On graduation day

What should I bring?

1. Photo ID (e.g. Imperial student card)

2. Your CID number

3. Your registration confirmation email (includes QR code)

4. Your gown booking reference (emailed to you from Ede and Ravenscroft)

5. Your ceremony and departmental e-tickets

Your graduation day schedule

There’s a lot going on during graduation day, so we recommend getting to campus early and planning ahead to make sure you don’t miss out.  

The South Kensington Campus will be very busy and arriving as early as possible is the best way to make sure that you have enough time to register on the day, collect your gown, visit photography and be seated in the Royal Albert Hall before your ceremony begins.

To ensure that all graduands have an opportunity to register and collect their academic dress in time for their ceremony, you will be allocated a time slot to arrive on the day. You do not need to notify the Graduation Team if you are unable to make your alloted time, but you will need to ensure that you arrive before the end of the registration window for your ceremony.

When you arrive...

Register

On arrival graduands will need to register in the Junior Common Room, Sherfield Building, South Kensington Campus.

If you have not visited the South Kensington Campus before, we recommend, planing your journey ahead!

Collect your gown

After registering on the day, you can collect your pre-ordered academic dress from the Senior Common Room, Sherfield Building, South Kensington Campus.

Ede & Ravenscroft will also have staff on hand to assist you with putting on your gown and hood.

Visit photography

Professional photography will be offered on the day by Tempest Photography on South Kensington Campus. Graduands can visit with their friends and family, before or after the ceremony in the Royal Albert Hall.

There is no need to pre-book but please ensure you leave enough time to take your seats in the Hall for your ceremony.

Your graduation...

Arrive for your ceremony

Doors to the Royal Albert Hall open 45 minutes before your ceremony and we recommend you are seated at least 30 minutes before it begins. The doors of the Hall will close 15 minutes before the ceremony starts.

The Royal Albert Hall reserves the right to search bags brought into the Hall. You should be prepared for your bags to be checked and you should avoid bringing large bags or items of luggage.

Make sure you have purchased your guest tickets in advance!

Departmental Receptions

Graduands who have purchased passes can return to the South Kensington Campus with their guests, to attend their departmental reception and catch-up with departmental colleagues and academics.

The receptions take place at various location across the South Kensington campus and last approximately 90 minutes. Venues for each department for Commemoration Day 2023 departmental receptions are still to be finalised.
The backs of graduates as they walk on campus in their gowns

Return your gown

Before you leave campus for the day, please ensure that you have returned your hired academic dress.

You should return your gown by 22.30 on the evening of your graduation. Further guidance, including where on the South Kensington campus to return your gown and hood will be communicated in advance of your graduation.