Guest tickets for Graduation 2012

**GRADUATION ONLINE BOOKINGS** to open in May 2012

Graduation Guest Ticket Policy 

Do I have to pay for guests tickets?

Yes, guest tickets can be purchased for £15.00 each and can only be purchased online when booking your place at the Graduation ceremony. Phase 1 of online bookings will be open from 3 May 2012 (10am) until  22 June 2012 (5pm).  Phase 2 will be open from 25 June 2012 (10am) until 4 July 2012 (5pm).

How many guest tickets am I allowed?

All eligible students will be able to purchase up to 3 guest tickets each. All guest tickets must be booked online.

Can additional guests attend Graduation?

Additional guests can visit the Colchester campus with you on the day of your Graduation, but will not be able to enter the ceremony or departmental reception without a guest ticket. The Graduation ceremony will be screened live in the Lecture Theatre Building (LTB 9 & 10) and any guests without tickets are welcome to use this facility to watch the ceremony. This service is available free on a first-come, first-served basis.

Will there be an opportunity to purchase more guest tickets?

Once bookings close on 22 June 2012, any surplus tickets will be available to purchase online, on a first-come, first-served basis in Phase 2 of the online booking system which opens from 25 June to 4 July 2012.  The availability of guest tickets for specific ceremonies will be advertised on the Graduation website.   

Can I bring my children, or younger brother(s) or sister(s)?

Children aged 5 and over are welcome at Graduation but every child must be accompanied by an adult, who is responsible for the child's behaviour whilst on Campus.  Crèche facilities are very limited and we recommend you make your own arrangements if you need childcare.  Details about crèche facilities can be obtained from the University's Day Nursery on (01206) 873224.

The specific arrangements for children to attend the ceremony are detailed below:

• Ceremony - Children under five years of age will not be admitted into the ceremony.  Children aged 5 and over may attend the ceremony accompanied by an adult and must have a ticket purchased for them. There are no discounts for children's tickets. Please note, it is not possible to leave the ceremony once it has started; the ceremony will last for approximately 1.5 hours.

• Live Screening in the Lecture Theatre Building - Children of any age can visit the live screening of the ceremony in the Lecture Theatre Building accompanied by an adult. The ceremony will be screened free of charge and it is possible to leave the room during the ceremony, if your child is unsettled.  We recommend this option as more suitable for younger children.

Will I get a refund if I fail to, or decide not to, attend the Ceremony?

If you wish to cancel your guest tickets, you must do so in writing to the Graduation Office (by e-mail: graduation@essex.ac.uk or by letter) by 5pm on Wednesday 4 July 2012.  All refunds will be processed after Graduation at the beginning of August 2012.  It is very important that you keep your external email address and home address up to date via myessex.

For students who become ineligible to receive an award, as determined by the Board of Examiners, they will automatically receive a refund. 

Please refer to the Graduation Guest Ticket Policy  for further information.