Skip to main content
About Us
How to Contact Us
Library & Collections
Business School
Student Gateway
Staff Gateway
Expand
Study
Show submenu for Study
Study sub-menu
Undergraduate
Postgraduate
International
Careers, Employability and Enterprise
Wider Student Experience
Show submenu for Wider Student Experience
Wider Student Experience sub-menu
Our Colleges
Enrichment Activities
Student Support & Wellbeing
Welcome and Orientation
Research & Business
Show submenu for Research & Business
Research & Business sub-menu
Current Research
Institutes and Centres
Helping Business
Facilities and Services
Alumni
Show submenu for Alumni
Global Durham
Show submenu for Global Durham
Global Durham sub-menu
World-wide Research and Partnerships
Global Networks and Consortia
Visit Us
Show submenu for Visit Us
Visit Us sub-menu
Open Days and Visits
Attractions
For Schools and Colleges
Location
Search
Search
Open menu
Study
Show submenu for Study
Undergraduate Postgraduate International Careers, Employability and Enterprise
Wider Student Experience
Show submenu for Wider Student Experience
Our Colleges Enrichment Activities Student Support & Wellbeing Welcome and Orientation
Research & Business
Show submenu for Research & Business
Current Research Institutes and Centres Helping Business Facilities and Services
Alumni
Show submenu for Alumni
Global Durham
Show submenu for Global Durham
World-wide Research and Partnerships Global Networks and Consortia
Visit Us
Show submenu for Visit Us
Open Days and Visits Attractions For Schools and Colleges Location
About Us
How to Contact Us
Library & Collections
Business School
Student Gateway
Staff Gateway
Search Durham.ac.uk
Search
Close search
Home
About us
Professional Services
Ceremonies
Congregation (Graduation)
Information for guests
Ceremonies
Explore
Ceremonies
About Us
submenu for "About Us"
News
Events
Congregation (Graduation)
submenu for "Congregation (Graduation)"
Information for guests
Summer Congregation 2022 Timetable
Postponed Winter 2022 Congregation Timetable
Postponed Summer 2021 (UG) Congregation Timetable
Summer Congregation
submenu for "Summer Congregation"
How to Register
Attendance Information
Tickets
Robes
Photography and Film
International Students
Special Arrangements
Name Pronunciation
Accommodation and Travel
Offers
Matriculation
submenu for "Matriculation"
Information for Colleges
Live Streaming
Open menu
About Us
Show submenu for About Us
News
Events
Congregation (Graduation)
Show submenu for Congregation (Graduation)
Information for guests
Summer Congregation 2022 Timetable
Postponed Winter 2022 Congregation Timetable
Postponed Summer 2021 (UG) Congregation Timetable
Summer Congregation
Show submenu for Summer Congregation
How to Register
Attendance Information
Tickets
Robes
Photography and Film
International Students
Special Arrangements
Name Pronunciation
Accommodation and Travel
Offers
Matriculation
Show submenu for Matriculation
Information for Colleges
Live Streaming
Show submenu for Live Streaming
Information for guests
Before the ceremony
Students collect robes.
The Vice-Chancellor (or representative) gives an opening speech.
The Dean of Durham (or representative) welcomes the University into the Cathedral.
During the Ceremony
Students process to the Cathedral approximately 30 minutes before the ceremony.
On entering the main body of the Cathedral guests will be directed by University marshals to seats.
Students collect tickets.
Students give tickets and belongings to guests before gathering for the procession.
Students report for the procession, 1 hour and 15 minutes before the ceremony to be put into order at which point you must leave your guests. Remember to arrange a meeting point with your guests for after the ceremony.
Guests must wait until the Cathedral entrance time. Be aware no shelter for guests is available on Palace Green.
Guests, with tickets, will be directed from the Information Point to the Galilee Chapel entrance of the Cathedral approximately 45 minutes before the ceremony start time. Guests may have to wait in the Galilee Chapel for a short time until the venue is ready.
The ceremony lasts approximately an hour and 15 minutes.
The Presiding Officer gives the closing speech.
At some ceremonies an honorary degree is awarded and a speech is given by a member of the University on the recipient's life and achievements.
Students then stand for the conferment of awards.
Students are called to the stage individually. We ask guests to applaud each group of students rather than each individual student.
Guests will be guided by University marshals to exit the Cathedral following the staff and student processions.
The use of cameras and recording devices is not permitted during ceremonies and no flash photography is allowed inside the Cathedral.
Other activities
A Congregation Information Point will be located on the corner of Palace Green between the Cathedral and Music Department for general enquiries.
The Congregation Fair will be held at a location on campus with Alumni, Refreshments, University Merchandise and Photography stalls for students and guests to enjoy before and after the ceremony.