On the day

Find out everything you need to know about what happens on the day of your graduation ceremony.
 
 

Graduations - what to expect

Looking for a sneak peek of what to expect on the day?

Take a whirlwind tour with us and see what happens on the day of your ceremony, from visiting the registration desk and collecting your gown to crossing the stage and getting your official photographs!

We hope you have a fantastic day and we can't wait to see you there to celebrate with you.

Graduations - what to expect
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Here's what to expect at an Edinburgh Napier graduation.

Arrive at the Usher Hall with plenty of time before your ceremony begins. If you're late, you may not be allowed in.

Your first stop is the registration desk. Here you will register and collect your guest tickets. If you've requested additional tickets, our staff will direct you to the additional ticket desk.

Next, head upstairs to collect your academic dress. Our gowning team will provide you with the correct gown and hood and assist with putting them on if needed. It's best to order this in advance and not on the day.

Once you're ready, head into the main hall and find your seat. All guests and graduating students must be seated at least 20 minutes before the ceremony starts. And it's important to sit in the seat allocated to you.

Before the ceremony begins, there'll be a short briefing and perhaps a quick stage photo taken by a photographer. Then it's time to start. After some speeches, it will be time to cross the stage. But don't worry, our staff will be there to guide you. Remember to smile and enjoy your moment.

Once you've crossed the stage, you should return to your seat and remain there until the ceremony ends. Afterwards, you can reunite with family and friends and take photos outside the Usher Hall. If you've booked official photography, remember to plan how to get to the studio venue on time.

The final step will be to return your gown once you're ready to, and then you're officially done. Let the celebrations continue!

Now you know what to expect. We'll see you there very soon.

 
 

Ceremony

The auditorium will open one hour before the start of the ceremony. All guests and graduands (graduating students) must be seated at least 20 minutes prior to the beginning of the ceremony. A short graduations briefing will take place 15 minutes before the ceremony begins.

Processions

The Academic Procession and the Chancellor’s Procession enter the auditorium. The assembly stands for the processions and should remain standing until the Chancellor gives the signal to sit.

The ceremony opens

The Chancellor of the University will declare the ceremony open and deliver his opening address. This will be followed by a vote of thanks from the Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association President.

Any Honorary awards will then be presented to the Chancellor.

The conferment of student awards 

Act of Conferment - The Chancellor confers the awards on graduates who are in the Usher Hall and in absentia for those graduates who are unable to attend.

Vice-Chancellor’s speech from Professor Sue Rigby.

The ceremony ends

The Chancellor’s speech and the Chancellor declares the ceremony closed. The assembly stands as the processions exit the auditorium.

 
 

Breakdown by ceremony

 Activity   11am ceremony   Location 
 Arrival  Doors open to graduands at 8.30am  Usher Hall, Main Foyer 
 Graduand registration   Registration opens at 8.30am and you must be registered by 10.30am at the latest   Usher Hall, Main Foyer
 Graduands collect their academic gown   Opens at 8.30am and you must collect your gown by 10.30am  Usher Hall, Upper Circle 
 Graduation photography  Photography studios will open at 8.30am and close at 6pm  DoubleTree by Hilton (around the corner from the Usher Hall) 
 All guests and students should be seated   Graduands and guests must be seated by 10.40am  Usher Hall, Auditorium
 The graduation ceremony commences  11am  Usher Hall, Auditorium
 The graduation ceremony ends  12.30pm  Usher Hall, Auditorium
 Graduates return their academic gown  Until 6pm  Usher Hall, Box Office or Upper Circle

 

 Activity   3pm ceremony   Location 
 Arrival  Doors open to graduands at 12.30pm  Usher Hall, Main Foyer 
 Graduand registration   Registration opens at 12.30pm and you must be registered by 2.30pm at the latest   Usher Hall, Main Foyer
 Graduands collect their academic gown   Opens at 12.30pm and you must collect your gown by 2.30pm  Usher Hall, Upper Circle 
 Graduation photography  Photography studios will open at 12.30pm and close at 6pm  DoubleTree by Hilton (around the corner from the Usher Hall) 
 All guests and students should be seated   Graduands and guests must be seated by 2.40pm  Usher Hall, Auditorium
 The graduation ceremony commences  3pm  Usher Hall, Auditorium
 The graduation ceremony ends  4.30pm  Usher Hall, Auditorium
 Graduates return their academic gown  Until 6pm  Usher Hall, Box Office or Upper Circle