The ceremony

You need to be in your seat 45 minutes before the ceremony is due to begin to allow time for checks to be made and for any security arrangements to be followed. Once checks have commenced, it will not be possible to admit any graduands into the Hall so please ensure you plan to arrive in plenty of time.

You must occupy the seat that corresponds with the seat on your admission ticket. Your ticket will be clearly marked ‘GRADUAND’ and will indicate the Stalls or Choir Stalls, and the Row and Seat in which you must sit (eg STALLS, ROW B, SEAT 23, or CHOIR STALLS, ROW X, SEAT 23). Your seat in the Hall will be clearly marked and staff will be on hand to show you to your seat when you arrive.

It is important that you do not move from your allocated seat position even if there appears to be an empty seat next to you. If you fail to occupy the correct seat you will be recorded as 'absent' and you may not be correctly presented for your degree.

Make sure you identify which is your ticket and which are for your guests before arriving at the Hall. Tickets for guests will be clearly marked. No admittance to the Hall will be allowed without a ticket of admission.

If you haven’t already, please let us know if you or any of your guests have access requirements.

Venue details

Philharmonic Hall

The Philharmonic Hall does not allow guests to bring bags any larger than a standard handbag into the main auditorium. Please do not bring larger bags or suitcases to the ceremony. Random bag searches may also occur.

If you have any questions about the time of your ceremony taking place in the Philharmonic Hall, please contact the Graduation Team on gradenq@liverpool.ac.uk. Please be aware the team is receiving a large number of queries at the moment but will endeavour to respond as quickly as possible.

Ceremony recording

The video coverage of your ceremony is available to view live via the website or YouTube. 

Dress code

The graduation ceremonies are formal occasions and it is respectfully requested that graduands and guests dress appropriately for the occasion. Suggestions for appropriate attire underneath academic robes would be a shirt and tie, or a skirt/trousers and shirt/blouse. Footwear should also be formal although you should be aware that, if you are able to, you will be required to use stairs when being admitted to your degree - please therefore choose your footwear carefully.

You are also reminded that all graduands are required to wear their mortar boards throughout the proceedings and not just when you are presented for your degree.

Security arrangements

For the safety and security of all, we’ll be conducting searches prior to admission to each ceremony. We would like to remind you that the following items will not be permitted inside the Cathedral and we are unable to store or take responsibility for the safekeeping of refused items:

• Rucksacks or suitcases
• Any pyrotechnic, aerosol, horn, whistle, loudspeaker / hailer or spray device. This includes party poppers, glitter and confetti
• No drinks or food other than sealed plastic bottled water. If you require specific food for medical reasons this will be permitted. Please note that alcohol is not permitted under any circumstances
• Flags, banners, posters or placards of any size or description
• Balloons
• Any item that the security team believe could cause offense, disruption or be used as a weapon.
• Any person found attempting to bring an illegal item into the building will immediately be reported to the police.

We want everybody to have a safe and enjoyable experience. Please note that we have a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of violent, disruptive or abusive behaviour. If it is considered that an individuals behaviour is causing disruption to other guests, or we feel presents a safety risk to themselves or others, appropriate action will be taken and this may include ejection from the venue.

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