Graduation: Ceremony Etiquette + Essential Tips
Graduation is a major milestone for our students and staff. It’s a day to celebrate your achievements with your loved ones. To ensure everything runs smoothly, please read these key guidelines carefully before your big day.
With over 400 graduates and 800 guests per ceremony, campus will be vibrant and busy. Plan to arrive 90 minutes before your ceremony start time. This gives you time to collect your pre-booked gown at the U Building, give your guests their tickets, and complete check-in at The Helix to get your own assigned seat.
Top tip: Only guests with a ticket are allowed entry to The Helix - arrange to meet them outside in good time.
When you arrive at the Helix, make sure you are wearing your academic robe before entering, then go straight to the First Floor to be marked present and receive your assigned seat - you will be seated with your classmates in alphabetical order. Remember that to ensure each ceremony starts promptly, check-in will close 30 minutes before ceremony start time. Anyone who has not checked in by this time will be deemed absent, and your name will not be called from the stage.
Top tip: Make sure to double-check you are in the correct seat when you take your place in the Mahony Hall - otherwise you will be out of sequence, and miss your chance to walk across the stage.
Each ceremony begins with the Academic Procession and DCU Anthem. Follow the instructions from our venue stewards. It is essential that you remain in your seat until our Master of Ceremonies sends you to line up at the side of the stage. When your name is called, walk confidently across the stage, collect your parchment, and return directly to your seat. Please remain seated and quiet for the remainder of the ceremony to give every graduate the same respect and appreciation you received during your own special moment on stage.
Each graduand will receive two guest tickets at the U Building when you collect your robes. Due to capacity in the Mahony Hall, there are no additional tickets available. Your guests will be assigned seats in the guest section, separate from the graduates. They should take their seats at least 30 minutes before the ceremony start time - after this time, entry is not guaranteed, and seats may be reallocated. To show respect to everyone at graduation, we ask that all guests remain seated for the full ceremony (approx. 90 minutes) and follow the guidelines of our Master of Ceremonies from the beginning.
Got more questions? Everything you need to know can be found on the graduation Q&A webpage, or you can get in touch directly with the graduation team at graduation@dcu.ie.