graduation Team. Ushers will be on hand to assist guests with special requirements. 

Following the congregation, you are politely asked to vacate the hall in order for staff to prepare for the next congregation. You may wish to have photographs taken, or make your way to the Graduation Village.

View and download past and present graduation brochures 

Official Photographs

An official photographer from Ede and Ravenscroft will be available at all congregations. 

The company offers many different bundles of photographs, including photographs with family and individual photos of the graduate.

Please visit Ede and Ravenscroft for further information on the bundles available and prices.

Photographs can be pre-ordered or ordered on the day in the photography sales area, which will be clearly signposted on the day. 

On-Stage Photo, DVD and USB Stick

All students will be able to purchase a printed photograph of their time on stage with the Chancellor or the Vice-Chancellor on the day of their congregation, along with a DVD or USB stick (in HD) of their whole congregation.  

These can be purchased in-person on your graduation day at the arena, or by emailing gradsales@swansea.ac.uk / telephoning 01792 987097.  Please note that the payment method is card only.  If collecting in-person, a 5p bag charge will be applied, the proceeds of which will be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.  

If you have placed an order for your on-stage photo, DVD or USB and are unable to collect in person, please note that the following postage charges will apply (UK postage only – all items sent first class):

Graduation Package:              £3.85

On-Stage Photograph:            £3.85

USB or DVD:                          85p

Additional Graduation photos will also be posted on the University Flickr albums

Students, guests and staff attending graduation should be aware that degree and award congregations are regarded as public events. 

Names and awards (including those receiving their award in absentia) are published in the programme. 

Audio and visual images of the congregation are publicly available via a live webcast, social media and the sale of DVDs of the congregation. 

By confirming your attendance at the ceremony, attendees hereby give Swansea University the right to print their name and award in the programme publication. Attendees and their guests also give Swansea University the right to use video recording(s), sound recording(s), photograph(s) and any content/copy/quotes generated for use in any productions where Swansea University may wish to use the material(s) for marketing and publicity, trade promotion.   

In accordance with the General Data Protection Legislation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 the material will be used solely for the promotion or benefit of Swansea University. 

Materials can remain in the public domain for an indefinite period of time and may be used for educational and/or marketing purposes. They may require editing for quality or technical purposes and will be stored securely by the University or its agents. 

Material(s) will be the copyright of Swansea University and may be used as is or in conjunction with other material(s), as part of a composite production. 

Note to those not attending (receiving award in absentia): if you object to the publication of your personal data in the programme (name and award), please inform the Graduation Office.

All ceremonies will be broadcasted live on our website at http://www.swansea.ac.uk/graduation/  and can be watched via the internet.

The live feed screen will appear automatically at the beginning of each ceremony.  There will be no live feed facility available at the event.

If you want to purchase a recording of the whole ceremony in DVD or USB format, please see the information above (Official Photography and DVDs)

Graduation merchandise is available from Fulton Outfitters: www.fultonoutfitters.co.uk 

GRADUATION TRAVEL AND PARKING ARRANGEMENTS

The Fabian Way Park and Ride site will be open and available for parking with a free accessible shuttle bus service running to the Arena throughout the day.  Details including costs to park (currently £1 per car) and location of site can be found here.

Dedicated graduation shuttle buses will run throughout the day to take students and their guests between the campus, recreation ground and the Arena.  The shuttle buses will be free of charge and are fully accessible and COVID compliant.  Please click here for the shuttle bus timetable.

If you would prefer to park in one of the City Centre car parks run by the City and County of Swansea,  these are non-bookable in advance,  however there are a number of multi storey and surface car parks available within a short walk of the Arena, details of which can be found here.

University staff will be on hand at each venue (with the exception of the City Centre car parks) to ensure that everyone gets to their graduation on time. 

Additionally, First Cymru will operate their regular services between Swansea Railway station and the City Centre bus station; from here it is a short walk to the Arena.  Normal charges will apply to use the First Cymru public service buses.  We recommend you purchase a Plus bus ticket and/or purchase tickets in advance.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

If you are arriving by public transport, Swansea Railway Station is on the main West coast line from London Paddington, approximately 3 hours away.

Visitors arriving by train are advised to take a bus to Swansea Bus Station from directly outside the railway station.  First Cymru buses will operate to Swansea Bus Station.   

Please click visit Traveline Cymru to access a bus and rail travel journey planner.