- What if I am in debt to the University?
- When will I receive my invitation?
- How many tickets can I purchase?
- How much do the tickets cost?
- Are the tickets refundable?
- When will I receive my tickets?
- What should I do if I or my guests need special seating arrangements?
- When will I receive my certificate?
- Can I attend graduation at a later date?
- Can I change my mind if I have already applied?
- What time should I arrive?
- Can I bring children to the ceremony?
- What is the duration of the ceremony?
- Do I need to wear academic dress?
- How do I hire/purchase academic gowns?
- What do I wear with my gown?
- Will there be official photographers?
- Can I take my own photographs?
- Will my prize be presented at the graduation ceremony?
- Can you recommend a local hotel?
- Is there any form of financial assistance to help with costs of graduation?
What if I am in debt to the University?
You will not be allowed to attend a Graduation Ceremony unless all outstanding debts have been settled by the date in the 'Outstanding debts payment deadline' box on the right.
When will I receive my invitation?
Undergraduates: You will receive an email invitation on the date in the 'Invitation distribution date' box on the right.
Postgraduates: an invitation will be sent to your home address on the date in the 'Invitation distribution date' box on the right.
You will be asked to log into your Sussex Direct account where you may confirm attendance at your ceremony and purchase your guest tickets.
How many tickets can I purchase?
When you book your place at graduation you will be able to purchase 10 guest tickets - you can purchase more guest tickets from December 2013 when spare tickets go on sale via your Sussex Direct account on a first come first served basis.
Child tickets are free of charge for children 12 years of age and under (but are included towards the total number of guest tickets); no ticket is required for children under two years of age as they will be sitting on their carer’s lap. Child tickets cannot be ordered on line, please email graduation@sussex.ac.uk to order child tickets.
Once we have received responses from all students invited to graduation, any spare tickets will go on sale. The spare guest tickets will be on sale from the date in the 'Spare ticket reallocation date' box on the right. Again, these can be ordered via the graduation online system via your Sussex Direct account.
How much do the tickets cost?
Graduand (student) tickets are free. Guest tickets cost £25 each and include a free programme and an invitation to a celebratory reception. Child tickets are free of charge for children 12 years of age and under (but are included towards the total number of guest tickets); no ticket is required for children under two years of age as they will be sitting on their carer’s lap. Child tickets cannot be ordered on line, please email graduation@sussex.ac.uk to order child tickets.
Are tickets refundable?
Refunds on guest tickets are available until the date in the 'Ticket refund cut-off date' box on the right, only by contacting your University contact for a refund. If you do not meet the criteria for your award in time for you to attend graduation, your money will be refunded automatically.
When will I receive my tickets?
Tickets are collected on the day from the ticket desk at the Brighton Dome. They are not sent in advance.
What should I do if I (or my guests) have a disability or access requirements?
We are committed to making the graduation ceremonies as inclusive as possible.
Please indicate when booking your tickets what you or your guests require to participate fully in this event eg wheelchair access or sign language interpreter. Please note that there are steps down from the stage which graduands would normally descend. If you have any queries about this, please telephone Tom Furnival-Adams on +44 (0)1273 877015.
Note: Due to limited wheelchair seating available in the Dome we can only arrange this for you if we are informed in advance.
When will I receive my certificate?
You will receive your certificate at your graduation ceremony if you are attending in person. Those who have confirmed their non attendance and their postal address, will be sent their certificate by recorded delivery the week after graduation. All certificates are sent by Recorded Delivery so you will need to sign for it.
Can I graduate at a later date?
If you wish to attend graduation in person but are unable to attend your ceremony, you may be able to defer your attendance to the next graduation. Please email the graduation office with your request: graduation@sussex.ac.uk
Can I change my mind if I have already applied?
Once you have replied, you will be unable to change your application status online. Please email graduation@sussex.ac.uk and we can arrange this for you.
What time should I arrive?
Please arrive at least one hour before the start time of your ceremony to register your attendance and for collecting your tickets, collecting your gown and having your photograph taken. You must be seated at least 20 minutes before your ceremony starts in order for staff to undertake appropriate checks before the ceremony begins.
Can I bring children to the ceremony?
It is possible to bring children to the graduation ceremony however because of the nature of the ceremony and the length (approximately 2 hours) we would consider it not suitable for children.
Children aged over two must have their own ticket. Child tickets are free of charge for children 12 years of age and under (but are included towards the total number of guest tickets); no ticket is required for children under two years of age as they will be sitting on their carer’s lap. Child tickets cannot be ordered online so please email graduation@sussex.ac.uk if you wish to order child tickets.
If you have a child who is in either a buggy or a baby carrier, please let us know as we have special designated areas for buggies and carriers, and spaces are limited. Please remember to book a space prior to your ceremony, otherwise we cannot guarantee to find a suitable space on the day.
What is the duration of each ceremony?
Each Ceremony lasts for approximately 2 hours. The ceremony is followed by a drinks reception. The morning ceremony followed by the drinks reception is over by 1.15 pm. The afternoon ceremony followed by the drinks reception is over by 6.30 pm (5.30 pm for the Tuesday ceremony).
Do I need to wear academic dress?
Yes. If you wish to receive your degree in person you will be required to wear full academic dress (at the ceremony).
How do I hire or purchase my gown?
Academic dress, should be hired on line through the website of gown hire company, Ede & Ravenscroft Ltd or by telephone 01223 861854. Opening hours are 9.00 am - 5.00 pm Monday to Friday. Facilities for the deaf and hard of hearing or those with speech impairment are available using your text phone - dial 1800101223861854 to access the RNID Typetalk system.
Overseas students who do not have access to a computer should either call the above number or the information line for details of how to order (24hr line) 01223 440949.
When ordering your gown from Ede & Ravenscroft Ltd, please print off your order confirmation and bring this along with you on the day. This form confirms your order number and hire reference number.
Gown orders made via the telephone will be sent a confirmation card, please bring this with you on the day.
Further information on gowns can be found at Gown hire.
What do I wear with my gown?
The correct form of dress to accompany an academic gown is for men a dark suit or smart dark trousers, collar and tie with smart shoes. For women a dark suit, skirt or trousers with a white blouse, or a dark dress with smart shoes. Alternatively national dress may be worn with the academic gown.
Please note the University reserves the right to refuse to allow a student to graduate in person if, in the opinion of senior management, inappropriate clothing is being worn, which (in their opinion) may offend other graduands and guests (eg beach wear).
Will there be a professional photographer at the Brighton Dome?
Yes. Our official photographers, Ede & Ravenscroft, will have studios set up in the Pavilion Theatre (part of the Dome complex). Details of our official photographers’ arrangements can be found on the Ede & Ravenscroft website.
Studio opening times
The photography studios will be open two hours before the start of your ceremony. If you are attending the morning ceremony you can come back at 3.30 pm (whilst the afternoon ceremony is taking place) to have your professional photographs taken if you wish.
Can I take my own photographs?
Yes, you can take your own photographs within the Dome complex including the auditorium. However, we would kindly ask that guests do not move around the auditorium during the ceremony.
Will my prize be presented at the graduation ceremony?
Graduation prizes will be announced at the same time as the award is announced. We do not hand out any prizes on the day; these will be issued separately by the awarding body eg Chair of the Examination Board.
Can you recommend a suitable local hotel?
The University of Sussex has an approved hotels and guest houses list in the Brighton & Hove area.
Is there any form of financial assistance to help with costs of graduation?
Yes, students with financial difficulties can apply for a grant to help cover the costs for 2 guest tickets, gown hire and a photography package.
Please click on the link below for the application form and return to Student LIfe Centre. Financial Assistance Application Form