​​​​​​​​Graduation Ceremonies for the Class of 2021

Graduation Ceremonies for the Class of 2021 will be held as follows:

Information for Graduands and Guests

We are excited to welcome you and your guests to this year’s Graduation Ceremonies and we are looking forward to seeing you all shortly. The following gives you information about how the day will work, including:

• The measures that are in-place to make Graduation as COVID-safe as possible
• Timings for the day
• Ticketing, arrival and registration arrangements
• Information about gowning, photography and refreshments

If you have queries that aren’t answered in this guide please contact us via [email protected] no later than 10 November. After this date it is unlikely that we will be able to respond to you until after the ceremonies have finished.

COVID-19 Security Measures

Test Before Your Ceremony: You and your guests are strongly encouraged to take a lateral flow test in the 24 hours before your ceremony. If this test is positive, or you are displaying symptoms of COVID then you should not come to the ceremony.

If you (or one or more of your guests) are unable to attend let us know before the day of your ceremony via Student Records Online, and we will arrange a refund for unused tickets.  Unfortunately, we cannot refund tickets where the request is made after the ceremony starts. Agreed refunds will be processed by the end of January 2022. 

Ventilation: The venue is a large space with an air-circulation system that brings fresh-air in from the outside.  To further improve ventilation, and where practical and possible, doors and windows will be opened. 

Face Coverings: You and your guests are encouraged to wear face-coverings as you move around the more crowded indoor areas.  You can remove your face-covering if you are outdoors, eating or drinking, or as you move across the stage and graduate.

Cleaning: The Racecourse have put in-place an enhanced cleaning regime to ensure that high-volume touch points are regularly cleaned.  In addition, hand-sanitiser stations will be located throughout the venue.  Ede and Ravenscroft have confirmed that your gown, hood and mortarboard will only be worn by you before it is sent away for cleaning.

Graduating: This year we are unable to encourage you to shake-hands with the Chancellor as you graduate.  Instead, as you cross the stage to receive your congratulations, the Chancellor will bow or nod and you will be invited to reciprocate.

Directions and Car Parking

The Graduation Ceremonies are held at The Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse (postcode GL50 4SH). Car parking is available on site free of charge.  Blue badge parking is available close to The Centaur entrance. Please ask a parking steward as you arrive.

Timetable of the Event

Ticketing, Arrival and Registration

Entry to The Centaur is by ticket only (electronic copy is preferred).  This will be emailed to you on 3 November. If you arrive separately from your guests then please arrange to meet them in The Centaur Reception Foyer.   

You should arrive no later than 90 minutes before the ceremony starts and enter via the main doors to The Centaur.

Registration is a crucial part of the proceedings and you must register immediately upon arrival (your registration point will be given on your e-ticket which will be sent to you on 3 November). You will be handed a card with your seat number on it.  Please keep this ticket with you. If you do not register when you arrive, your name will not be read and you will not be able to graduate.

Please make sure you arrive on-time. We cannot guarantee that you will be able to take part in the ceremony if you arrive less than 30 minutes before your ceremony starts. 

**Please note that there are no storage facilities for coats, bags, luggage etc. at the venue**

Specific Requirements

If you have told us about a special requirement for you or a guest, please come to the Helpdesk in the registration area when you arrive.  You will find the Helpdesk to the right as you enter the Reception Foyer. 

Gowning

In order to avoid overcrowding only Graduates will be permitted to access the gowning-area.  Guests will be directed to a meeting point to wait outside the ‘Winged Ox’ bar.  Gowns are collected from the Betting Hall. Please bring your Ede and Ravenscroft booking reference number /confirmation e-mail with you.Graduates must be gowned to take part.  If you have not yet hired your gown you can do so from www.edeandravenscroft.com or telephone 01223 861854. Please consider wearing a top or shirt that buttons up to the neck, as this makes it easier to attach the hood. Alternatively, please bring safety pins with you!  Those with long hair may find it useful to bring hairclips to help keep your mortar-board (cap) in place.

Pre-Ceremony Refreshments

Pre-ceremony drinks will be available in the Winged Ox and Cottage Rake bars.  There will be ushers on hand to direct you to these areas.

Photography

Ede and Ravenscroft provide a professional graduation portrait service which is available throughout the day. It is recommended that you book this service in advance of the day to avoid queues (www.edeandravenscroft.com or telephone 01223 861854). The photography studios are always busiest in between ceremonies so please try to avoid this where possible.

The Ceremony

The ceremony takes place in the Centaur auditorium and will last for approximately one and a half hours. Please ensure that you are seated 15 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.

Graduates are allocated a specific seat on the ground floor alongside fellow graduates from your course. You must not change seats as this will disrupt the running order of the ceremony and may mean that your name isn’t read out as you cross the stage. Ushers will be on hand throughout to guide you.

Guests may use any of the unallocated/unlabelled seating in the auditorium. 

This year we are unable to encourage you to shake-hands with the Chancellor as you graduate.  Instead, as you cross the stage to receive your congratulations, the Chancellor will bow or nod, and you are invited to reciprocate. 

Graduation is a joyful event, so, once your name has been called your friends and guests should feel that they can cheer as you cross the stage.

Remember that your ceremony will be live-streamed. The link to view your ceremony live will be posted on www.glos.ac.uk/graduation closer to the time. Please pass this on to those unable to attend.

After Your Ceremony

Post-ceremony refreshments will be available in the Gold Cup and Festival suites located just off the Hall of Fame. There will be ushers on hand to direct you to these areas.

You will also find the University’s Students’ Union with merchandise for sale in this area.  Don’t forget to pre-order your graduation hoody: https://www.uogsu.com/shop/graduation/

Gowns should be returned to the drop off point by the Hall of Fame exit into the car park.

If you have consented to ‘StageClip’, approximately 48-hours after your graduation you will receive an email inviting you to download your clip.

Local Taxi Numbers

In case you require a taxi, the following numbers may be useful.  You are advised to pre-book.

Starline Taxis – 01242 250250                                       Andycars Taxis – 01242 262611
Spa Taxi – 01242 807666                                                 A2B Taxis – 01242 580580