On The Day

Currently reading: Arriving at the venue

The ceremony 

Each graduation ceremony includes students from specific courses.   

During the ceremony, you will join your fellow graduates on stage to celebrate your achievement and receive your graduation scroll. The order of ceremonies can be found in the printed programme you will receive when you arrive.  

The ceremony lasts about 90 minutes and is followed by a drinks reception. 

We recommend arriving two hours before your ceremony starts. This gives you enough time to collect your gown, take photographs and find your seat. 

If you arrive late, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to cross the stage with the rest of your course group. However, we will do our best to include you later in the ceremony. 

Arriving at the venue

1. Collect your tickets 

Collect your graduate and guest tickets from the Box Office on Level -1.

Please bring: 

  • Your graduation booking confirmation email 
  • A valid photo ID, such as a passport or driving licence 

Additional guest tickets may be available on the day for £25 each. Card payments only. Cash is not accepted.

Graduation venue map of Barbican

2.Put your gown on

Collect your gown from the Choir Room on Level -1. 

Please bring: 

  • Your Ede & Ravenscroft booking reference number 
  • A safety pin to secure your gown 
  • Hair clips to help keep your cap in place 

3. Get your photo taken

Professional photography is available in the Fountain Room on the Ground Floor.

If you have not booked photography in advance, you can still purchase a package on the day.

4. Be seated for your ceremony

Graduates and guests sit in different seating areas during the ceremony.   

Graduates will have an allocated seat. Guests may choose their own seats in the available seating areas.

What to bring on the day

Please bring the following items with you on the day: 

  • Booking confirmation & ID - You will need to bring your booking confirmation email as well as a valid photographic ID e.g. passport or driving license. 
  • Gown and photography booking reference number – Print or download Ede & Ravenscroft booking reference number which you will have received in a booking confirmation email. Please note the photography studio will close at 4:15pm. 
  • Safety pins & hair clips – We recommend bringing a safety pin to help fasten your gown to your clothing. You may also wish to bring some hair clips to ensure your hat fits well. 

Class of 2026 Graduation ceremony booklet

A digital copy of your Graduation booklet is available to download below.

Venue accessibility

If you or your guests have any accessibility requirements, please let us know when booking. We'll do our best to make suitable arrangements.

Please find more travel information and accessibility information on The Barbican's website.

British Sign Language Interpreters 

British Sign Language Interpreters are present at all graduation ceremonies. If you would like seating close to the interpreters, please contact [email protected] before the event.