Getting ready for Graduation
Find everything you need to know about registration for graduation — from buying tickets, to gown hire, photography, and visas.
Registration and eligibility
You are not eligible to attend your Graduation ceremony if:
- You have been unsuccessful in your assessments
- You are in debt to the University for unpaid tuition fees
If you are subject to an investigation for misconduct (either Academic Misconduct under the Academic Integrity policy or Non-Academic misconduct under the Student Code of Behaviour), you may not be invited to your Graduation ceremony. You may be invited to a later ceremony once the situation is resolved.
How to register
Registration for the July 2026 ceremonies is now closed. If you have registered your place, you'll be able to view your confirmation via the booking summary screen on your registration portal at any point leading up to your ceremony.
If you cannot attend your ceremony due to extenuating circumstances, you must inform us. Each request is assessed on a case by case basis and is not guaranteed.
Students with outstanding course fees
Students with outstanding tuition fees will not be eligible to attend their designated ceremony unless payment has been made in full by Wednesday 24 June 2026. In these circumstances students will not be deferred to a later round of ceremonies.
For assistance, please contact our Finance Office at +44 (0)115 848 6500 or complete this enquiry form. Alternatively, you can visit this page to find out how you can pay your tuition fees in full.
In the event of a change to the Graduation ceremonies
If the Graduation Ceremony cannot take place or is delayed or the ceremony time needs to change due to events beyond the control of Nottingham Trent University, including (without limitation) fire, explosion, terrorist act (or threat of terrorist act), act of God, outbreak of communicable disease, epidemic, pandemic, civil emergencies, any Government restrictions, order, rule, regulation or action by a Government or public authority, national mourning (any member of the royal family) or as a result of any industrial action or dispute involving Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham Trent University will contact you as soon as possible to let you know.
Nottingham Trent University will not be liable for any losses direct or otherwise incurred by the graduates or their guests for delays caused by the event being cancelled, delayed or rescheduled.
Have a question?
No problem, please visit our frequently asked questions page, or alternatively, please email ntu.graduations@ntu.ac.uk.
Unable to attend Graduation?
If you are unable to attend or decide not to attend your Graduation ceremony, you will graduate in absentia. We will post your certificate to you after the ceremony. You will still need to register before the deadline to confirm your details for posting out your certificate.
If you have an international permanent home address, your certificate will be automatically posted via Air Mail free of charge and untracked in August 2026. Please allow up to 12 weeks for your certificate to arrive via Air Mail.
Find out more on our Frequently asked questions page.
Guest tickets
Students can book up to two guest tickets during registration.
If you have registered for Graduation and ordered your two guest tickets, you'll be able to view your ticket order for University Hall via the booking summary screen on your registration portal at any point leading up to your ceremony.
Due to capacity restrictions, we are unfortunately unable to accommodate additional guests within University buildings. However, all of our Graduation ceremonies are live streamed and free to watch on our website, so your guests won’t miss a moment of the celebration.
Please note: Children are required to have their own ticket to access University Hall, and an adult who holds a University Hall guest ticket must accompany them. These tickets are inclusive of the post-ceremony refreshments.
Please be aware that all guests, including babies and children of any age, must have their own ticket to enter University Hall. Due to venue fire safety regulations, children are not permitted to sit on the lap of another guest during the ceremony.
Graduates may book up to two guest tickets during registration.
We understand that Graduation is a special occasion for celebrating with family and friends. However, please note that the ceremonies are formal events and may include loud music and other sounds that could be unsettling for babies and young children. For this reason, we advise against bringing very young children to the ceremony.
If children become unsettled during the event, we kindly ask that they be taken outside to avoid disrupting the proceedings.
All graduating students will need to collect their tickets upon arrival on the day from the ticket desk, which will be located in the Newton building and open an hour and a half prior to your ceremony. We will not be posting tickets out prior to the ceremonies.
You can find further details on what to do on the day of your Graduation in the on the day section of the website.
Please note that all guest tickets are non-refundable as stated at the time of booking, with the exception of students who are no longer eligible to attend due to having to retake an assessment, in which case you will receive a refund once the ceremony has taken place. A further invitation to the next set of ceremonies will be sent to you in due course. Tickets cannot be transferred between ceremonies and you must complete the online registration process again.
Additional requirements
If you or your guests require special arrangements for your ceremony, please let us know by completing the comments section during registration, or by contacting us at ntu.graduations@ntu.ac.uk before Sunday 31 May 2026.
You can view your Graduation venue here.
Special arrangements can include:
- Accessible seating
- Wheelchair access
- Sign Language Interpreter
- Hearing loop system
- Assistance dogs.
Accessible toilet facilities are within easy reach of any location inside the venues.
NTU is accessible, with flat access, lifts to all floors, and automated doors in most areas.
If you have any questions or other requirements relating to this event, please contact us at ntu.graduations@ntu.ac.uk and we can arrange a telephone call to discuss your request.
Your name at Graduation
During the registration period, you will have the opportunity to check that your name is correct and make any necessary changes prior to graduation before Sunday 31 May 2026.
Please note: It is the University’s policy not to allow retrospective name changes after you have completed your course and graduated. This includes changes due to marriage or divorce. This policy is in place to protect your degree certification and ensure your qualifications can be verified after graduation. Please note you may be asked to provide supporting evidence (such as an official document) for the change.
Exceptions
Name changes after graduation may be permitted in cases such as gender reassignment or other exceptional circumstances. You may be asked to provide supporting evidence (such as an official document) for the change.
Preferred name
Graduands who wish to have their preferred name read aloud during the graduation ceremony must notify us via the instructions during the gowning booking process.
Should you wish for your preferred name to be included in the graduation programme and on your ticket, please notify us by emailing ntu.graduations@ntu.ac.uk on or before Sunday 31 May 2026.
Your certificate and transcript are a formal record of your award and must contain your full (legal) name, as shown on your passport or other legal documentation.
If we do not receive notification of a preferred name by the stated deadline, your full legal name will be used in all official documents. Please note that late submissions may result in your preferred name not being reflected in our records.
Phonetic spellings
You can provide the phonetic spelling of your name during the gowning booking process.
Please note that this is not for name changes. If your name has changed or you wish to use a preferred name, you must notify us by emailing ntu.graduations@ntu.ac.uk on or before Sunday 31 May 2026.
Relaxed Graduation experience
NTU is dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive space for all who work and study with us, and this includes our Graduation ceremonies.
Our next relaxed ceremony date will on Wednesday 29 July 2026.
Graduation is a time to celebrate your achievements with your family and friends; however, we understand that some students and guests may find attending a ceremony in University Hall overwhelming.
To make Graduation more accessible NTU are offering an alternative Graduation experience. This experience is designed for students or guests with learning difficulties, autism, social anxiety, or sensory processing difficulties, but is open to those who may find this alternative format more comfortable.
There will be staff members available on the day to assist as required and chill out areas provided for anyone who may become overwhelmed.
If you are interested in the relaxed ceremony, please email ntu.graduations@ntu.ac.uk.
Have a question?
No problem, please visit our frequently asked questions page, or alternatively, please email ntu.graduations@ntu.ac.uk.
Hire your gown and hood
If you plan to attend your Graduation ceremony, please visit Graduation Attire's website before the deadline of Wednesday 3 June 2026 to hire or purchase your gown. You’ll need your student ID and surname to begin the booking.
It is compulsory for all graduands to wear the University academic dress at their ceremony. Graduation Attire is our official gown hire company and all gowns should be hired directly through them.
During the booking process, you’ll also have the option to reserve a free printed graduation programme as a keepsake of your special day. If you do not reserve one in advance, you will need to access it online or purchase it after the ceremony.
Graduands who wish to have their preferred name read aloud during the graduation ceremony must notify us via the instructions during the gowning booking process.
Before you start your booking, please make sure you know the following measurements:
- Head circumference (in centimetres)
- Chest size
- Height
On your Graduation day, we recommend that you bring hair grips to secure your hat.
Graduation Attire is NTU’s official gown supplier. All gowns must be hired directly through them. Please note that gowns may not be available on the day for those who have not pre-ordered.
Want to know what your gown will look like? Take a look at the Guide to Academic Dress.
Gown collection and return
You will collect your gown on the day of your ceremony from the Arkwright building in room 006 and return it to the drop off point in the Newton forum area by 8 pm. These will be clearly signposted for you.
Please note, if you are graduating on Friday 17 July, Friday 24 July or Thursday 30 July, gown return closes earlier and you must return your gown by 6.15 pm.
Did you know that 30 plastic bottles are recycled per gown?
All of our black ceremonial gowns are made from certified recycled materials, saving 30 bottles from polluting the earth with every gown made.
Not only that but if you’re graduating this year, you’ll become one of the very first people to wear one of the brand-new ceremonial gowns and hoods designed by our own NTU student!
Book your photography
Book your official Graduation photography to beat the queues and enjoy a discount.
Marston Photography
Marston Photography are NTU's official Graduation supplier. You can see all their traditional photography packages that they have available on their website.
Marston Photography can provide you with high quality Graduation photography to cherish the occasion forever. Their Graduation photography service includes an individual portrait, as well as pictures with friends and family.
We recommend that you pre-book a time slot to have your photographs taken to save time and money on the day. Please ensure your photography booking is no less than 45 minutes before your ceremony start time to avoid being late and missing your ceremony. It is possible to book your photography session for after your ceremony too.
Visit Marston Photography's website to book your photography. Please pre-book photography by Thursday 9 July 2026.
Photography will be located in the Arkwright building.
Should you have any questions or queries regarding Graduation photography, please contact Marston Photography direct on + 44 (0)1293 82 22 11 or email enquiries@marstonevents.com.
On stage photography
As you cross the stage a photograph will be taken of you with the Presiding Officer. Following your ceremony, these will be available for you to purchase from Marston Photography, in the Newton building.
Please note that no cameras or phones are permitted to be used on stage. However, your guests are welcome to take photographs from their seats.
Visa information
If you or any of your guests require a visitor visa to enter the UK for your Graduation ceremony, please read the information below.
Visa information for international students and guests
If you or your guests need a visitor visa to travel to the UK, you can obtain an official invitation letter. Visa support letters can only be issued for:
- students who have registered to attend their graduation ceremony
- guests who hold a valid guest ticket for that ceremony.
How to receive a visa support letter
- Register your attendance and reserve your two free guest tickets via the online booking portal. The deadline to register is Sunday 19 April 2026.
- After you have registered, we will automatically issue a visa support letter for you and your two free guests (if required).
- Letters will be sent digitally to your personal email address within seven working days. Please ensure your personal email address is up to date.
Please note:
- Visa support letters can only be issued to students who have registered to attend their ceremony by Sunday 19 April 2026.
- Invitation letters cannot be provided for guests who do not have a valid guest ticket.
Do you require a visa?
If you are unsure whether you require a visa to enter the UK, please contact the International Student Support Office at int.support@ntu.ac.uk. For any other enquiries, please email the Graduation team at ntu.graduations@ntu.ac.uk.
Graduation communications
Missed an email about Graduation? Find copies of the emails that you should be receiving in the lead-up to your special day.
Graduation communications