Information for those attending a summer 2024 graduation ceremony
The summer 2024 graduations will be held from 3 July to 16 July, inclusive.
Summer 2024 graduation registration
Registration for the summer 2024 graduations will open on 25 March and the form should be accessed via MyEd.
About graduation
Where is the graduation ceremony?
All graduation ceremonies take place in the McEwan Hall, Edinburgh.
How long are the ceremonies?
The ceremonies will last approximately 1-2 hours.
Who can attend the graduation ceremonies?
All students who have had their degree, diploma or certificate outcome confirmed by the Board of Examiners by Monday 17 June 2024 can attend the relevant ceremony. Postgraduate research degree candidates must have their award letter by 17 June. Eligibility to graduate is determined by Schools and is displayed via MyEd.
Applying to attend a ceremony does not mean you are eligible to graduate and you must have your degree outcome confirmed by the Board of Examiners by 17 June to attend. If your degree outcome is confirmed after 17 June, you will be eligible to attend a future graduation ceremony.
How do I register to attend the graduation ceremonies?
- Complete the registration form via the invitation to register email or via your Student Record -> Progression & Awards and scroll down to find the graduation booking link. You must register to attend by Monday 17 June. Please note that this is separate from registering to attend any events your School might be organising.
- Order your gown and hood from Ede and Ravenscroft. More details are available in the What to wear section below. Photography sessions can also be arranged with Ede and Ravenscroft when ordering your gown and hood.
Do I have to pay a fee to graduate?
You do not have to pay a fee to the University of Edinburgh in order to graduate. You will have to pay a charge to Ede & Ravenscroft to hire a gown and hood for the ceremony.
Can I defer my graduation?
Deferrals are considered on a case by case basis, and requests should be submitted before the graduation ceremony. Please note that the day, date, time of an alternate graduation ceremony will not be confirmed until registration for the next graduation cycle is open. To discuss further, please contact us via the contact us button above.
Health and safety measures
Your safety is our priority. These events have been planned in line with the latest Scottish Government and University of Edinburgh health and safety recommendations to ensure the safety of our graduates, guests and and our team. We will update this page with more detailed guidance as we have it.
Anyone who is self-isolating, who has Covid-19 symptoms or who has tested positive for Covid should not attend the graduation ceremonies.
Please ensure you and your guests are familiar with the Scottish Government guidance before attending the graduation ceremony or booking travel to attend the ceremony.
Scottish Government Covid-19 guidance
Please note graduation events may be subject to change due to Scottish Government guidance on COVID-19.
Before the ceremony
How many guest tickets will I get?
All graduands may request up to 2 guest tickets for their graduation ceremony. You do not need to request a ticket for yourself.
How can I get extra guest tickets?
In addition to the 2 guaranteed tickets, you may ask during the registration process to enter a lottery to obtain an additional 3 tickets, for a maximum of 5 guest tickets per graduand.
The lottery outcome is generally announced one week before the graduation ceremony after registration has closed and the number of attendees and ticket requests has been finalised.
If you have been informed that you were successful in the lottery for additional tickets, you will receive all of your tickets at check-in the day of your ceremony.
When will I receive the guest tickets?
Guest tickets will be handed out when you check in for your ceremony. More details on check-in are available in the On the day section below.
Is McEwan Hall wheelchair accessible?
McEwan Hall is accessible for wheelchairs and anyone with reduced mobility. When you register to attend your ceremony, please let us know if you or your guests use a wheelchair or need special arrangements so we can ensure your seats are accessible.
Further informaiton on accessibility in McEwan Hall is available on the AccessAble web site:
McEwan Hall accessibility guide
How do I make special arrangements ?
The ceremony attendance registration form offers you the opportunity to indicate if you or your guests require special arrangements.
If you have questions, please contact the Student Information Point Team to discuss your requirements.
Will my name appear in the graduation programme and the Scotsman?
The University provides graduates’ names and degrees awarded to the Scotsman for publication on the day of graduation.
If you register to attend a graduation ceremony before the registration deadline, you can choose to have your name published in the Scotsman.
If you do not wish for your name to appear in the Scotsman, you will be able to indicate this when completing the graduation registration form.
The only information that will appear in the Scotsman is your name and your degree award, your degree classification will not be listed.
Where else might my name appear, and what can I do if I do not want my personal details released?
Your name and degree award may be used on merchandise available to graduands only, such as hoodies, t-shirts and yearbooks. If you do not wish for your name to appear on any merchandise, you will be able to indicate this when completing the graduation registration form.
Please contact marketing and communications team at communications.office@ed.ac.uk to find out more about which third parties will have access to your information.
If you owe any debt to the University we encourage you to make payment before you graduate. A debt to the University could be any unpaid balance for rent, tuition, fines or other charges.
If you have unpaid tuition fees 21 days prior to the date of graduation, you may not be permitted to attend a graduation ceremony. The University must receive payment by bank transfer/debit card/credit card 28 days prior to the graduation ceremony.
You can pay your outstanding balance using the Student Finance Channel in MyEd, online via our Tuition Payments portal or via bank-to-bank transfer.
If you have any questions about your unpaid debt, please contact the Finance office at feepayment@ed.ac.uk.
How do I order my academic robes?
Ede and Ravenscroft are the official robe makers to The University of Edinburgh and you must order a gown and hood from Ede and Ravenscroft if you are attending a ceremony. Gowns can be pre-ordered up to two weeks before your ceremony or hired on the day of your ceremony.
If you pre-order, your academic robe and hood will be available at the McEwan Hall for you to collect on the day of graduation.
If you have not ordered your gown by the deadline for pre-orders, we recommend you bring £45 in cash to McEwan Hall on the day of your ceremony to hire your robe.
You will not be able to attend a ceremony unless you are wearing the appropriate academic gown and hood; If you use a supplier other than Ede & Ravenscroft and if the gown and hood supplied are incorrect, you will be asked to hire and pay for the correct gown and hood from Ede & Ravenscroft on the day.
What colour is my hood?
A full list of University of Edinburgh Academic Robes / Hoods is available.
I'm getting an MA as an undergraduate degree -- which robe option do I choose?
The correct option to choose for an undergraduate MA degree is "Bachelors/First Degrees (MA U/Grad)".
What is the dress code?
Graduation ceremonies are a formal occasion. The dress code consists of your gown, hood, and formal dress. While there is no formal dress code, we recommend one of the following:
- A dark suit, white shirt, with a white bow tie (normal dark ties are also acceptable)
- A dark dress
- A dark trouser or skirt suit, with a white shirt or blouse
- Highland dress
- Other formal attire related to your cultural tradition or national costume
When your name is called, you are required to walk across the stage via a ramp. We recommend you wear flat or low-heeled shoes.
What name will appear on my degree certificate?
Your official name as recorded on your student record will appear on your degree certificate. You can check your names on your student record. Log into your MyEd account to see your official name. The name on your certificate should match the name on your passport, birth certificate and other official documentation.
After your degree certificate has been issued, it is not possible to amend the name, except under the University's trans policy, so you must ensure your name is correct and let us know of any changes required by Monday 10 June.
How can I correct or update the name that will appear on my degree certificate?
For any official name change, such as forenames and surname (family name) please send your request by emailing infopoint@ed.ac.uk from your student email account with a copy of your passport or other official identification
For a change to your surname, enclose a copy of a form of official identification with your former name with your application, for example a driver's licence or a copy of the relevant pages of your passport. In addition, your application should be accompanied by either a copy of a marriage or divorce certificate, or a Deed Poll certificate with the new name. Scanned copies of supporting documentation are acceptable.
All name change requests and supporting documentation must be received no later than 10 June 2024.
Will all of my names be called out?
At the graduation ceremony, your preferred forename and surname will be read. If you want to amend your preferred forename, please do so before 16 June. You can amend your preferred forename in MyEd by following instructions for making changes to your student record.
How do I arrange a visa invitation letter?
If you are an international student and have registered to attend your ceremony, you can download a letter confirming you have registered to attend your ceremony from the documents section your student record in MyEd. The letter will confirm your details, the details of your award (or expected award), the date of your ceremony. It is not possible to customise the letter and from previous experience this is not necessary.
On the day of the ceremony
How and when do I check in for the ceremony?
Graduation days are very busy so we recommend that you allow plenty time to check in and collect your robe and hood. Check-in will close 45 minutes before the start of the ceremony.
For the 11 am ceremony: Check-in at the McEwan Hall between 8.30 am and 10.15 am at the latest.
For the 3 pm ceremony: Check-in at the McEwan Hall between 12.30 and 2.15 pm at the latest.
Important: Graduands must be in the McEwan Hall, robed and seated, 30 minutes before the ceremony begins.
Where do I get my ticket?
You will be given your own ticket when you check in before your ceremony. You should keep your ticket with you at all times because you will need it during the ceremony.
Where do I get my guest tickets?
You will also be given your guest tickets when you check in for your graduation ceremony. If you have more tickets than you need, please return these at check-in.
Where might I ask for extra guest tickets?
If you would like additional tickets on the day of your ceremony, please ask about returns at check-in. These will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. We cannot assign any tickets by email or over the telephone. You must come to McEwan Hall when check-in opens and ask if there are returns.
I have more tickets than I need, can I give them to a friend?
Graduation tickets are non-transferable. When you check in, please return any tickets you do not need.
Where and when do I collect my gown and hood?
If you have pre-ordered your robe and hood will be ready for you to collect in the McEwan Hall. If you have not pre-ordered you can pay for your robe and hood on the day. The cost of hiring on the day is £45. Ede & Ravenscroft will be present in McEwan Hall when you check in for graduation.
How do I return my gown and hood?
After the ceremony, you should return your robes to Ede and Ravenscroft who will be in the robing area of the McEwan Hall, unless you have arranged additional hiring time directly with Ede and Ravenscroft.
Where do I go for my graduation photographs?
Graduation photography services will take place in the upstairs bar (Hangar 5) of Potterrow. You can prebook graduation photography packages from our official photography partner Ede & Ravenscroft. Photography can also be booked on the day.
Will the ceremony be livestreamed?
The ceremonies will be livestreamed and will be available to view via the University homepage
You will receive a video clip from your graduation ceremony which is recorded as you cross the stage and receive your award. The clips will be sent automatically by email in the weeks following the ceremony.
Where can I park?
There is no reserved parking for the graduation ceremonies, and the City of Edinburgh has limited parking. We recommend, where possible, to take public transport or a taxi.
For parking in Edinburgh, including bays for disability parking, please use the Edinburgh council website
Cancelling your attendance at your ceremony
If you register to attend your ceremony and are then unable to attend, you must cancel your attendance in the registration form before noon on 17 June.
Further Information
Who should I contact if I have a question?
- Graduation Registration/Ceremony Tickets/Other ceremony questions - infopoint@ed.ac.uk
- Academic Robes/Photography - Ede & Ravenscroft, telephone 01223 861 854, operating hours are 9 am-5 pm Monday to Friday
Where can I find links to other useful information?
Graduation Ball
Please note that filming and photography will be taking place at graduation events and in the surrounding envrionments for promotional purposes. The photographs and recordings made are likely to appear on our website and social media profiles. If you would prefer not to be photographed please let the photographer present know. For further information please see our privacy statement.