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Degree Ceremonies

University of Oxford degrees are conferred at degree ceremonies, and St Hugh’s College presents at around five ceremonies each year (allocated by the University). A list of the current ceremonies can be found on our Degree Ceremony Booking Form. You may graduate in person or in absence, either straight after you’ve finished your degree, or many years later. The booking process differs depending on your status; please see below for more details.

Most ceremonies begin with a registration in College (during which graduands will be able to collect their guest tickets), followed by a briefing from the Dean of Degrees. The ceremony will take place at the Sheldonian Theatre. Morning ceremonies take place at 10.30am; early afternoon ceremonies take place at 1.30pm; and late afternoon ceremonies at 4.15pm. The ceremony usually lasts for approximately an hour and twenty minutes. Graduands will be presented with their degree certificates after the ceremony, and there is usually a celebratory drinks reception held in College on the day.

Dates for ceremonies from now until May 2025 are listed below; please be aware that you may be placed on a waiting list if your preferred ceremony is fully-booked:

• Friday 8th November 2024 (waiting list only)
• Saturday 8th March 2025 (waiting list only)
• Saturday 17th May 2025 (waiting list only)

How to Book

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Current Students

You will automatically receive an email from the University’s Degree Ceremonies team, giving you instructions on how and when to book your degree ceremony.

  • Undergraduate or Taught Master’s students will receive an email towards the end of Michaelmas Term of your final year of study to book a place at a ceremony the following year.
  • Research students will receive an email once you have been granted Leave to Supplicate.

The College Office will communicate with students regarding arrival, gowning, catering arrangements and any charges you may be required to pay approximately a month before the date of your chosen ceremony.

If you wish to attend a ceremony other than the one to which you have been invited, you may ask the College Office to enter your name on the University’s central waiting list by completing the Degree Ceremony Booking Form.

Please note that if you can no longer attend the ceremony date which you have booked, you must inform the College Office as soon as possible, and no later than 60 days before the ceremony. This also includes candidates on the waiting list for a ceremony: if you do not let us know, and are then booked onto a space that becomes available after 60 days before the ceremony, you will not be permitted to cancel.

If you do not wish to attend a ceremony, you may arrange to graduate in absentia; do indicate this on your booking form. Please note that once your name has been put through a graduation ceremony in your absence, you will not subsequently be able to supplicate in person for the same degree. Your name will be added to the next ceremony date at which St Hugh’s is presenting, and your certificate will be posted out to the address provided on your booking form shortly after.

Alumni

Former students wishing to graduate should complete the Degree Ceremony Booking Form and return it to the College Office. Please note that if you can no longer attend the ceremony date which you have booked, you must inform the College Office as soon as possible, and no later than 60 days before the ceremony. This also includes candidates on the waiting list for a ceremony: if you do not let us know, and are then booked onto a space that becomes available after 60 days before the ceremony, you will not be permitted to cancel.

If you do not wish to attend a ceremony, you may arrange to graduate in absentia; do indicate this on your booking form. Please note that once your name has been put through a graduation ceremony in your absence, you will not subsequently be able to supplicate in person for the same degree. Your name will be added to the next ceremony date at which St Hugh’s is presenting, and your certificate will be posted out to the address provided on your booking form shortly after.

 

The Oxford Master of Arts

Students who have graduated with a BA or BFA degree are eligible to receive the Oxford Master of Arts twenty-one terms after their matriculation date for a fee of £105. In Oxford (as in Cambridge), and following longstanding tradition, the status of Master of Arts is awarded as a mark of seniority within the University. Please note the Oxford Master of Arts has no subject or class and is not an upgrade of the BA or an additional qualification.

We are delighted to announce that the University is now able to confer the Oxford MA degree in person again, alongside in absentia conferrals.

To book your Master of Arts conferral, please complete the Degree Ceremony Booking Form and return it to the College Office. The £100 administration fee must also be paid in full no less than 30 days before the ceremony via the University online store.

Sub fusc

All graduands must wear full sub fusc. Sub fusc clothing consists of the appropriate gown, a mortar board or soft-cap, and your preferred items from the following list:

1.    one of:

  • dark suit with dark socks, or
  • dark skirt with black tights or stockings, or
  • dark trousers with dark socks or dark hosiery

2.    dark coat if required
3.    black shoes
4.    plain white collared shirt or blouse
5.    white bow tie or black ribbon.

Members of the University serving in H.M. Forces are permitted to wear uniform together with a gown.

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.

Student Gowns

Commoner’s gown

  • Worn by students taking undergraduate or undergraduate master’s degrees: BA, BFA, BTh, MPhys etc.
  • Black gown of cotton or synthetic material with a turned over collar. It has no sleeves but has a streamer on each side with square pleating hanging to the full length of the gown, which falls to the hip.

Scholar’s gown

  • Worn by students taking undergraduate or undergraduate master’s degrees, and are the recipient of a scholarship (and/or have excelled in their preliminary examinations).
  • Black gown of Russell cord or synthetic material in full style with a gathered stiffened yoke behind and short open sleeves. The gown should reach the wearer’s knees.

Advanced student’s gown (also known as the graduate gown)

  • Worn by those taking postgraduate taught, or postgraduate research degrees: MSc, MBA, MPhil, DPhil etc.
  • Black gown of cotton or synthetic material of the same style as the commoners’ gown, but reaches to the knees of the wearer.


Commoner’s gown (left), scholar’s gown (middle), graduate/advanced student gown (right)

Degree Gowns and Hoods

Graduands are responsible for hiring their gowns and hoods and bringing them to the graduation ceremony. You may be refused admission to the graduation ceremony if you are not dressed appropriately on the day.

The College does not directly liaise with a particular gown company, but you can hire or buy your gown from one of a number of suppliers in Oxford. All items will need to be collected and returned directly to the relevant shop.

Further details about the particular requirements for academic dress during your ceremony will be included on the programme, which will be sent (to the email address provided upon booking) around a month prior to the ceremony.

A series of images demonstrating the graduation hoods for various degree types.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Is it possible to have two degrees conferred at the same ceremony?

Two degrees can be conferred at the same ceremony. If you would like to attend the ceremony, you can only take your most recent degree in person, and the other will be conferred in absence. Your name will be read out twice during the ceremony.

Is it possible to arrange to attend the same ceremony as my friends?

The University cannot arrange for groups to attend together due to space limitations and the dates the College is presenting. However, if you are a current student, you may wish to discuss with your friends about selecting the same graduation date if available, once you have received your email invitation to book your ceremony.

If I am no longer able to attend the ceremony, how do I cancel my booking?

Please contact the College Office as soon as possible if you are unable to attend the ceremony: college.office@st-hughs.ox.ac.uk. The names of all those graduating are submitted to the Proctors 60 days before the date of the ceremony. Once your name has been submitted only the Vice Chancellor can approve a withdrawal (and this is only granted in the most exceptional circumstances). If you do not cancel your booking before the deadline – and do not attend on the day – your degree will be awarded in absentia and it will not be possible to take your degree in person at a later date.

Are there any charges that need to be paid before the ceremony?

There is a £105 administration fee to have the Oxford Master of Arts degree conferred, which must be paid in full to the University before the ceremony. Please make payment through the University online store.

There is no charge for guest tickets or the events held in College.

How many guest tickets can I have and is there a dress code for guests?

Each graduand is allocated two guest tickets for the ceremony in the Sheldonian Theatre, which will be available to collect at the registration in College prior to the ceremony.

There is no dress code, however most guests dress for a formal occasion.

Is it possible to obtain extra guest tickets?

Unfortunately, due to the restrictions of the building, the University cannot offer more than two guest tickets per graduand for the Sheldonian Theatre. Guests who are unable to attend in person will be able to watch the ceremony live via the University’s streaming service; a DVD of the ceremony will also be available to purchase from the University’s online gift shop after the ceremony.

Are children permitted to attend the ceremony?

Children are of course welcome to attend, accompanied by an adult who occupies a ticket of their own. Due to the length and content of the event, and the nature of the building, the University recommends that the ceremony is only suitable for children over the age of six (as a Grade 1 listed building, certain areas of the Sheldonian’s seating spaces are not suitable for children under the age of six). Younger children are welcome to attend, but the parent/guardian should try and sit near an exit, so that they may leave quickly and quietly should the child get restless at any point. Any child aged six and over, or a child who cannot sit on a parent’s/guardian’s lap during the ceremony, will require the use of one of your allocated tickets.

For ticket holders who find it safer and more comfortable, the Sheldonian provides a dedicated family-friendly space – the Cecil Jackson Room – where live streaming of the ceremony is broadcasted. On the day, if you would like to make use of this space, please do seek assistance from the Sheldonian’s stewards who will provide guidance and assistance.

How do I obtain a visa invitation letter for my guest(s)?

Please email the College Office (college.office@st-hughs.ox.ac.uk) with the date of your graduation ceremony and the following information about your guests: names, relationship to you, dates of birth, nationality and passport numbers.

Will a photographer be available at the ceremony?

There will be no official photography at the Sheldonian. Please note: it is not permitted to take photographs with a flash during the ceremony. However, a professional photographer will be present at the celebratory reception held in College for group and individual portraits. Booking in advance is not required.

What should I do if I have access requirements?

Graduands who have access requirements should inform the College Office of their requirements before the ceremony, so that any arrangements can be made in good time.

What should I do if one of my guests has access requirements?

There will be ushers at the entrance of the Sheldonian Theatre to help those who have access requirements – simply let them know what your guest requires upon arrival. It is advised that they arrive at the Sheldonian shortly before the doors open (45 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony), so that any arrangements can be made in good time. The Sheldonian staff will attempt to seat the whole party of your guests together but, as space is limited, this unfortunately cannot be guaranteed.

Will parking be available on the day?

Unfortunately, the College is unable to provide parking. Please use the Oxford City Council Park and Ride service or the Oxford Bus Company runs services along Woodstock Road (city6) and Banbury Road (city2) from Oxford city centre.

Can I obtain my degree certificate before my graduation ceremony?

Your degree must be conferred at a graduation ceremony before a degree certificate can be issued. If you need proof of your degree before the ceremony, please order a degree confirmation letter.

Is there anything that can prevent me from graduating?

The conferral of your degree is conditional on the passing of all required examinations. If you have any debts or dues outstanding to the College or the University you may not be permitted to graduate.

If you are a research student (D.Phil., M.Litt. and M.Sc. (by research)), you must also submit a digital copy of your thesis with the Oxford Research Archive at least 5 days before your ceremony. For more information, see Oxford eTheses.