If you're planning an overnight stay before or after your graduation ceremony, there are a wide range of hotels in the area.
The Career Development Centre gives recent graduates free careers advice and help with interview techniques, CV writing and completion of applications forms. This is available for all University of Derby graduates for up to three years after completion of their studies.
The ceremony you'll need to attend is shown on your invitation email. It is not possible for you to change your ceremony allocation.
If you're attending the award ceremony you'll receive your certificate as you leave the stage at the award ceremony.
If you decide not to attend your ceremony, you'll receive your certificate by post after the ceremonies have taken place. All certificates will be sent to your home address. Please make sure you let us know you're not attending and confirm your home address via UDo.
We issue one copy free; if you require additional copies please visit our online shop.
We suggest that small children don't attend the ceremony as it's a formal occasion. However, if you're bringing a child, you'll need a guest ticket for those aged 3 and over. Unfortunately, we can't guarantee a separate seat for children under 3.
Please note: If you or your guests bring children in a pushchair we cannot guarantee space in the venue for pushchairs.
A cloakroom is provided at the arena on the day of the ceremonies, there will be a charge of £1 per coat.
If you want to buy something to remind you of your time at Derby, we'll be selling commemorative items at the arena before and after each ceremony.
A graduation brochure which names graduates eligible to attend is produced. If you don't want your name to appear in the brochure, please email graduation team at graduation@derby.ac.uk.
Please help us to meet your requirements by stating clearly when you order your tickets whether you or any of your guests have disabilities we should be aware of. You can request a reserved parking space if you or any of your guests are a blue badge holder, please ensure you select this when you order your tickets. Please note that, because of the nature of the event, we inevitably receive a great number of these requests - the car parking space will usually be a 'normal' size parking space rather than a wide disabled parking bay.
For any graduands with mobility problems there is a lift to access the stage available at the award ceremony. Please contact the Graduation team on graduation@derby.ac.uk if you have individual requirements or needs and we'll endeavour to help you.
Please wear formal dress (no jeans or casual trousers). The University colours used on the gown hood are mainly light blue and red.
We strongly advise students to hire the formal ceremonial wear (gown and hood), as this adds greatly to the occassion and enjoyment of the day. Almost every graduate will choose to hire a gown. To order the correct gown you'll need to measure your head circumference, chest and height. You'll also need to know the level and name of your award. The Ede & Ravenscroft website will guide you to select your gown. Gowns can be hired from Ede & Ravenscroft (Academic Dress) you can order online at www.gownhire.co.uk (you'll save £5 by ordering online), by telephone or by post.
Please remember to bring your confirmation slip with you on the day.
Enquiries should be made directly with Ede & Ravenscroft on +44 (0)1223 861854. To order your gown you'll need your ceremony number as confirmed in your invitation email. Please consult the Awards Ceremony itinerary for times and location of gown collection.
Gowns can be returned after your ceremony at the arena by 5.30pm or at the Pride Park stadium after you've had your photographs taken. If you have not been awarded and not eligible to attend the July award ceremonies, Ede & Ravenscroft will refund your hire payment, provided that they receive your claim for refund 7 full days before the date of your ceremony.
The Honorary awards are made to individuals carefully selected by the University. Honorands are deemed to have made an outstanding contribution to their field and have a connection to Derbyshire or the University.
Your invitation will be sent to you in early April for July Ceremonies and early October for November ceremonies. This will be sent to your Unimail and any other active email address we have on record for you, so please make sure we have your up to date email address, this can be changed via UDo.
Your invitation will include links to full information about the ceremonies and how to obtain tickets.
If you receive an invitation and know that you won't complete your course of study in time then please disregard it, you will be invited to a future ceremony.
If you were expecting an invitation but don't receive one, please email graduation@derby.ac.uk as soon as possible.
If you don't wish to attend your Ceremony, please select the Non-Attendance option online and confirm your name and address for certificate posting purposes.
Please note if you have an AED or EEC in place which gives you an extension to your coursework hand in date you'll need to check with your tutor to ascertain if they will be able to mark your work and process your award in time for the ceremonies.
If you arrive late, you should report to the registration desk at Derby Arena immediately. We may be able to change the ceremony listings so that you can cross the stage at the end of the presentation.
Photographs may be ordered in advance from Ede & Ravenscroft (Photography). You can also order on the day, although this may increase your queuing time.
On the days of the Ceremonies photographers will be located at Derby Arena and the Pride Park Stadium next door. Photography at Derby Arena will be limited. Photography will be available at the Pride Park stadium until 6.30pm.
If you would like a group photograph of up to six people, please ask for details of this service on the day.
All enquiries should be made directly to Ede & Ravenscroft on 01223 861854 or email photography@graduation-services.co.uk.
Our press office is on the lookout for interesting news stories that involve student research and academic success. If you'd like to tell the Press Office at the University about your final year work contact them on 01332 591942 or email pressoffice@derby.ac.uk - you could be our next media star!
If you have any queries or problems on the day please look for a member of staff in a maroon gown.
Please ensure you register immediately upon arrival at the Arena. The registration desks will close 30 minutes before the start of the ceremony so please ensure you arrive in plenty of time.
There will be signs together with coloured balloons/banners to indicate your registration desk, which will be notified to you on your ticket letter.
If you don't register your attendance your name will not be called out for you to cross the stage.
Students who have purchased tickets but fail to meet the eligibility and attendance criteria will be automatically refunded their ticket purchase after the ceremonies have taken place.
All other refund requests must be made via email to graduation@derby.ac.uk.
There will be a special service of Evensong at Derby Cathedral. The service will celebrate the work of the University of Derby at the beginning of graduation and awards week. The service will be attended by representatives of other faiths, and will include a reading and prayers from those traditions. All are welcome.
Graduands don't have to pay to attend the ceremony. The guest tickets are priced at £15 each. Please refer to your invitation for further details or email graduation@derby.ac.uk.
Anyone with a UK address will have their tickets mailed to their home address and anyone with a overseas address will collect tickets on the day at the arena.
Derby Station is located just a short walk away from the venue. We provide a courtesy bus between the Pride Park entrance at the station and the venue before and after the ceremonies.
The Arriva buses service Park and Ride, 4 and 4A runs from the bus station and takes 8 minutes to a stop a 1 minute walk from the venue.
Car parking is limited at the rear of the Arena, as spaces are reserved for blue badge holders (disabled parking). There is car parking in front of the Arena and at the pride park stadium.
First Sight Media stream our ceremonies live on our website. You can also pre-order your DVD, Blu-ray or Clip of the day on there website. Make the memories last forever.