°µÍø³Ô¹Ï

°µÍø³Ô¹Ï Graduation

Terms and Conditions

It is the responsibility of graduands to read and understand these Graduation Terms and Conditions. Graduands must also advise any guests to familiarise themselves with these Terms and Conditions.

1.  Definitions

1.1 The following definitions will be used in this document:

Graduand/Graduate/Student/You: The graduating student

°µÍø³Ô¹Ï/We/Us: The °µÍø³Ô¹Ï

Graduation: This refers to the ceremony and the reception Ceremony: This refers to just the ceremony and not the reception Venue: °µÍø³Ô¹Ï Cathedral and °µÍø³Ô¹Ï Castle

 

2.  Registration

 

2.1 Registration

 

Registration to attend Graduation will open at 10am on Wednesday 1st July 2026 and closes at midnight on Wednesday 5^th August 2026. Registration is for the ceremonies taking place from Monday 7^th to Monday 14^th September 2026 inclusively.

 

Graduands who register before the deadline of 5^th August 2026 will be entitled to initially purchase two guest tickets and, subject to availability, there will be further opportunities to purchase additional guest tickets after initial registration has closed. The °µÍø³Ô¹Ï will notify all registered students via their registered email regarding the availability of tickets.

 

When booking your place to attend graduation, it is your responsibility to check that all details relating to yourself, or your award, are correct throughout the booking process. If the incorrect award is stated, this will be reflected in the ceremony brochure and the award read out within the ceremony. It could also affect the robe you have booked for your ceremony. Please contact the Graduation Team as soon as possible if anything is incorrect. After the booking deadline it may not be possible for any amendments to be reflected in the ceremony programme.

 

Emails can sometimes be directed to your junk or spam folder. If you believe you should have received an email and have already checked your junk folder, please contact the Graduation Team for further assistance.

 

Graduands are invited to register for Graduation directly via their student email and personal email address and will only be invited to the ceremony in which their department and course are scheduled.

 

2.2      Late Registration

 

Graduands must register to attend their graduation ceremony no later than 5^th August 2026.

Registrations submitted after this deadline will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and are subject to approval by the Graduation Team.

 

In exceptional circumstances, graduands who register after the deadline stated in section 2.1 may still be considered for attendance. However, guest tickets, including additional tickets cannot be guaranteed in these cases. Ticket allocation will be at the discretion of the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï and subject to availability.

 

In the event that graduands miss the registration deadline, please contact the Graduation Team at graduation@lincoln.ac.uk

 

 

3.  Eligibility

3.1 To be eligible to attend a graduation ceremony, graduands must have:

 

• Had their award conferred by a °µÍø³Ô¹Ï Board of Examiners or End Point Assessor on or before 31st July 2026.
• Paid all outstanding academic tuition fees before 31^st July 2026
• Not already attended a °µÍø³Ô¹Ï graduation ceremony for the same

 

Receiving an invitation to graduation does not guarantee eligibility to attend. It is the graduand’s responsibility to ensure they meet all eligibility requirements before the registration deadline.

 

By registering for graduation, you are confirming your intention to attend. However, you must meet the eligibility criteria outlined in Clause 3.1 in order to participate.

 

3.2      Resits

 

Graduands with resits will not be eligible to attend the graduation ceremonies taking place in September as final results will not have been conferred by a Board of Examiners or End Point Assessor and released in time to attend. Graduands will be invited to attend the next available ceremony series taking place in 2027, subject to an award being conferred by a Board of Examiners or End Point Assessor.

 

3.3      Extensions

 

Graduands with extensions and where an award has not been conferred by a °µÍø³Ô¹Ï Board of Examiners or End Point Assessor by the 31^st July 2026, will not be eligible to attend the September 2026 graduation ceremonies. Graduands will be invited to attend the next ceremonies taking place in 2027, subject to an award being conferred by a Board of Examiners or End Point Assessor.

 

3.4      Extenuating Circumstances

 

Graduands with approved extenuating circumstances and where an award has not been conferred by a °µÍø³Ô¹Ï Board of Examiners or End Point Assessor by the 31^st July 2026, will not be eligible to attend the September graduation ceremonies and will be re-invited to the next available ceremony that they are eligible for.

 

Please note; where extenuating circumstances, resits or extensions are approved, the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï will assume you wish to resubmit. In this instance, if you do not wish to resubmit and instead wish to attend the September ceremonies, you must notify the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï in writing no later than 31^st July 2026 by emailing assessments@lincoln.ac.uk confirming your intention not to resubmit and instead accept any final award to which you are eligible.

 

Where notification is not received by 31^st July 2026, the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï will assume you intend to make a re-submission, your eligibility to attend the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï’s upcoming graduation ceremony will be rescinded and you will instead be invited to attend the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï’s next graduation ceremony that you are eligible for.

 

3.5      Debtors

 

Students with outstanding debts to the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï will not be eligible to graduate. This includes attendance at the graduation ceremony and the conferral of awards. To ensure your eligibility all academic tuition fees must be paid in full by 31^st July 2026

 

Failure to settle debts by the specified deadline means you are not eligible to graduate. If you are unsure about your financial status with the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï, please contact payments@lincoln.ac.uk as soon as possible.

 

 

4.  Ticketing

 

The °µÍø³Ô¹Ï graduation ceremonies are ticketed events. Entry to both the ceremony and the celebration reception is strictly by ticket only. This applies to both graduands and their guests.

 

• All tickets must be collected by the graduand on the day of their registered ceremony, from the location specified by the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï.
• Photographic ID is required to collect tickets. Please ensure you bring valid photo identification (e.g. student ID card, passport, or driving licence) with you.

 

The °µÍø³Ô¹Ï reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone unable to present a valid ticket or appropriate ID.

 

 

4.1 Graduand Tickets

 

Graduand tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and may sell out before the booking deadline of Wednesday 5^th August 2026. If tickets are no longer available, you will be invited to attend the next available ceremony series in 2027, provided you contact the Graduation Team in advance to request a deferral.

To collect your ticket on the day of your ceremony, you must:

• Bring valid photographic ID (e.g. student ID card, passport, or driving licence)
• Provide your student number
• Collect your ticket from the location specified by the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï

 

Please note: Tickets will not be released without valid ID and student number. The °µÍø³Ô¹Ï reserves the right to refuse entry to the ceremony and celebration reception if a valid ticket is not presented.

 

4.2      Guest Tickets

 

All graduands who register before the deadline of the 5^th August 2026 are entitled to purchase two guest tickets at the time of booking. Ticket prices are as follows:

• £25 per ticket for 12+
• £12.50 per ticket (2-12)

 

Children aged 1 or under may attend the ceremony free of charge, provided they sit on a guest’s lap. To help us monitor venue capacity, graduands will be asked during the booking process to indicate if they will be bringing a child aged 1 or under. A special ticket will be issued for the child on the day of the ceremony.

 

All guests must present a valid ticket for entry. We reserve the right to refuse admission to anyone unable to provide

 

4.3      Extra Guest Tickets

 

All guests must present a valid ticket for entry. We reserve the right to refuse admission to anyone unable to provide proof of a valid ticket.

 

Due to venue capacity limits, extra guest tickets over and above the standard guest ticket allocation stated in section 4.2 will be subject to availability. The number of extra tickets available for each registered graduand to purchase will be calculated for each ceremony after the initial registration has closed on 5^th August 2026.

 

If extra tickets are available, they will be limited in number and sold on a first-come, first-served basis. All graduands who have registered to attend a ceremony will be notified by email with details regarding extra ticket availability.

• £25 per ticket (ages 12+)
• £12.50 per ticket (ages 2–12)

 

4.4 Ticketing and late registration

 

Allocation of tickets, including graduand, guest and extra tickets, to graduands who register after the deadline of the 5^th August 2026 will be at the discretion of the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï and will be subject to availability as stated in 2.2.

 

4.5 Registered carers

 

Graduands may request a complimentary ticket for a registered carer at the discretion of the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï. Proof of carer status will be required before. Please contact graduation@lincoln.ac.uk with confirmation of the registered carer name and proof.

 

4.6 Special requirements including accessibility.

 

If any graduand or guest has a specific health requirement regarding seating arrangements in the Cathedral, please provide details through the William Northam booking system. The Graduation team will then be in touch should they need to confirm any arrangements.

Any information provided is held securely and only shared with those involved in the running of the ceremony, such as the graduation ushers.

 

Please note, animals are not permitted with the exception of service dogs.

It is the responsibility of students to inform the Graduation Team of any accessibility requirements. If a student fails to register accessibility requirements for themselves or guests in advance of their ceremony the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï cannot guarantee they can be met.

Students should contact the Graduation Team as soon as possible if they have not indicated special requirements on the online registration form.

 

 

5.  Attendance

 

5.1 Arrival times

 

All graduands and their guests must be seated in the Cathedral at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. Graduands who arrive after this time will not be permitted to enter the Cathedral.

 

5.2 Graduands

 

Graduands who arrive late must report immediately to the Ticketing Marquee in the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï Castle Grounds.  Graduands who arrive late will not be permitted as per timings giving in 5.1.

 

5.3 Late guests

 

Late arriving guests will not be permitted entry once the ceremony has commenced.

 

5.4 Children

Children are welcome to attend Graduation Ceremonies; however, the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï advises that these are long, formal events and may not be suitable for babies or young children.

All children attending the ceremony must have a valid ticket. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied at all times by an adult aged 18 or over. Accompanying adults must hold guest tickets. It is the responsibility of the graduand to ensure that any child under 16 is appropriately supervised throughout the event.

Guest tickets are required for all attendees. Children aged 1 year or under may attend free of charge, provided they sit on a guest’s lap and have an “Under 1” ticket. All prams and pushchairs must be stored in the designated “buggy park” within the Cathedral for the duration of the ceremony.

The °µÍø³Ô¹Ï reserves the right to request that an adult temporarily remove a child from the Cathedral if the child becomes distressed or behaves in a manner that disrupts the ceremony or other guests.

Please note that the ceremony will be live streamed on the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï’s website for those who wish to watch remotely.

 

5.5 Behaviour

 

Graduation is a shared, happy occasion and we expect all students and guests to conduct themselves appropriately. Abusive, disruptive and threatening behaviour towards graduands, guests, staff from the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï, the venue, or our suppliers prior to or on the day of Graduation will not be tolerated.

 

The °µÍø³Ô¹Ï reserve the right to refuse entry to Graduation or to ask anyone to leave Graduation if they act in a manner which we deem to be offensive or disruptive to proceedings or to other attendees. No refunds will be available in such circumstances.

 

Instructions from staff both verbally and on screens about behaviour should be adhered to at all times. Failure to do so risks removal from the ceremony.

 

5.6 Ceremony Length

 

All graduands and their guests should remain until the ceremony ends to minimise disruption and to ensure that each graduand’s achievements are honoured in the same way.

 

The °µÍø³Ô¹Ï aims to keep ceremonies to approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes long.

The start and the end of the ceremony is announced by the academic procession. On completion of the ceremony, our new graduates are invited to join the academic procession and we ask that guests join the procession behind our graduates as it is led out of the Cathedral.

 

Guests must remain seated throughout the ceremony, and aisles must be kept clear at all times. If you require assistance or have specific accessibility needs, please inform an usher who will be happy to help.

 

5.7 Mobile Phones

 

All mobile phones and electronic devices must be switched off or set to silent mode during the ceremony. Guests and graduands are asked to refrain from making or receiving phone calls, sending messages, or watching videos throughout the ceremony.

 

Mobile phones are not permitted on stage, and graduands are kindly asked not to use mobile devices while crossing the stage to ensure the ceremony remains respectful and uninterrupted.

 

 

6.  Non-Attendance

 

6.1 Defer

 

Graduands unable to attend the graduation ceremony they have been invited to may defer their attendance the next set of ceremonies. Graduands will fill out the deferral form by 5^th August 2026

 

Graduands who wish to defer their attendance and inform the Graduation Team of their intention to attend a future ceremony will be added to the invitation list for the following ceremony period.

 

 

6.2 Do not wish to attend a ceremony.

 

Graduands who do not wish to attend a graduation ceremony may notify the Graduation Team of their intention not to attend by emailing the Graduation Team graduation@lincoln.ac.uk

 

The Graduation Team will assume that graduands who do not complete the online registration process or contact the Graduation Team regarding their attendance or future attendance, do not wish to attend a ceremony, nor one in the future.

 

Graduands with resits, extensions or approved extenuating circumstances will be automatically invited to attend a future ceremony once their award has been conferred by a Board of Examiners.

 

6.3 Certificates and Transcripts

 

For students awarded on or after 10^th December 2025, your award certificate and transcript are available digitally via the Student Certificate Portal, a secure service that allows you to access and manage your award documents online. Visit https://student.certificates.lincoln.ac.uk/ and log in or register using your details.

 

Through this portal, you can:

• Viewelectronic versions of award certificates and related documents
• Sharedocuments with third parties such as employers or agencies.
• Managewho has access to your documents.
• Requestyour first physical copy of your certificate free of charge (a postage fee applies), order and pay for transcripts and replacement certificates, and report any issues.

 

Portal access is free for the first three months from the date your award is conferred. After three months, a one-time £15.00 fee applies for lifetime access.

 

Please Note: you are advised to access the portal to view and order your documents as soon as possible following receipt of your certificate portal invitation email.

 

 

6.4 Guest Tickets

 

We encourage graduands to only buy the number of tickets that they require for Graduation as tickets are non-refundable. If guests cannot attend following purchase and it is felt that extenuating circumstances apply, please contact the Graduation Team who will review on a case-by-case basis. If successful, the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï will contact William Northam and ask them to refund you.

Guest tickets are non-transferable to any other ceremony or to another student. The °µÍø³Ô¹Ï will not accept any tickets that have been transferred between students at Graduation.

 

6.5 Gown Hire

 

If students are unable to attend and require a refund for gown hire, they must contact the gowning company, William Northam by emailing student@williamnortham.com. Refunds for gown hire which are requested less than seven days before the ceremony series starts are subject to review and are offered at William Northam’s discretion.

 

6.6 Travel and Accommodation

 

We recommend not booking travel or accommodation until you know you have completed your award. We recognise that this is not always possible in the case of international travel, but the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï does not accept liability for any costs or expenses incurred by those due to attend the ceremony.

 

 

 

7.  Gown Hire and Dress

 

• Requirements

 

It is a requirement that all graduands attending their graduation ceremony wear the appropriate °µÍø³Ô¹Ï academic dress. This can be hired or bought from William Northam, the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï academic gown hire company via -

 

Graduands with concerns regarding this requirement, should contact graduation@lincoln.ac.uk for further guidance.

 

7.2 Recommended attire for students

Graduation is a formal occasion and, as your clothes can be seen under your gown, we recommend that you wear smart, formal dress. Graduands are very welcome to wear national dress and Military attire.

 

7.3 Recommended Attire for Guests

 

There is no dress code for guests but as the ceremony is a formal occasion, we recommend that all guests wear smart dress.

 

8.  Graduation ceremonies as a Public Event

 

8.1 Publications

 

The °µÍø³Ô¹Ï’s bi-annual graduation ceremonies held in April/May and September are public events. This means that the names and award titles of all graduands (including those graduating in absentia) are published in the graduation brochure.

 

8.2 Filming and Photography

 

The °µÍø³Ô¹Ï film and photograph the graduation ceremonies. These images are to be used by the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï for use within marketing materials and on the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï website (including social media). By attending graduation, graduands and guests give their consent to the recording and transmission of their images.

 

A professional film recording is taken of all graduation ceremonies. These are streamed onto the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï website and on selected screens on campus as a live broadcast. By registering to take part in the graduation ceremony, graduands are confirming that they and their guests have given permission for their image to be recorded.

 

Other professional photography and videography takes place within our Graduation venues and on campus on behalf of the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï during graduation, which may be used for °µÍø³Ô¹Ï marketing purposes.

Graduands and their guests may also take photographs and film at Graduation. You must not use flash photography or obstruct the view within the Cathedral which may impact professional filming or the experience of other guests. If you are asked to move for this reason, failure to comply may result in removal from the ceremony.

The use of phones or cameras on stage is not permitted.

 

8.3 The Press

 

The local and national press may attend the graduation ceremonies and take photographs and video footage to publish.

 

9.     Health and Safety

 

In the event of an emergency, please follow all instructions provided by °µÍø³Ô¹Ï and venue staff. If you see anything suspicious or concerning, inform a member of the security team or °µÍø³Ô¹Ï staff immediately.

 

For security reasons, bag searches may be conducted at entry points. Large bags and suitcases are not permitted inside the ceremony venue or within the Castle grounds.

 

Lost property boxes will be available at each venue. If you lose or find an item, please speak to a member of °µÍø³Ô¹Ï or venue staff, who will assist with logging or retrieving lost property.

 

10.  Security and Restricted Items

 

Bag searches may take place for security reasons at all venues used during Graduation.

 

There is no cloakroom or storage facility at the venues, and large bags and suitcases are not permitted in the graduation ceremony venue.

 

11.  Data protection and your personal information

 

11.1  Student Data Privacy Notice

 

In accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018, we can only discuss a Student’s Graduation attendance with the student and no one else, unless the student gives us written permission to do so.

 

11.2  Use of Personal Data and Third parties

 

Your contact details for graduation will be taken from our Student Records System. We may need to share some of that data with our partners who help us to deliver graduation and the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï’s Alumni Team. In addition, the names of graduands will be provided to our external supplier for use on graduation products such as graduation t-shirts and hoodies. This does not include award titles or any other information.

 

In line with the Data Protection Act 2018, we only share the details needed to complete the necessary work and your details will not be passed on to any other third parties.

 

12.  Disclaimer

 

• Cancellation / Force Majeure

 

The °µÍø³Ô¹Ï aims to provide the graduation ceremonies as advertised but reserves the right to make alterations to or cancel any event. If a graduation ceremony cannot take place, is delayed or the ceremony time needs to change due to circumstances beyond the control of the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï, including (without limitation) fire, explosion, terrorist act (or threat of terrorist act), act of God, pandemic, national mourning (any member of the royal family), student bookings do not meet or exceed our minimum/maximum capacity, as a result of any industrial action or dispute involving the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï, or the venue at which the ceremony is due to be held, the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï will not be liable for any losses direct or otherwise incurred by the graduates or their guests.

 

12.2  Communication

 

In the event of a cancellation, change of venue or date, the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï will endeavour to notify attendees wherever possible through the contact details given at the time of booking and in addition will announce information on the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï website. Cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances may occur at any time. Attendees are responsible for checking the °µÍø³Ô¹Ï website for the most up-to-date information about an event.

 

It is the graduands responsibility to ensure that their contact details are accurate and kept up to date on °µÍø³Ô¹Ï records.