Accommodation
There are plenty of hotels and guest houses in the area if you wish to stay overnight - we recommend you book well in advance. For more information contact Buxton Tourist Information Centre or give them a call at 01298 25106.
Additional tickets
Each student is allocated guest tickets, allocation is provided on your invitation. You can register an interest in additional tickets when you respond to your invitation - simply ensure that you enter the number of tickets you're interested in purchasing in the box on the ticket ordering form. We strongly recommend that you don't pay for travel and accommodation for people that you have not secured tickets for. We won't admit anyone without a ticket to the ceremony.
If you've registered an interest in extra tickets you'll be contacted by email to advise you of any availability we may have once the ticket deadline has passed.
Alumni
Keep connected with the University after you graduate through your Alumni Relations team. Register to receive our seasonal 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.
Careers
Our Careers and Employment Service gives recent graduates free career 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 the completion of their studies.
Children
We suggest that small children don't attend the ceremony as it's a formal occasion and they can become restless. If you're bringing a child, you'll need a guest ticket for those aged three and over. Children under three can be accommodated on an adult's knee. There are no concessionary tickets available.
Commemorative items
A range of commemorative items will be available for sale before and after the ceremony.
Commemorative programme
We produce a programme for the day which includes the names of all the graduands.
Graduands can request that their name be withheld from these items by emailing us by the ticket deadline at graduation@derby.ac.uk.
Contact us
You can contact the Awards Ceremony team at graduation@derby.ac.uk.
Disabilities
If you have any special needs or disabilities we will endeavour to make arrangements to accommodate them. We can arrange on-campus car parking for blue badge holders. Please email us at graduation@derby.ac.uk to discuss any requirements you may have.
Dress code
We request that you and your guests dress smartly. It is suggested that graduands wear a front buttoning blouse, shirt or jacket so the hood of the gown can be easily attached. The gowns are predominantly black and trimmed in light blue and red.
Web streaming
On the day, we will be streaming the ceremony live via our website.
Gowns
Wearing a gown is not compulsory. However, most graduands do decide to hire academic dress as they feel it adds to the sense of occasion. These items are available to hire from Ede and Ravenscroft. Please ensure you have your head circumference, chest and height measurements available when you place an order. In addition, you'll need to supply them with your student number and they'll ensure you are allocated the correct gown for the level of your award (eg BA (Hons) Hospitality Management or MA Tourism).
Online orders benefit from an automatic discount applied at the point of purchase. You can hire on the day but will be charged a premium price for this.
Order your gown
Invitations
The invitations are 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. Please check your spam folder if you've not received your invitation.
You'll receive full information about the ceremony and how to obtain tickets. Please ensure you read your invitation carefully and click on the links for additional information.
You'll need to respond to your invitation and order your tickets by the ticket deadline.
If you are unable to attend, please let us know and ensure you update your mailing address so we can post your certificate to you after the ceremonies have taken place.
Parking/Location
The postcode of the Dome is SK17 6RY. Roadside and metered parking are available close to the Dome. We can arrange on-campus parking for registered blue badge holders. Please let us know when you book your tickets if you need this facility. You can contact us by email at graduation@derby.ac.uk.
Photographs
Photographs can be pre-ordered from the Ede & Ravenscroft website. You can also order on the day of the ceremony. Ede and Ravenscroft photography studios will be located within the Dome. The studios are open before the ceremony commences and will open again after the ceremony has concluded. Additional people can be admitted to the Dome at the conclusion of the ceremony for the purpose of allowing group photographs to be taken.
Please note, if you have pre-ordered the photographs you need to print off your photography order card, which will have been emailed to you and bring this with you on the day.
If you have any queries please contact Ede & Ravenscroft directly at 01223 861854.
Postponement
In the unlikely event that the ceremony has to be cancelled for any reason, we will update our website as soon as possible.
If the ceremony is postponed, we will notify you of the reserved date for the ceremony.
Press Office
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 at 01332 592032 or email pressoffice@derby.ac.uk – you could be our next media star!
Registration
Graduands need to register with us when they arrive at the Dome on the day. This process ensures that graduands names are announced when they cross the stage and they occupy their allocated seat to reflect the order of presentation.
Refreshments
Tea and coffee will be served when you arrive at the Devonshire Campus.
Seating
Graduands are seated separately from guests.
Graduands will be allocated a seat number and row when they register. This seat will reflect the order of presentation of graduands. Our ushers (wearing maroon gowns) will help you find your correct seat.
Guest seating is unreserved.
Tickets
Graduands tickets are free of charge. Guest tickets are allocation based and will be on your invitation. They are priced at £15.00 each.
When you make a purchase, automatic confirmation of your payment will be emailed to the email address that you have entered on the ticket order form.
Extra tickets - please note: We strongly advise against making travel arrangements for guests on the assumption that extra tickets will be available. There is no admittance to the ceremony without a ticket. Please see our Additional Ticket section at the top of this page for further information.
If you have a UK address, your tickets will be posted to you.
If you are an overseas student and have an overseas mailing address, your tickets will be available for you to collect on the day at the door.
We are unable to refund purchased tickets after the ceremony has taken place.
Please ensure you refer to our terms and conditions before placing an order.
Please follow our guidance on how to order your tickets.
Timings
Please see the on-the-day guide for details of the timings. You don't have to arrive when the doors of the Dome open but please allow sufficient time for your journey, registration and for collection of your gown and formal photographs.
If you arrive late, please ensure that you report to a registration desk as soon as you can.