Certificates for those graduating in absence will be posted after the ceremonies to the address confirmed during Formal Registration. Updates can be emailed to graduation@reading.ac.uk

Standard services are: 

UK: Royal Mail 48-hour, 2-3 working days 

International: Royal Mail International Tracked & Signed, 5-7 working days outside Europe, 3-5 working days within Europe 

Private Courier Services can be purchased, but must be done prior to the last date of the current set of graduation ceremonies. 

If your address can be written in a non-Latin script, confirm in English via Formal Registration and email the local language version (e.g., Chinese, Thai, Arabic) to graduation@reading.ac.uk

Due to the space limitations of our historic Great Hall, each graduand may apply for up to two guest tickets during Formal Registration. Priority is given to those who completed the Expression of Interest process.  

Guest tickets are distributed on the ceremony day as wristbands, available 2 hours prior to the start of your ceremony at Wristband Collection Points. Guests may collect wristbands without the graduand being present, provided the graduand has completed registration. We recommend that they have your student number to hand to ease collection.  

If extra tickets are available, they will be distributed  at the Wristband Collection Points from 2 hours prior to the start of your ceremony on a first come first served basis on the day (maximum of two extra tickets per student). 

There is no limit on the number of guests able to celebrate with you on the day. Livestream room facilities will be available on both the London Road and Whiteknights campuses on a first come, first served basis for those guests without tickets to the Great Hall to watch your ceremony live. 

Guest tickets are free, and graduating students do not need a ticket. Ticket allocations will be confirmed by email shortly after registration closes.  


For family and friends unable to travel to Reading on the day, the ceremonies will be livestreamed via this webpage. 

Your name on certificate:  

We strongly recommend that the name on your certificate matches your passport and/or other legal document (BRP) exactly.  This is to avoid verification issues, especially if you plan to work overseas. Please note that name changes after graduation are only permitted in exceptional cases, such as gender identity changes. Titles and block capitals are not permitted. 

If you request a name change, you will be required to provide evidence of this. 

Pronunciation: 

If you are worried about the pronunciation of your name during your ceremony, you have two options: 

Before the ceremony – Email the correct pronunciation to graduation@reading.ac.uk

On the Day – Inform your Processions Marshal (in the Processions Marquee), who will relay it to the Orators.  


Preferred name to be announced during the ceremony: 

Your certificate must match your legal name, but you may choose to be presented under your preferred name during the ceremony. To arrange that, please email graduation@reading.ac.uk 

Graduation is a formal event requiring guests to remain seated for up to an hour. While children are welcome, those aged 2 and under do not need a ticket but must sit on an adult’s lap. Children 3 and over requir e a guest ticket. Children under 18 must be accompanied at all times. This means that graduands cannot bring guests under 18 without an additional adult present . We recommend the Livestream rooms for guests with young children.

If you are coming to graduation you will receive your certificate on the day during the ceremony at which you graduate.

If you register to graduate in absence your certificate will be posted to the address you provided during graduation registration. If you need to update this address after registration please email us at graduation@reading.ac.uk as soon as possible. Updating your address elsewhere on RISIS will not update the address we hold for the posting of your degree certificate

If you register to defer your graduation then your certificate will not be produced until our next set of ceremonies in December 2025. It is University policy that a student cannot receive their degree certificate and diploma supplement documents until they have formally graduated, be that in person or in absence. If in the meantime you have passed your programme and require proof of your qualification (e.g. for entry to a programme of further study at another university) you can contact the Student Services Reception team via studenthelp@reading.ac.uk and request an Academic Transcript document.

We have a wealth of experience in working with students to ensure you and your guests can enjoy your day fully, but we do need to know about your requirements so we can offer options for your ceremony and put plans in place 

The ceremony is accessible, and the ramp to the stage (for students) will be in place. Wheelchair spaces must be booked in advance so we can ensure there is sufficient space for you or your guest in the seating area. 

If you or your guests have any disability or mobility issues, or any other concerns about your ceremony, please email graduation@reading.ac.uk so we can work with you and make any necessary arrangements as soon as possible.  

Alternatively, students can contact the Disability Advisory Service directly. 

Student/Guest disability or mobility difficulties deadline can be found on our key deadlines page. We may not be able to accommodate requests received after these dates. 

After completing Formal  Registration, you will receive a confirmation email. If not received within 24 hours, email graduation@reading.ac.uk

The confirmation will provide details on gown hire and other essentials.

If you registered to graduate in absence, your certificate will be posted out to the address you confirmed following the ceremonies.

If you registered to defer your graduation, you will start to receive emails concerning the next set of ceremonies in due course.