Morning Congregations

Registration – opens 8.00am – 10.00am Senate House University of Bolton
All students MUST register
We advise you to arrive at least 2 hours before your congregation
You will be given a student ticket with your seat number on the front and your name on the
back – YOU MUST KEEP THIS WITH YOU as when you go onto the stage for your award you
will need to hand this card to the presenter

Gowns Following registration you will be guided to the gowning room to collect your gown
You MUST bring your receipt which was issued to you when you booked your gown with
Wm. Northams
Parents are not allowed to accompany students to the gowning room due to space
restrictions

Photographs
You can have your photographs taken after you have been gowned, parents are allowed in
the photography suite
If you are short of time, please have your photographs done AFTER your congregation
Remember, if you have pre-booked your photographs to bring your receipt with you

Setting off for the Victoria Hall
The Victoria Hall is the setting for the degree congregations and takes at least 15 minutes to
walk (if you are a fast walker). It is therefore advised that you allow 25-30 minutes to walk
to the venue.
When you arrive at the Hall please do not congregate outside of the building or in the foyer
– remember students seats are allocated, guest seats are not and are on a first come first
served basis
Guests do not sit with the students

The Victoria Hall
We cannot allow children under the age of 5 into the Hall, please DO NOT bring them with
you to the Victoria Hall. The congregation last approximately 2 hours and is of a formal
nature and therefore not suitable for small children.
You and your guests must show their tickets in order to be admitted to the Victoria Hall, one
ticket per guest, no concessions.
It is essential that you sit in the correct seat in order to be presented in the correct order.
It is advisable that bags/handbags are left with your guests.
You and your guests must be seated at 10.15am
There will be no admittance to the Hall after 10.30am

The Congregation
Please switch off all mobile phones and pagers
The Audience is asked to stand as the Procession enters the Hall and remain standing
until you are asked to take your seat.
The Chancellor/Vice-Chancellor will address the audience and when the presentation
has finished the graduands will be announced in a prescribed order.
A member of staff will guide the graduands (students) to the stage at the appropriate
time.
Graduands please remember to have your ticket with you
Once on the stage the graduand will stand at the yellow line (on the floor) give their name
card to the Presenter who will announce the name of the graduand.
The graduand will then walk across the stage where the Chancellor/Vice-Chancellor will
congratulate them with a handshake and will pose for an official photograph (taken by a
Northams photographer) and time permitting a photograph by your guests (it is
therefore advisable to know where approximately your guests have chosen to sit).
The graduand will then be guided back to their seat.
Following a closing speech the Academic Procession will leave the Hall. Guests and
graduates exit after the academic procession has left the Hall and should then make
their way back to the University for the reception.
The ceremony will last approximately 1.5/2 hours and you are asked to remain in the
Hall for the entire Congregation to avoid disturbing other guests.

The Reception – Student learning Zone, Chancellors Mall, University of Bolton
Once the Congregation has finished and the platform party have left the building
Graduates and guests will be asked to make their way to the Student Learning Zone at
the University of Bolton where drinks are served and entertainment provided. The
reception will include alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Degree Certificates – Student Centre, Chancellors Mall
Certificates can be collected after your congregation from a desk in the Student Centre –
Chancellors Mall. ID is required in order to collect your certificate. Acceptable ID is:
UOB Student ID card, a photo driving licence or a passport. We are unable to release
certificates to students who do not bring the appropriate ID on the day. Certificates will
ONLY be released to the student and not to a third party. All other certificates are
posted to you within two months of the date of your award. If you have not received
your certificate and it has been longer than two months please contact
SDMEnquiries@bolton.ac.uk

Returning your Gown
Gowns must be returned to room D1.006 by 5.30pm
Congratulations from all at the University, we hope that you enjoy your special day.