Frequently Asked Questions:
Your A - Z guide

If you're planning an overnight stay before or after your graduation ceremony, there are a wide range of hotels in the area.

Keep connected with the University after you graduate through your Alumni Relations team. Register now to receive our monthly newsletter which will keep you up to date with the latest news and events at Derby. Plus you’ll receive inspiring career opportunities and information.

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The Career Development Centre gives recent graduates free careers advice and help with interview techniques, CV writing and completion of application forms. This is available for all University of Derby graduates for up to three years after completion of their studies.

The ceremony you'll need to attend is shown on your ticket purchase screen. It is not possible for you to change your ceremony allocation.

We will be issuing certificates to students during the ceremony as you walk across the stage. Students who are not attending ceremonies will get their certificate posted to the home address on our system after the ceremonies. All students will receive a physical and digital copy.

We issue one copy free; if you require additional copies please visit our online shop.

We suggest that small children do not attend the ceremony as it can be a long occasion. However, if you are bringing a child, you will need a guest ticket for those aged 3 and over. Unfortunately, we can't guarantee a separate seat for children under 3. Children must be seated with an adult guest and cannot be seated with the graduate.

Please note: If you or your guests bring children in a pushchair we cannot guarantee space in the venue for pushchairs.

A cloakroom is provided at the arena on the day of the ceremonies, there will be a charge of £1 per coat.

If you want to buy something to remind you of your time at Derby, we'll be selling commemorative items at the arena before and after each ceremony.

A graduation brochure which names graduates eligible to attend is produced. If you don't want your name to appear in the brochure, please email the Graduation team at graduation@derby.ac.uk.

Please help us to meet your requirements by stating clearly when you order your tickets whether you have any disabilities we should be aware of. Disabled parking is available at the Arena, you must display your blue badge. Please note that, because of the nature of the event, we inevitably receive a great number of these requests - the car parking space will usually be a standard size parking space rather than the wider disabled parking bay.

For any graduands with mobility problems, there is a lift to access the stage available at the award ceremony. Please contact the Graduation team at graduation@derby.ac.uk if you have individual requirements or needs and we'll endeavour to help you.

Please wear formal dress (no jeans or casual trousers). The University colours used on the gown hood are mainly light blue and red.

We strongly advise students to hire the formal ceremonial wear (gown and hood), as this adds greatly to the occasion and enjoyment of the day. Almost every graduate will choose to hire a gown. To order the correct gown, you'll need to measure your head circumference, chest and height. You'll also need to know the level and name of your award. Gowns can be hired from Ede & Ravenscroft (Academic Dress) or an alternative supplier that provides University Regulation compliant academic dress.

For gowns purchased with Ede & Ravenscroft, on the days of the Ceremonies, gowns can be collected at Pride Park Stadium prior to your ceremony. Please see on the day schedules for timings. Please remember to bring your confirmation slip with you on the day.

Enquiries should be made directly with Ede & Ravenscroft on +44 (0)1223 861854. To order your gown you'll need your ceremony number as confirmed in your invitation email. Please consult the Awards Ceremony itinerary for times and location of gown collection.

Ede & Ravenscroft Gowning can be returned after your ceremony at the arena by 7.00 pm or at the Pride Park stadium after you've had your photographs taken. If you have not been awarded and not eligible to attend the award ceremonies, Ede & Ravenscroft will refund your hire payment, provided that they receive your claim for refund 7 full days before the date of your ceremony.

You can cancel your order online using the 'Review/Amend/Cancel' option or by emailing student@edeandravenscroft.co.uk

The Honorary Awards are made to individuals carefully selected by the University. Honorands are deemed to have made an outstanding contribution to their field and have a connection to Derbyshire or the University.

Your invitation will be sent to you in May for the Summer ceremonies and in September for the Winter ceremonies. This will be sent to your Unimail and any other active email address we have on record for you, so please make sure we have your up-to-date email address, this can be changed via UDo.

Your invitation will include links to information about the ceremonies and how to obtain tickets.

If you receive an invitation and know that you won't complete your course of study in time then please disregard it, you will be invited to a future ceremony.

If you were expecting an invitation but don't receive one, please email graduation@derby.ac.uk as soon as possible.

If you don't wish to attend your Ceremony, please select the non-attendance option online and confirm your name and address for certificate posting purposes.

Please note if you have an AED or RAC in place which gives you an extension to your coursework hand-in date you'll need to check with your tutor to ascertain if they will be able to mark your work and process your award in time for the ceremonies.

Further information:

 

If you arrive late, you should report to the registration desk at Derby Arena immediately. We may be able to change the ceremony listings so that you can cross the stage at the end of the presentation.

You can purchase photographs directly from the official robe makers for the University, Ede & Ravenscroft, or an alternative supplier that provides University Regulation compliant academic dress.

For photographs purchased with Ede & Ravenscroft, on the days of the Ceremonies, photographers will be located at Pride Park Stadium. Photography at Derby Arena is limited to prize photography and is available on request for graduates and guests with mobility concerns. Photography will be available at the Pride Park stadium until 6.30pm.

If you would like a group photograph of up to six people, please ask for details of this service on the day.

All enquiries should be made directly to Ede & Ravenscroft on +44 (0)1223 861854 or email photography@graduation-services.co.uk.

Our press office is on the lookout for interesting news stories that involve student research and academic success. If you'd like to tell the Press Office at the University about your final year work contact them on 01332 591942 or email pressoffice@derby.ac.uk - you could be our next media star!

Please email graduation@derby.ac.uk for any graduation based queries.

If you have any queries or problems on the day please look for a member of staff in a maroon gown.

All graduates must register their attendance at the Arena, after collecting their gowns at the Pride Park Stadium. The registration desks will close 30 minutes before the start of the ceremony so please ensure you arrive in plenty of time.

If you're arriving late (within 45 minutes of your ceremony start time) please go directly to the registration desks at the Arena. Alternative arrangements for your gown collection will be made.

There will be signs together with coloured balloons/banners to indicate your registration desk.

If you do not register your attendance your name will not be called out for you to cross the stage and you may not be able to take part in the ceremony. 

Students who have purchased tickets but fail to meet the eligibility and attendance criteria will be automatically refunded their ticket purchase after the ceremonies have taken place.

All other refund requests must be made via email to graduation@derby.ac.uk.

Graduands don't have to pay to attend the ceremony. The guest tickets are priced at £15 each. Please refer to your invitation for further details or email graduation@derby.ac.uk.

Tickets will be sent electronically to your email address where you will receive a QR code which will be scanned to tell us how many tickets you have purchased.

Train

Derby Station is located just a short walk away from the venue. We provide a courtesy bus between the Pride Park entrance at the station and the venue before and after the ceremonies.

Buses

The Arriva buses service Park and Ride, 4 and 4A runs from the bus station and takes 8 minutes to a stop a 1 minute walk from the venue.

Car Parking

Car parking is limited at the rear of the Arena, as spaces are reserved for blue badge holders (disabled parking). There is car parking in front of the Arena and at the pride park stadium.

First Sight Media stream our ceremonies live on our website.