Final-year checklist

Visit your Final Year Resources Hub

We understand that the final year of University can be a challenging time.

The important thing to remember is that we are here to support you now and after you complete your studies.

We've collated a range of useful services, resources and more to get you thinking about life after your undergraduate degree on our final year resources hub.

Update Surrey Self-Service

You will need to update your correct email, phone number and address on Surrey Self-Service. The name needs to match exactly what you have on your passport. This is to ensure your graduation certificate is accurate

If you need to change your legal name, you will need to email studentrecords@surrey.ac.uk with a copy of your official documents (passport, birth or marriage certificate, or deed poll) so that they can change this for you. The deadlines are as follows:

• Undergraduates – TBC
• Postgraduates with a course end date in November – TBC
• If you need to change your postal address then please do this by TBC

These cannot be changed after these dates.

Accessing your Surrey email inbox, OneDrive and documents

Your account will shut 90 days after your course end date. You will therefore not be able to access your Surrey email inbox or any documents you have stored online after this time.

It is highly recommended that you save all your important documents and contacts from here onto your personal email or other storage device/service because you will not be able to access them after your account has closed and they cannot be recovered by IT Services.

You will receive email reminders to your Surrey365 account about how to do this, so ensure that you keep checking your inbox even after finishing your course.

Attending your graduation

We don't want you to miss The Great Surrey Send Off - make sure you have booked your graduation wristbands and tickets to guarantee your spot at your ceremony and reception.

Tickets will be available to book during the following dates:

• Postgraduate ceremonies in April 2026: Monday 12 January - Friday 6 March 2026
• Undergraduate ceremonies in July 2026: Monday 27 April - Friday 5 June 2026

Paying council tax

You will be liable for paying council tax from your official course end date.

If you are going onto further study, such as a masters degree, you may still be entitled to a discount. 

Accessing Surrey Employability Hub

As you’re leaving the University soon, you will need to update your Surrey Employability Hub account to alumni status so you can retain access to our Employability and Careers services. Including the job search portal, appointments and online tools

You will have access to careers appointments up to three years after you leave the University and lifetime access to the job search portal and online careers tools.

Join Forever Surrey

Whilst graduating can often be a bittersweet experience, you will be joining an amazing global community of 126,000 Surrey graduates. What unites you all is that Surrey will always be part of your story. 

As a Surrey graduate, there are many ways to stay involved with the University. Find out more about our alumni benefits and support and how you can stay in touch with us and your peers. 

Wherever life takes you, Surrey will always be part of your story. 

Sign up for SurreyConnects

Wherever you are in your career journey, you can gain career clarity through SurreyConnects, our online networking and mentoring platform exclusive to Surrey.

When you join SurreyConnects, you can:

• Look for your first role after you graduate through our Job Board
• Ask over 2000 alumni professionals about a career or subject unrelated to your degree
• Get expert advice and industry insights to stand out in your job applications through one-off chats or mentorship opportunities.

Remember to register with your LinkedIn profile or personal email address, so that you can retain access after you have graduated. 

Accessing your transcripts

Your transcripts, also known as your Higher Education Achievement Record (HEAR), can be accessed online via the Gradintelligence portal where you will be able to view and share your official academic results.

You will have been registered for the HEAR service by the University but to access it you must have activated your account. To find out how to activate visit our transcripts and award documentation page.

If you have any problems activating your account please contact hear@surrey.ac.uk.

Returning library books

Please ensure that all items borrowed from the library are returned as soon as possible after you have completed your course.

• On Stag Hill campus please use the self-return machines located on Level 1 of the Library
• On Manor Park campus please use the book return bin located outside MySurrey Hive Manor Park / Manor Park Social
• If you are already inside the Library (for example, you have a study space booked) then you can also use the self-service machines located on Level 1.

You can find out more about how to return your books in the Library's how-to video guide.

If you are unable to return your library items in person, please email the Library team and they can advise further. 

Keep your degree certificates safe

When you receive your certificates we recommend keeping them in a very safe place as you will need to pay for replacements. You could purchase a smart presentation folder, which you can also use when attending interviews.

Need an academic or personal reference?

Read our advice on how to get a reference as either a current student or graduate.

Return your BRP card (international students)

Once the expiry date on your biometric residence permit (BRP) card has expired, you will need to return it to the Home Office by post:

BRP Returns Home Office
Conference House
Conference Avenue
Portishead
Bristol
BS20 7LZ

If you are planning to apply for the Graduate Route, you should not return your BRP, as you will need this during the application process.