On the day

Your graduation day will be one of the most memorable days of your life. Make sure you are well prepared for the whole experience so you can make the most of this momentous occasion.

A guide to graduation

Graduation day

The Surrey Graduation Experience: a step-by-step guide

1. Graduation arrival and timings

Find your ceremony time below to find all the important timings relevant to you and your guests. We recommend allowing as much time as possible to go through all the steps below, and to be able to enjoy this memorable day with your friends and family.

Plan your arrival 

You should arrive at least two hours before your ceremony start time as there are things you need to do before it begins. During peak times it can take a couple of hours to get through everything before you walk into the Cathedral to be seated.

Once you have arrived walk to the Austin Pearce piazza – this is where your big day begins! From here you will be guided through every step of your graduation experience by our friendly team.

Arriving late

We ask that you make every effort to arrive in time for the start of your ceremony. If you arrive late, you may not be able to graduate in your chosen ceremony. Plus, rushing around getting from one venue to the other will impact how much you enjoy your big day – a day that you may only experience once in your life!

If you are held up for any reason (e.g. traffic delays) then we will make every effort to graduate you in a later ceremony that day or week, as long as capacity allows.

April and July 2026 ceremonies10am ceremony11am ceremony12:30pm ceremony2pm ceremony3:30pm ceremony
Arrive on campusNo later than 8:30amNo later than 9:30amNo later than 11amNo later than 12:30pmNo later than 2pm
Check in and collect your robes from AP buildingOpen between 7:30am - 9:30amOpen between 8:30am - 10:30amOpen between 10am - 12 noonOpen between 11:30am - 1:30pmOpen between 1 - 3pm
Have your official studio photographs taken in AP buildingOpen between 7:30am - 7pmOpen between 8:30am - 5:30pmOpen between 7:30am - 7pmOpen between 8:30am - 5:30pmOpen between 7:30am - 7pm
Walk to Guildford Cathedral (allow at least 15 minutes)Before 9:30amBefore 10:30amBefore 12 noonBefore 1:30pmBefore 3pm
All graduands must be seated by9:30am10:30am12 noon1:30pm3pm
All guests must be seated by9:45am10:45am12:15pm1:45pm3:15pm
Cathedral doors close9:45am10:45am12:15pm1:45pm3:15pm
Your ceremony begins10am11am12:30pm2pm3:30pm
Your ceremony endsApprox. 11:30 amApprox. 12:30pmApprox. 2pmApprox. 3:30pmApprox. 5pm
Your celebratory reception beginsApprox. 11.45amApprox. 12:45pmApprox. 2.15pmApprox 3:45pmApprox. 5:15pm
Return your robes to Austin Pearce (must be returned on the same day as your ceremony)Before 7pmBefore 5:30pmBefore 7pmBefore 5:30pmBefore 7pm

2. Check in and collect your tickets

Have your ticket booking confirmation email and URN ready for when you visit the check-in tent. Here you will be given your wristband and your ceremony seat number (applicable to graduands only).

If you have indicated a member of your party will have difficulty making their way to the Cathedral on foot, a Cathedral car park permit will be given so you can drive to and park at the Cathedral.

If you have any luggage or items that can't be taken into the Cathedral, then head to the information point on the Austin Pearce Piazza and a member of staff will help store it for you.

3. Collect your robes and have your photography taken (pre-booked)

Once you have checked in you will be directed to the Austin Pearce Building where you will be able to collect your robes and take part in studio photography.

Our partners Ede & Ravenscroft will be on hand to assist you with robing. All robes should be pre-booked to avoid disappointment on the day. However, some spare robes will be available to hire on the day but this supply is limited in number.

After robing you can visit the photography studios for those all-important graduation snaps with your special guests.

To save yourself time on the day you can pre-book your studio photography package online.

4. Walk to Guildford Cathedral

You and your guests should then make your way to Guildford Cathedral for the ceremony via the flight of steps adjacent to Wates House. If you have been given a Cathedral parking permit then you should make your way back to the car park and drive up to the Cathedral.

This walk can take 10-15 minutes depending on your walking speed, and there are a number of hills and steps on the way. Allow plenty of time for this part of the day and bring water with you during hot weather.

5. Take your seats in the Cathedral

This is the moment you take the walk into the incredible Guildford Cathedral and relax in your seat before the start of your ceremony.

The entrance to the Cathedral is via the main doors and is by wristband only.

The Cathedral doors close 15 minutes before the start of your ceremony – all attendees must be seated by this time as the doors close shortly after. All of our events must run on schedule, so we do not wait for late arrivals! 

Seating

Guests are not generally allocated a seat number so are advised to arrive early in the Cathedral to choose their seats.  

Guests are asked to remain seated and not block the view of others for the duration of the ceremony. 

Graduands are allocated a seat and are seated in the block to the back right of the Cathedral and should approach their seats using the right-hand aisle. They should show their wristband to the steward at the end of their row who will direct them to the correct seat and register their attendance. Please ensure that you are in the correct seat at least 30 minutes before the start of the ceremony. 

There is limited seating in the West Gallery (upstairs) which will be used if the ceremony is particularly full. This will be opened once the main body of the Cathedral has been filled. Some seats upstairs do have a restricted view. 

Cathedral helpdesk

There is a helpdesk located inside the Cathedral if you have any questions. Please note that this desk is manned for one hour before each ceremony is due to commence and we will only be able to deal with enquiries relating to that ceremony. This desk will not have any payment facilities. 

Guest safety

To help keep everyone safe bag checks will be in progress so please be prepared to open small bags for a quick bag search just before you enter the Cathedral. On some ceremony days there may be additional bag checks and security before you enter the Cathedral, so you should consider this when planning your day. 

The following items are not permitted in the Cathedral but you can make use of the left luggage facility at the Austin Pearce Piazza: 

  • Large bags and suitcases
  • Selfie sticks
  • Helium balloons
  • Food and drink (water is allowed). 

You'll be able to leave any flowers on a table in the Cathedral. Toilets are available in the Cathedral refectory building, and mobile phones should be switched to silent during the ceremony. 

You can find more information about what you are and are not allowed to bring into the Cathedral on our venue, travel and parking page.

6. Enjoy the ceremony

This is the big moment! Our friendly team will be on hand to guide you through the whole process, so there is no need to worry about specifically what you need to do and when.

Your moment on stage

After the fanfare and procession, you will be guided to the stage by a member of the team when it is your turn. When your name is announced, you will walk across the stage to receive your certificate (if you haven't already received it) and then return to your seat. During the ceremony, only your name and course will be announced, not the outcome of your degree, such as whether you achieved a first or a 2:1. If you are not in attendance, your name will not be called out.

If you have been awarded a prize for best performance or best research project, it will be announced during the ceremony, but you will receive the prize on another day from the relevant awarding party.

On the stage you will stop to shake hands with the Presiding Officer and your photo will be taken, before you return to your seat for the rest of the ceremony.

Following the presentation you will be able to enjoy speeches from a selection of inspirational guest speakers, before you leave the Cathedral at the end of your ceremony.

Live streaming

All ceremonies will be live streamed on the University’s YouTube channel, meaning you can watch wherever you are in the world. The live stream can also be shared with any family and friends who may not be able to attend the celebration in person.

7. Celebrate at our garden-party-themed reception

The celebration continues in The Marquee with all graduands invited to enjoy free-entry to the garden-party-themed reception alongside your guests! All attendees can look forward to a delicious afternoon tea with a glass of fizz, as well as brilliant photo opportunities and a fantastic atmosphere, all included within your ticket.

Key information about the reception

All guests can visit the buffet tables, including sandwiches, wraps, savoury bites, sweet treats and free-flowing drinks as many times as they like during the 60-minute service!

All those entering the celebratory marquee must have a valid wristband. You can book your free wristbands and tickets online.

Please note: the reception is not a seated event. There will be tables and seating available, but this will be on a first-come, first served basis.

Getting to the reception

Walk straight down to the reception as soon as you can – your reception begins 15 minutes after your ceremony and food and drink is available for one hour. We want you to make the most of the whole event! After the reception you have the rest of the day to walk around campus taking as many photos as you like, and you don't need to return your robes until the end of the day.

Once you are finished, you will need to return your robes to the Austin Pearce Building before the times stated below. This marks the end of the formal part of your graduation experience, but of course you are welcome to stay on campus, maybe for a drink or two in Wates House?

8. Capture your moment and graduation souvenirs

Grab selfies around campus before returning your robes

We know that you will all be wanting photos by the lake, the Stag statue or in your favourite campus hangouts, so take a walk around campus to build those lasting memories and take as many photos as you want!

Once you are finished, you will need to return your robes to the Austin Pearce Building before the times stated above. This marks the end of the formal part of your graduation experience, but of course you are welcome to stay on campus, maybe for a drink or two in Wates House?

Browse our exclusive graduation merchandise

Take home your own special piece of Surrey memorabilia. Items include personalised clothing, jewellery, teddies, mugs, keyrings and more.

Our merchandise stall will be outside Austin Pearce, plus a range of items in The Marquee. 

Alternatively, you can explore our full range and order online via our Surrey Store for worldwide delivery.

Store opening times will be shared where ahead of the April/July 2026 ceremonies.

MySurrey Help

Search MySurrey Help to find useful articles about life at Surrey