Graduation day is a special day for university students. It’s a day to celebrate all the hard work that’s led to your academic achievement and marks the end of your university journey (for now, at least!).
To make sure you get the most out of your day, it’s important to be prepared. In this blog, we talk you through what happens on graduation day at Teesside University, so you know what to expect when you join us for graduation in July!
Registration
When you get to campus, head over to the registration tent in Campus Heart to collect your wristband. You won’t be able to collect your gown without this, so make sure you do this early. Just show your ticket to one of the team and they’ll do the rest! Make sure you hang on to your wristband as you’ll need it to get into your graduation ceremony.
Academic dress collection
Ok, let’s get you in your gown! You’ll be able to collect your pre-booked academic dress from the Students’ Union around two hours before your ceremony begins, so you’ll have plenty of time to take some pictures with your loved ones and course mates beforehand.
Order your academic dress as soon as your results are confirmed. Ede and Ravenscroft can’t guarantee orders placed later than 21 days before your ceremony, so it’s important to book it quickly!
Don’t worry if you’re not sure exactly how to wear your academic dress. There’ll be a friendly team on hand to help you put your gown on and make sure you’re wearing it correctly.
Strike a pose!
So, you’re in your academic dress and looking fabulous! You’ve worked so hard for this moment and it’s finally here. By this point, you should have a good amount of time to spare before your ceremony, so use it wisely and snap some pictures with your loved ones! There’s plenty of ‘Instagrammable’ spots on campus to use as your backdrop, so take your pick and capture a moment in time that you’ll remember forever.
If you’d like a professional portrait, Marston Events will be in the Student Life Building ready to take your official graduation picture. You can pre-book this, but you can also just walk in on the day – just follow the signs and a member of the team will be happy to assist.
If you do share any pictures on social media, remember to tag Teesside University and use the hashtag #TUGrad!
Ceremony time…
The moment has finally arrived! Doors open at the Olympia building around 45 minutes before your ceremony to give yourself plenty of time to get seated. You’ll be welcomed into the building by our friendly events team who’ll want to see your wristband, and will help you find your seat.
Your ceremony will last approximately 60-90 minutes, depending on the number of graduates and whether an honorary graduate is receiving an award.
Live streaming
You can reserve up to four tickets for loved ones to join you in the ceremony hall as you graduate, but it’s important to note that we can only guarantee two. We understand that you may have more friends and family that want to cheer you on as you cross the stage, so there’s a few options…
The good news is we live stream your graduation ceremony which is displayed around campus. You can watch it on the big screen in Campus Heart and in the Students’ Union Love it Lounge.
Those who aren’t able to attend in person can access the live stream from our Graduation webpage and all ceremonies will later be uploaded to our YouTube channel.
Celebrate good times!
It’s time to enjoy the rest of your day, reflecting on the hard work and dedication that’s got you here. After your ceremony, head to the marquee in Campus Heart where you can grab a celebratory drink and light bites and snap a few more pics.
You’re welcome to continue the celebrations with us in Campus Heart, but you may want to find a nice spot in Middlesbrough for a sit-down meal or drinks. From fine dining to independent bars and bistros, we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing somewhere to suit your requirements. Have a browse on We are Middlesbrough’s webpage to get inspired and make a booking in advance.
Academic dress return
Don’t forget! You’ll need to return your gown by 6.00pm on the same day as your graduation ceremony. You can drop your academic dress off where you collected it in the Students’ Union.
We hope this blog helps you to feel more prepared for your graduation, but if you still have questions, you’ll find lots of helpful answers on our Graduation webpage.
We hope you’re looking forward to your graduation as much as we are. We can’t wait to celebrate with you! 🎓🎉