On the day - Graduand Guide

Your graduand e-ticket email contains a QR code which you should use to:   

• Check-in and collect your gown (if applicable) on the day in the Ethos Sports Centre 

• Access the Royal Albert Hall and see your seat number 

• Attend your Faculty Reception (if applicable)  
  
  

Any guest Faculty Reception passes you bought were sent as a separate email, subject line: Guest Faculty Reception passes| Graduation Days 2025. 

Your graduand e-ticket email was sent two weeks before your ceremony. All required information can be found within the body of the email. You need to show the entire e-ticket, so please have this easily accessible on the day. A downloadable version of your e-ticket can also be found via the link in your e-ticket email.  Search your mailbox for the email address: [email protected] or subject line: Graduand e-ticket email | Graduation Days 2025. 

Guest e-tickets are sent by email two weeks before graduation day. Search for the email address: [email protected]. 
For any queries relating to your guests e-tickets please email [email protected] or visit the box office on the day. 

The check-in and gowning area in the Ethos Sports Centre is only accessible to graduands. We kindly ask that your guests wait elsewhere on campus, or in one of the many cafes and bars that are open.  

 Professional photography will be offered by Tempest Photography in the Queen’s Tower Rooms, Sherfield Building, on Graduation Days 2025. 

You can visit photography at any point on your ceremony day. Queues are likely, so you must ensure that you have enough time to get to your ceremony. Academic dress will not be provided by Tempest, so you will need to collect your graduation gown at check-in before visiting photography. Family and friends are welcome to attend event day photography with you if you would like a group photograph. Photography is open as follows: 

For more information about photography for your graduation, please visit our Photography page.

There will photographers from Imperial College London capturing images around the South Kensington Campus and the Royal Albert Hall on Graduation Days 2025. 

Imperial College London uses professional photography to communicate about and promote Imperial and its work. This includes, but is not limited to, publishing images on the university’s website, its social media channels, in its print publications and in other marketing material.
Our photography is stored in Imperial’s Asset Library which can be accessed by members of the university community, who can download images for use in promoting Imperial and its work.
Use of and access to your photo will be in accordance with Imperial’s retention policy.
You can contact [email protected] at any time to stop using your images, or to have your image erased. Alternatively, if you are at an event please speak to the photographer.
To find out more about data protection and your rights please visit: imperial.ac.uk/data-protection

Please arrive at the Royal Albert Hall with your e-ticket and wearing your gown. You should arrive at least 45 minutes before your ceremony starts. Note that the Royal Albert Hall reserves the right to search bags, so be prepared for your bags to be checked. To avoid delays, please do not bring large bags to graduation. Entry to the Royal Albert Hall after a ceremony has started cannot be guaranteed.

Our South Kensington Campus has no cloakrooms or left-luggage facilities, so please do not bring large bags or bulky items with you on the day. During your ceremony, you can use the Royal Albert Hall's cloakroom. To provide a safe and comfortable environment for all visitors, the Royal Albert Hall has a one bag per person policy in the auditorium. Bags should be no more than 25L in capacity (approx. 40cm x 30cm x 20cm). Acceptable bags include regular-sized handbags, satchels, briefcases, and small rucksacks. Any additional bags, or bags larger than allowed, must be checked into the cloakroom at £2 per item.  

Out of respect to graduands and for the enjoyment of all our guests, we ask that you remain in the hall until the entire ceremony has concluded. Please keep mobile devices switched off or on silent mode. The use of flash photography in the Royal Albert Hall and the taking of selfies on the stage are not permitted. 

Graduation is a formal occasion. You should be dressed smartly, and you are welcome to wear traditional or national dress. Shorts, jeans or trainers are not appropriate for graduands or guests. You can learn more about the gowns and hoods worn on the day on our Academic dress page.

If you arrive after check-in has closed for your ceremony, please make your way to the Ethos Sports Centre and make yourself known to a Graduation Volunteer (look for their turquoise volunteer t-shirt) outside the venue. They will take you straight to the late check-in desk inside.  We cannot guarantee entry to late arrivals. 

Family and friends who can’t attend your ceremony can watch you graduate via the live stream on our website: www.imperial.ac.uk/graduation. The live stream will also be shown on a large screen in the Union Concert Hall, Imperial College Union, Beit Quad. This venue is directly next to the Royal Albert Hall so guests can still celebrate with you before and after the ceremony.  
 
Please note the live stream venue will operate on a first-come, first-served basis and doors will open 45 minutes before the ceremony. 

All graduands must follow the guidelines outlined in the Student Code of Conduct when participating in the event.  
 

All bags are subject to search by security personnel on entry to the Royal Albert Hall.  For everyone’s security and safety, the following items are NOT allowed inside either the Royal Albert Hall or in the Faculty Receptions on campus. Anybody found to be carrying any of these items will be asked to leave them with security, or may be refused entry to or removed from the venue: 

• Flags (including items with flags on them such as: scarves, t-shirts etc.)  

• Sticks or rods   

• Confetti cannons   

• Tripods  

• Noisemakers or air horns  

• Alcohol  

• Helium balloons  

• Pyrotechnics  

• Laser pointers 

• Weapons 

• Paint, paint powder or similar substances 

• Any other items that may disrupt the ceremony 

Receptions will start shortly after your ceremony ends and will take place in the graduation marquee on Prince’s Gardens. Please note that passes must have been bought in advance; registration for these is now closed and you cannot buy Faculty Reception passes on your graduation day.

Imperial merchandise will be available to buy at the Student Union shop on Level 2 of the Sherfield Building. There will also be limited merchandise available at the Royal Albert Hall by Door 6.

There are plenty of photo opportunities around the campus on the day, which can be used as the perfect backdrops for your own personal photographic memories. These include: 

Share messages on social media using #OurImperial to see them appear on our screens in the Royal Albert Hall.
Post photos on a public X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram account using #OurImperial to share your memories and your inspirations, and make sure everyone knows what graduation means to you. 

You can return your Ede & Ravenscroft gown and hood to the drop off point in the City and Guilds Building, by the University Main Entrance.  
 
Gown return is open as follows: 

 
Please make sure to return your academic dress on time to prevent any additional charges from the hire provider.  

As an alumnus, you can access a wide range of exclusive services and benefits, including careers support and networking opportunities, membership of Imperial libraries, and the chance to keep in touch at events around the world. Visit the alumni stand at check-in, in the Ethos Sports Centre or visit  www.imperial.ac.uk/alumni to learn more.