Tickets are required for guests attending the ceremonies. Graduands are only guaranteed a maximum of two tickets for guests. There is no formal dress code, however most guests dress for a formal occasion. Children are welcome to attend the ceremony, however children aged two and over will required their own seat and guest ticket. Babies and children under the age of two do not need their own ticket if they are able to be seated on a guest’s lap.

Graduands, guests, and staff attending should be aware that graduation ceremonies are regarded as public events. Names, colleges and degrees of graduands are published in the graduation programme unless the graduand specifies they do not wish their details to appear.

Please be aware that by attending a degree ceremony at the University of Oxford, either as a graduand or as a guest, you may be captured in photography or film footage. Note that not all students choose to graduate in person at a graduation ceremony – you can also choose to graduate in absentia.

The ceremony will also be streamed live at the following URL: https://podcasts.ox.ac.uk/odc-livestream so that any family or friends who cannot attend will be able to watch the ceremony as it is taking place.

There is a wealth of information available to graduands and their guests on the University Degree Ceremonies webpage: https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/graduation/ceremonies, including:

• a short video guiding graduands through what will happen on the day
• a digital Degree Day Brochure providing a detailed explanation of the ceremony, complete with a translation of the Latin script
• an extensive FAQ section is also available, should graduands or their guests require further information on everything from dress code to venue accessibility.

Full academic dress (sub fusc) must be worn at degree ceremonies.  Students may wear their preferred items from the following list:

• Dark suit with black socks, or dark skirt with black tights or stockings, or dark trousers with black socks or black hosiery - please note that socks, tights or stockings must be work and must cover the ankle completely, 'trainer socks' are not acceptable
• Dark jacket, if required – to be worn underneath the gown
• Plain black shoes with a dark sole
• Plain white collared shirt or blouse with sleeves
• White bow tie, black bow tie, black full-length tie, or black ribbon

Please note that ‘dark’ in this context means black, a very dark charcoal grey, or very dark blue. All clothing must be plain; pinstripes and similar patterns are not permitted.

When wearing sub-fusc, your clothing must not leave any part of your legs, ankles, or feet uncovered.

The mortar board may be worn out of doors but must be removed and carried indoors.

Ministers of religion may wear clerical dress, with a gown over, when attending ceremonies.

If you wear a head dress / scarf for religious reasons, a black scarf should be worn.

Members of the armed forces may wear service dress under their gown, in place of sub fusc. This is only applicable to members of The British Armed Forces in the UK. Uniform caps should be removed when indoors.

All students, except those having a doctorate conferred, can arrive at the Sheldonian wearing the gown of the degree which they are going to have conferred at the ceremony, and then add the hood at the appropriate time during the ceremony. It is important that all students should bring their mortarboards with them (or arrange to hire one).

Doctoral candidates must wear the gown (and hood) of their current Oxford status to the ceremony (if you have no other Oxford degrees, this means your graduate gown). Candidates then change into the DPhil gown once their degree has been conferred.

It is recommended to hire the necessary gowns which can be arranged through College (and should be paid for on collection - approximate hire cost £50 per gown) or via Shepherd & Woodward. We assume that candidates can provide their own graduate gown and mortarboard unless they tell us otherwise.

The Sheldonian Theatre is a Grade I listed building. Please note that there are no lift facilities and the majority of seats are benches, some without back rests. Guests should be made aware that they may have to climb several flights of stairs to be seated.

Guests need to follow the directions of the stewards as to seating so all guests can be accommodated. The Sheldonian will not reserve seats, even for those with specific requirements. The team are very good at accommodating access requests and can deal with most on the day.

Please see The Sheldonian Theatre’s access guide here.

Guests with limited mobility should make their way to the Sheldonian as early as possible for the time of the ceremony they are attending so that they can be seated first. Once doors have opened, a steward will assist the guest in finding a suitable seat within the venue. There is no need to give advance notice of special requirements unless they require greater assistance.  In such cases, please contact the Graduation Office who will liaise with the Sheldonian Theatre to make appropriate arrangements for you.

For persons unable to manage stairs, there is a toilet on the ground floor. For those using a hearing aid there is a loop system for when the Sheldonian PA system is in use. There are two public disabled parking spaces on Broad Street.

We ask that you and your guests refrain from taking photographs or recording videos during the ceremony.

A digital download of the ceremony will be made available following the ceremony. Further information can be obtained here.

Graduands may like to give a gratuity to the Degree Day Coordinator who attends them at the ceremony.

Once you have your degree conferred at a degree ceremony either in person or in absence, you will automatically receive a degree certificate. This will either be presented to you by the college on the day of the graduation ceremony, or sent to you by post.

If you have not received your degree certificate within three months of the date of your ceremony  and you fail to notify us of this within that period, you will be charged for a replacement certificate. Replacement certificates can be ordered through the University online shop.

Lincoln may be able to offer bed and breakfast accommodation at the Lincoln EPA Centre (mostly single rooms) over the summer period only. Please contact our Domestic Bursary team at domesticbursary@lincoln.ox.ac.uk for availability. A 25% discount is available if you quote the promotion code LINC1427.

Accommodation is also offered throughout the year by University Rooms Oxford.