Please be aware that guest tickets are no longer available for purchase.
Graduation 2024 will take place on Thursday 26th September 2024 at 2pm.
The ceremony will be held at the Mercury Theatre.
Please arrive at the Mercury Theatre between 10.15am and 12noon to allow enough time for registration, gowning, photography and the pre-ceremony celebratory reception.
Your Graduation Day
Tickets will be available for collection on the day of Graduation from the Mercury Theatre (CO1 1PT, or use the what3words reference ///doors.reef.drive) and will not be issued in advance. Once tickets have been issued, they should be treated as cash, it will not be possible to replace a lost, damaged, or stolen ticket.
St Mary’s car park is the closest parking option to the Graduation ceremony.
Purchase pre-paid all day car parking at St Mary’s car park at a discounted rate of £2.95 through the Mercury Theatre website
Make sure to select the correct date, 26th September 2024, otherwise your voucher will not be valid for the day of Graduation.
St Mary’s car park has 11 disabled parking bays. Blue Badge holders have free parking for up to 3 hours in any bay (except LoveurCar bays), when displaying a Blue Badge with the clock set to the time of arrival.
Once you have registered and collected your gown you are invited to enjoy the celebratory pre-ceremony refreshments which will be hosted in the Mercury Theatre Café Bar. All ticketed graduands and guests can show their tickets to receive complimentary food and a drink. Further drinks can be purchased (at cost) at the Mercury Theatre Café Bar.
The Graduation ceremony will be held in the Main Theatre at the Mercury Theatre.
We recommend that you arrive between 10:15am and 12noon to allow time for gowning and photography.
Please note graduands and their guests who arrive less than thirty minutes before the start of their ceremony may not be permitted into the ceremony.
Once the ceremony has started, graduands and guests will not be permitted into the Mercury Theatre.
Guests sit separately and are free to choose from the remaining seats.
The ceremony is expected to last for 90 minutes.
If you haven’t already made plans for after the ceremony, celebrate your special milestone with a delightful dining experience at the Mercury Theatre Café Bar. Take a look at their Afternoon tea options.
Guest tickets will be on sale from 10am on Thursday 1st August 2024.
Do students graduating have to pay for their own ticket?
All graduands are entitled to a complimentary ticket to attend their Graduation ceremony. This ticket must be booked – booking will open at the same time as the sale of guest tickets. This free ticket is not transferable.
Do I have to pay for guests’ tickets?
Yes, guest tickets cost £25 per ticket.
Will I get a refund if I do not pass my resits?
Yes, if you do not pass we will refund all guest ticket purchases to the card used to purchase the tickets. Please do not order gowning and photography until you have passed.
Can I graduate if I am in debt with UCC?
Graduands owing money to University Centre Colchester will not be permitted to attend Graduation. The booking system will not allow you to make a booking if you have outstanding debt.
How many guest tickets am I allowed?
In the first phase of ticket sales, graduands are allocated nine guest tickets costing £25 each (in addition to their complimentary graduand ticket).
Can I bring my children, or younger brother(s) or sister(s)?
Unfortunately, children under five years old will not be admitted to the ceremony or reception. For information on bringing newborns into the ceremony please email graduation@colchester.ac.uk
All guests, aged five and above, will need to purchase a ticket to attend.
Where and when do I collect my tickets?
We will not post out tickets. Please collect your tickets from the Mercury Theatre on the day of your ceremony.
Do I have to wear a gown, hood and mortar board?
Yes, these are required for you to be able to attend your Graduation ceremony. These must be hired from our gowning supplier.
Where is the ceremony held?
The ceremony will be held at the Mercury Theatre.
Is there a dress code for guests?
There is no specific dress code for guests; however, we ask that guests dress smartly for the special occasion.
Where and when do I collect my gown?
Gowns will be available for collection from four hours before your ceremony at the Mercury Theatre.
Where and when do I return my gown?
Gowns must be returned to the Large Rehearsal room (where they are issued) at the Mercury Theatre by 5pm on the day of Graduation.
Where do I go to have photographs taken?
Once gowned, our gowning supplier offers a photography service, at the Mercury Theatre both before and after your ceremony takes place. Family members, who do not have tickets for the ceremony, may join you.
How long does the ceremony last?
Please allow 90 minutes for the ceremony.
Do I receive my certificate in the ceremony?
Yes, for those graduands who do not attend their ceremony, their certificate will be posted to them after the ceremony has taken place.
What happens after the ceremony?
After the ceremony all graduates are welcome to keep their gowns until 5pm that day.
Where can my guests park?
Click these links for a list of local car parks.
St Mary’s car park is the closest to the Mercury Theatre. You can purchase discounted parking for this car park via the theatre’s website.
Are there disabled parking facilities?
Yes, limited disabled parking is available outside the Mercury Theatre. This is available on a first-come-first-served basis.
If you have any questions about your Graduation please contact us – graduation@colchester.ac.uk
