On the day

What to expect on your graduation day

There’s a lot involved in making your graduation day one to remember. Here’s what you need to know to make sure you’re in the right place at the right time.

Remind yourself of the ceremony dates and times here.

Important - download the Ceremony Passport app for your graduation!

The Ceremony Passport app offers seamless access to your tickets, gown hire and photography orders, as well as useful checklists for on the day. View all official photography featuring you and watch a clip of your moment on stage. Ensure you download the app ahead of your graduation day and have your QR codes at the ready.

Search for Ede & Ravenscroft Ceremony Passport – available for both Apple and Android devices.

Make signing in on the day quick and painless. Download the Ceremony Passport app to load up your e-tickets and gown hire information.
Do you have your Student ID or another form of photo ID?
Make sure you leave plenty of time for your journey. You need to arrive on campus at least two hours before your ceremony start time, so you have enough time to sign in, collect your gown and, most importantly, relax before the big moment!

Graduation takes place on Penryn Campus. You can find information about getting there on our website.
There are over 2000 car parking spaces on Penryn Campus, and parking will be free for the duration of graduation. You’ll be directed to a space on the day. Dedicated parking for holders of special permits and blue badges will be available, but please notify the graduation team of this in advance (graduation@falmouth.ac.uk).
Golf buggies will also be provided to get around campus for people who may have difficulty walking.

Once you have parked, you will need to sign in at the Registration Desk in the Exchange Courtyard. You will not receive physical tickets beforehand. Instead you can access your e-tickets on the Ceremony Passport app.
You will need to bring your student ID or another other photo ID to prove who you are.
Once you have signed in, you will be shown where to collect your graduation gown, if hiring from Ede & Ravenscroft.
Remember, anyone not wearing their appropriate academic robes will not be able to attend their graduation ceremony. Cultural and traditional dress is permitted under your gown.

This will take place in the Exchange Courtyard Marquee on Penryn Campus. Once you have signed in and collected your gown, you and your guests can enjoy food, drinks, and garden games while you wait for doors to the Ceremony Hall to open.

Doors to the Ceremony Hall open one hour before your ceremony start time and close 15 minutes before. Please make sure you and your guests arrive promptly as anyone arriving after this time will not be allowed to enter the hall.
Graduands should leave all their belongings with their guests, including mobile phones.
Please note that bag searches will be conducted upon entry to the ceremony.
Anyone who has requested special seat reservations for their guests must make themselves known to the ushers on the door so they can be seated appropriately.
Guests are seated separately from graduands.

The congregation will stand as the procession makes its way to the stage in the Hall. Initial speeches will then be delivered.
During the ceremony, at the appropriate moment you'll be called to move towards the stage by an usher in the order that names will be called.
When your name is called, you'll make your way across the stage, where you’ll be handed your commemorative chocolate gold coin (known as the Dawn Dubloon) from our Chancellor Dawn French, and then proceed to leave the stage before returning to your seat.
Make sure you cheer and celebrate when your friends cross the stage.
The ceremony will conclude with a speech from our Chancellor, Dawn French.
If you leave the hall during the ceremony, you may not be allowed to re-enter straight away, until an appropriate moment between speeches. 
We have zero tolerance for bad behaviour, and you will be removed by security if your behaviour is deemed inappropriate. 
Guests are allowed to take photographs during the ceremony.

Straight after the ceremony you will be taken as a group for the department photograph with senior academics and the Falmouth University Chancellor, Dawn French.
Meanwhile guests will be escorted to the Italian Gardens to begin the reception, where there will be food and drink available and the opportunity to purchase official photography.

Further information

Live streaming

If your guests are unable to attend the ceremony in the Hall, or do not wish to watch from the Hall, we have venues on campus where guests will be able to watch the ceremonies live. Staff will direct you to those venues on the day. The ceremony will also be livestreamed to the Falmouth University YouTube channel.  

Official photography

Formal portrait photography is in the Fashion & Textiles Institute, opposite the robing area. There is also the opportunity to buy photographs of your onstage moment and the department photograph. You can view these photographs within the Ceremony Passport app.

Accessibility and special requirements

You must inform us in advance of any accessibility requirements you have for graduation. You must also inform us if you have a known-as/preferred name that you would like to be read out and included in the brochure. Please email graduation@falmouth.ac.uk if you have any queries.

For those needing a lift around campus, look out for our Assistance Buggies, sponsored by Falmouth Golf Club. They will be stopping to assist graduates and guests between the pre-ceremony area (Exchange Courtyard), the Ceremony Hall (Sports Centre), and the reception in the Italian Gardens. Please speak to a member of staff or one of our friendly student ambassadors in yellow if you need assistance.

Quiet Spaces are available in the Exchange Courtyard and the Ceremony Hall medical room if required.

First Aid

The First Aid team are located adjacent to the Sports Centre (Ceremony Hall). If you find you require first aid assistance, please tell the nearest member of staff, who will contact them for you.

Dogs on campus

Please do not bring your dog or any other pets to campus during graduation, unless it is an assistance dog. You will be asked to remove the animal from the event if you do.

Certificates and transcripts

Certificates are posted out to all students in August. Please confirm your address and contact details in MyFalmouth.

Food and drink

There will be food and drinks available to purchase across campus, as well as several bars and retail outlets. Post-ceremony there is a bar and snack area as well as ice cream available.

Top tips

Please be aware that the campus is extremely hilly. Check out the route and make sure you are comfortable walking it before you strap on the high heels! Golf buggies will be available for those who have difficulty walking.  
If you have long hair, bring some hair pins with you to help keep your hat is place. 
Penryn Campus is cashless and there are no ATMs on site. 
Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water – graduation can get hot!