Graduation Guide
This guide contains the key information you need to know to get the best out of your graduation day. Congratulations and enjoy your day!
Order of ceremonies
The order of ceremonies for Commemoration Day 2023 is still to be confirmed. Once provisional timings are agreed this section will be updated.
Three steps to a successful day
Step three - arrive at the Royal Albert Hall
Arrive at the Royal Albert Hall in plenty of time for your ceremony. You should arrive at the Royal Albert Hall at least 45 minutes before the ceremony commences.
Don't forget...
• Your gown order confirmation
• Your CID number
• Photographic ID
• Registration confirmation email (includes a QR code to register, access the Royal Albert Hall for your ceremony and enter your departmental reception if you have registered to attend as well as your gown booking reference)
• Safety pin to hold your hood in place
• To arrive in your allocated registration slot
Please arrive at Imperial at least 90 minutes before your ceremony to ensure that you have enough time to collect your gown and your envelope. You will not be able to participate in the ceremony without your gown and QR code. Late arrivals might be refused entry to the hall.
Tickets
Registration QR Code
Your registration confirmation email contains a QR code for you to complete registration on the day of your ceremony and to use as your ticket to enter the Royal Albert Hall. The QR code will be sent two weeks before your ceremony and can be found within the body of the email and the attachment. If you have purchased passes to your departmental reception, you can use this QR code to enter the reception as well. The email address to search your mailbox for the e-tickets is: Imperial-College@idloom.events.
Royal Albert Hall e-ticket for guests
Guest e-tickets are sent by email two weeks before Graduation Day. The team at door 12 at the Royal Albert Hall can help with questions about e-tickets. The email address to search your mailbox for the guest e-tickets is: e-tickets@royalalberthall.com.
Arrive for your ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall
You should arrive at the Royal Albert Hall with your e-ticket and gown at least 45 minutes before your ceremony starts. Please note the Royal Albert Hall reserves the right to search bags, so please be prepared for your bags to be checked when you enter the Hall. To avoid delays, please do not bring large bags to graduation.
Ceremony guidance
Dress code
Graduation is a formal occasion. You should be dressed smartly and you are welcome to wear traditional or national dress. Shorts, jeans and trainers are not appropriate for graduands or guests.
Important information
Out of respect to all graduands and for the enjoyment of all of our guests, we ask that you remain in the hall until the entire ceremony has concluded. Use of mobile phones and flash photography Flash photography and selfies on stage inside the Royal Albert Hall is not permitted.
Ceremony live streaming
Family and friends who can’t attend your ceremony can watch you graduate on our live-stream on our website: www.imperial.ac.uk/graduation
Arriving late
If you arrive after registration has closed for your ceremony, please make your way to the Information Desk in the Junior Common Room, Sherfield Building, and a member of the team will be able to assist.
After your ceremony
Attend your department’s reception
Passes for department receptions are purchased in advance. Department receptions will start shortly after your ceremony ends and will take place across the South Kensington Campus. Please note that you cannot purchase departmental reception passes on Graduation Day. Find your departmental reception venue!
Photography
Photography will be available in the Ethos Sports Centre, Prince's Gardens, South Kensington Campus between 07.00–22.30. You can visit photography at any time throughout the day, so remember to leave enough time to get to your ceremony or department reception. Please return your gowns to the ground floor foyer, Sherfield Building by 22.45.
Photo opportunities
There are plenty of photo opportunities around the campus on the day, which can be used as perfect backdrops for your own personal photographic memories, including:
Photo opportunity | Location |
---|---|
Graduation flower wall | College Main Entrance |
Imperial College Letters | Dalby Court |
Queens Tower | Queens Lawn |
Queens Tower Lions | Queens Lawn |
Imperial College Mascots | outside the Royal Albert Hall |
Find the perfect Imperial souvenir
Imperial merchandise will be available to buy on Level 2 of the Sherfield Building from 08.00 until 17.00 and at the Royal Albert Hall by Door 6.
Make the most out of being an Imperial alumnus
As an alumnus, you can access a wide range of exclusive services and benefits, including careers support and networking opportunities, membership of Imperial libraries and the chance to keep in touch at events around the world. Visit the alumni stands in the level one foyer, Sherfield Building on Graduation Day to collect your graduation pin. www.imperial.ac.uk/alumni
Share your day
Use #OurImperial to share your photos and memories of your graduation.