Degree days and graduating

You may bring two guests.

Graduands are required to wear academic dress with sub-fusc clothing. Detailed regulations including hire costs will be sent to you once your ceremony booking has been confirmed.

There is no charge to attend a ceremony or luncheon/afternoon tea in College. The only fee is a £50 conferral fee, which is applicable to MA graduands only. All candidates will need to pay for gown hire or purchase their own.

Children 

The Degree Conferrals Office advises that children may attend the ceremony at the Sheldonian Theatre. However, it is important to follow the instructions of the Theatre's Stewards on the day as the following restrictions will apply:-

- Any child who cannot sit on a parent/guardian's lap will require their own Guest ticket.

- Guests with young children will be seated in the Stewards Gallery and away from the front row. This area has easy access to toilet facilities as well as the family-friendly Cecil Jackson room.

- Guests with unsettled children may be asked to relocate to the Cecil Jackson room if the ceremony or other guests are disrupted.  This is a family-friendly, safer and more comfortable room, where live streaming of the ceremony is broadcast.   Please note that Guest tickets are still required to use this room.  Please do notify your college if you think it applicable to your guests. 

NOTE: These restrictions are necessary due to the solemn nature of the ceremony as well as the Sheldonian Theatre being a Grade I listed building, with dated seating areas.  On the day, please seek guidance from the Sheldonian's Stewards who can provide assistance for all Guests. Doors open about half an hour before the ceremony and it is advisable to arrive in good time. Guests will be directed by the security staff on the door.

All children (excluding babes in arms) require a ticket to attend the reception in College.

BA and BFA graduands are entitled to proceed in due course to receive the status of Oxford MA, a mark of seniority within the University, which may be taken seven years following original matriculation (in or after the 21st term from matriculation). This does not apply to those who complete undergraduate Masters degrees (e.g. MBiol, MBiochem, MChem, MEng, MMath, MPhys, etc.). Please note the Oxford MA is about reaching a new status within the University and is not an upgrade of your BA or an additional qualification. It therefore has no subject or class.

A £50 fee is payable for all MA conferrals. MAs are automatically members of the Convocation, conferring certain voting rights (e.g. in the election of the Chancellor of the University). Members of the House who are members of Convocation are also entitled to dine at High Table by implied invitation, and at their own request and modest expense, provided arrangements are made in advance with the Steward's Office.

Graduands of MA, DD, DCL, DM or MCh are asked to kneel in front of the Vice-Chancellor, who touches them on the head with a Bible admitting them using the formula ‘In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost’. You can opt out of this part of the ceremony; however, we need to know in advance. All other degrees are unaffected by this. You cannot request the non-Christian formula on the day of the ceremony.

Gillman & Soame will take official photographs in College after the ceremony. A DVD of the ceremony will be available to purchase online.

Once you have your degree conferred at a degree ceremony either in person or in absentia, you will automatically receive a Degree Certificate. This will be sent to you by recorded delivery. It is essential that you put the address to which you would like your certificate posted on your degree ceremony booking form.

If you have passed your examinations and have not had your degree conferred at a degree ceremony, or if you have attended a ceremony but require proof of your award to present to a third party, you can obtain a digital Degree Confirmation Letter via the University's eDocuments Service. 

The name which you held during your course of study will be the name on the Degree Certificate and Confirmation of Degree statement. The only retrospective changes that can be made are where an administrative error has occurred or where we are required to make a retrospective change under the provisions of the Gender Recognition Act 2004.

If you have changed your name following completion of your course of study (for example, through marriage, or by Deed Poll) and wish to demonstrate to a prospective employer or education institution that your Degree Certificate belongs to you, supporting documentation showing the name change should accompany the Certificate.

Replacement certificates can be ordered through the online University Shop.

Please see the University website for information on on-course and final transcripts.