Graduation FAQs
Coventry University Awards
Graduation
Am I eligible to attend a graduation ceremony?
All students who are enrolled on the final year of their course and are eligible, will normally be sent an email to their university email account inviting them to register.
This is a provisional registration subject to the following:
- You are not blocked by the University due to outstanding debt
- Your award is officially released to SOLAR by Wednesday 11 June 2025.
Results released via AULA or other platforms are not official results.
Please note a registration confirmation does not mean you have no outstanding debt or are eligible to graduate.
If your award is officially released after Wednesday 11 June 2025, you will not be eligible to attend the July graduation and you should disregard your registration. You will be eligible to attend the next graduation event later in the year and you will be sent the registration email closer to the time.If you are eligible to graduate but have not received an invitation to register by early May 2025 please contact Academic Registry.
Students studying at our Collaborative Partners, both overseas and in the UK, will be contacted by our Academic Partnership Unit regarding registration. Please do not contact the Academic Registry team.
You will not be eligible to graduate if:
- You have outstanding resits determined by the Progression and Award Board.
- You intend to enrol on a further stage of your course (e.g. a top-up to honours).
- You have an appeal in progress.
- You have outstanding debt (blocked or excluded).
If you have any outstanding debt that has not cleared by Tuesday 17 June 2025, or you are blocked after the registration deadline, but prior to the graduation ceremony, you will not be eligible to attend and should ignore your registration email. Once the debt has been cleared, you will be able to register for the next graduation event. If your debt is cleared 12 months after your award was released to SOLAR, please contact Academic Registry via email at gradaution.reg@coventry.ac.uk, to confirm your block has been removed.
When can I register for graduation?
When registration is open, you will receive an email inviting you to register for the graduation event via your university email account. Registration will be open from 8 April 2025.
This email will include all the information you need about how to log into your account and book your tickets, gown and photography via Academic Hub.
If you do not receive an email invite to register for your ceremony by 1 May 2025, please contact Academic Registry.
I have purchased tickets but I’m no longer eligible to attend, will I receive a refund?
Students that have purchased guest tickets and are no longer eligible to attend graduation after the registration deadline will receive a refund. Refunds will be processed in accordance with the
When will I receive my degree certificate?
If you have been awarded after February 2025, certificates will be given to you when collecting your tickets and gown on the day of your ceremony.
For those that do not attend, certificates will be posted following the graduation event to the correspondence address. Please ensure your correspondence address is up to date on SOLAR by no later than Tuesday 17 June 2025.
Your correspondence address is where you want your post sent to and it may be different to your term time or home address, so be sure to update the correct one; there is a tick box at the bottom of the screen on SOLAR.
If your correspondence address is not updated by this date and your certificate is returned to us, you will be required to cover the postage costs for resending it.
Please note that the University is not responsible for any certificates not received due to an incorrect correspondence address. In the event that the certificate is lost due to an incorrect correspondence address, you will need to order and pay for a replacement certificate and pay for the postage via the online shop.
After the final graduation ceremony date, estimated delivery times are detailed below:
| Country | Courier | Delivery Time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | Royal Mail | Up to 3 weeks |
| Europe | Air-Mail | Up to 6 weeks |
| Rest of World | DHL | Up to 6 weeks |
If you have not received your certificate, six weeks after the final graduation ceremony date, please contact Academic Registry via email at graduation.reg@coventry.ac.uk to report this.
Please note that it is not permitted for someone else to collect your certificate on your behalf as this is a legal document, even if that person has written consent to do so.
We do not provide electronic certificates.
While you await your certificate, if you require evidence of your award for employment purposes or further study, you have access to your Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR), which is your formal transcript. Find further information about the HEAR.
Higher Education Achievement Report
- The HEAR is an electronic system which allows you to follow your academic progress with a digital diploma supplement/transcript. This is your official transcript which you can share electronically with employers or other universities that you might want to study with. If you have not registered, all you need to do is visit HEAR (Higher Education Achievement Report). You are NOT provided with a printed copy of your HEAR/transcript.
- Log in
- Reset your username and password (it is best to use your personal email address so that you can “take” your HEAR with you when you leave)
- View your Higher Education Achievement Report
If you would like to know more about HEAR, then take a look at our FAQs.
How will my name appear on my certificate?
Your name will appear exactly as it is on your student record. If your name is incorrect or you wish to add a middle name you must provide Academic Registry with a copy of your passport or birth certificate. Please email from your student email account, to enable us to correct your name before the deadline of 7 May 2025.
Important: After the registration deadline we are unable to make any name amendments.
Contact Academic Registry: graduation.reg@coventry.ac.uk.
I am not sure if I have any outstanding debt to the University, should I check?
Yes. Any student who has an outstanding debt to the university will not be allowed to attend the graduation ceremony nor receive their certificate.
If you have any outstanding debt that has not cleared by Tuesday 17 June 2025, you will not be eligible to attend July graduation and should ignore your registration email.
Please note that payments can take up to five working days to go through the system, so if you make payment on the final day of the above deadline it may still be too late. You will also not be allowed to attend graduation, even if you registered, and the block has been entered after the registration deadline but before the ceremony. A registration confirmation does not mean you have no outstanding debt or are eligible to graduate.
For any further queries please visit the finance page.
If your debt is cleared 12 months after your award was released to SOLAR, please contact Academic Registry via email at gradaution.reg@coventry.ac.uk, to confirm you block has been removed.
Can I have my certificate if I have an appeal in progress?
No. If your appeal is still in progress or not concluded prior to the registration deadline your award will not be legally conferred, and you will not be able to have your certificate or attend the graduation event.
Can I defer my ceremony?
No, normally students cannot defer their ceremony. However, if there are exceptional circumstances then you can make a request. Exceptional circumstances, for example, would be hospitalisation, military deployment etc. You would need to send a request to graduation.reg@coventry.ac.uk stating why you are requesting a deferral and provide formal third-party evidence. This must be done prior to the registration deadline. You will be notified of the decision once it has been considered.
What are alumni and how can I update my details?
As a member of our alumni, you will receive regular news about events, reunions and ways to get involved. This includes career assistance, mentoring programmes and further opportunities in work or study. You will also have access to our exclusive alumni platform where you can reconnect with others, share memories, volunteer to mentor others and post and search for jobs and internships.
Ceremonies
Where is my graduation ceremony?
Graduation ceremonies will be held at Coventry Cathedral.
When you collect your tickets, you will be issued a ticket with a number on. You must sit in this seat as this ensures your name is read out at the correct time and that you are congratulated by the presider. If you move from that seat your name will not be read in the correct order and this will impact on the rest of the proceedings.
Once you and your guests are seated you are required to remain there for the entire ceremony.
How do I order my gown?
Gowns, hoods and hats must be ordered online via the Academic Hub.
The deadline for ordering gown hire is 1 July 2025. Therefore, make sure to order your gown before this deadline to avoid higher charges and limited availability. Coventry University is not able to assist with gown orders or questions, therefore contact Ede & Ravenscroft directly for further information.
Contact: Graduation Services
Telephone: 01223 734759
Email: student@edeandravenscroft.com
There will be a small number of gowns available to hire on the day, but these cost more and there is no guarantee of availability. You are strongly advised to book your gown in advance.
Where do I collect my tickets and hired gown from?
Tickets and hired gowns are collected on the day of your ceremony and will not be sent out in advance. Bring photographic ID (ideally your Student ID card) and your gown hire receipt. You must collect your tickets first before collecting your gown. Collect your tickets from the George Eliot building, opposite The Hub. After ticket collection, gowns can be collected from Drapers Hall, Bayley Lane next to St Mary's Guildhall and opposite Cathedral Ruins. To collect your gown, you must present your tickets and gown hire receipt. If you do not have your tickets, you will not be allowed to collect your gown and you will be redirected to the George Eliot Building.
Check our campus map for directions.
When does the desk open and close?
The ticket desk opens two hours before your ceremony start time.
The ticket desk closes 45 minutes before your ceremony the start time. If you don't collect your tickets on time, you will not be allowed to attend the ceremony, as your name will be removed from the order of proceedings. We therefore recommend that you and your guest arrive at Coventry University two and a half hours before your ceremony start time (check the schedule for ticket desk opening times).
Where is photography?
Official photography will be based in Drapers Hall, Bayley Lane next to St Mary’s Guildhall and opposite Cathedral Ruins. After registration has opened, it is recommended to purchase your photography package in advance via Ede & Ravenscroft.
Pre-order photos with Ede & Ravenscroft.
Official photography can be purchased on the day.
Party photo booth and photography can be purchased and located in The Hub.
Coventry University is not able to assist with photography gown orders or questions, therefore contact Ede & Ravenscroft directly for further information.
Contact: Graduation Services
Telephone: 01223 734759
Email: student@edeandravenscroft.com
Accessibility
We want all our graduates and guests to enjoy their special day. For detailed guides to help your plan your day visit, please visit Coventry University AccessAble.
You can also find detailed accessibility information about Coventry Cathedral by visiting the Coventry Cathedral website.
How many guests can I bring?
Each graduand is guaranteed two guest tickets, provided these are purchased before the registration deadline. This is to ensure that all graduands can bring the same number of guests to the ceremony and to make the process fair for everyone.
Additional guest tickets may be released prior to the ceremony, dependent on guest numbers. Students will be alerted to this via email by 23 June 2025. Please do not contact us about extra tickets as we will not be able to provide any information prior to the alert email. If you have not received an email by 24 June 2025, then no extra tickets are available.
Graduating students' tickets are free of charge. Guest tickets are £25 (inc. VAT) per ticket.
You will be able to purchase your guest tickets on the Ede & Ravenscroft website.
After the registration deadline, students that have purchased guest tickets but are no longer eligible to attend graduation, will receive a refund. Refunds will be processed in accordance with the Refund Policy.
Please see the Graduation Ticket Refund Procedure.
All guests, including children and babies, must have a ticket as we have to abide by the cathedrals fire regulations. All guest that are capable must sit in a seat and remain seated throughout the ceremony.
How do I apply for a carer ticket?
If you or one of your guests requires a carer, please email graduation.reg@coventry.ac.uk, providing third party medical evidence. Requests must be made by no later than Tuesday 17 June 2025. The request will be reviewed, and you will be notified of the decision.
Are children allowed to attend the ceremony?
We advise that the ceremony is unsuitable for children under 10, as this is a formal event and everyone must stay seated and remain throughout.
For everyone's safety, under no circumstances can a child be seated on a guest’s lap. Any guests under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Important: To comply with the cathedrals fire regulations, any child regardless of age will require a ticket, including infants in pushchairs. Graduates and guests are seated separately in the cathedral. If you are a graduate, you must therefore have one guest with you who is at least 18 years of age to remain with the child.
Any guests under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all campus locations. If a child is found unaccompanied, the police will be called in line with safeguarding regulations.
Is there a live stream of the ceremony on campus?
No, there is no live stream on campus. We do not encourage graduates to bring additional guests to campus, as there will be no livestream available on-site. However, anyone can watch the ceremonies online via the Graduation website.
How can I get an invitation letter for my guests that will be travelling from overseas?
Should you have any guests travelling from overseas, we would encourage them not to book flights until you have received official confirmation of your award on SOLAR. The university will not be held responsible for any costs incurred by your guests.
If your guests require an invitation letter for visa purposes, please email engagement@coventry.ac.uk after you have registered your attendance. Please do not email the graduation team as we cannot assist with these letters.
Can I get extra tickets?
Each graduand is guaranteed two guest tickets, provided these are purchased by the registration deadline. This is to ensure that all graduands can bring the same number of guests to the ceremony and to make the process fair for everyone.
Additional guest tickets may be released prior to the ceremony, dependent on guest numbers. Students will be alerted to this via email. Please do not contact us about extra tickets as we will not be able to provide any information prior to the alert email. If you have not received an email by 24 June 2025, then no extra tickets are available.
How long does each ceremony last?
Each ceremony lasts for approximately one hour.
What happens if I arrive late?
We suggest you arrive at Coventry University at least two and a half hours before your ceremony start time (check the schedule for ticket desk opening times).
The ticket desk will close 45 minutes before the start time of each ceremony. If you arrive after the desk has closed, you won't be able to attend that ceremony. The graduation team need time to complete necessary preparations. Anyone arriving after the ticket desk has closed will have had their name removed from the order of proceedings. The university is not responsible for any costs incurred if you arrive late and we are not obliged to allow you to attend a later ceremony.
The doors to the cathedral close 15 minutes before the ceremony starts. If you have collected your tickets but arrive late to the cathedral, we reserve the right to refuse entry at this point to ensure the ceremony starts on time.
Can I watch the ceremony afterwards online?
Yes, the recordings of the ceremonies are uploaded to YouTube a few days after the ceremony has finished.
Is car parking available?
Coventry University is a city centre campus and as such does not have any available car parking for events.
However, there are many Coventry City Council car parks available. Further information regarding location, charges and blue badge tariff can be found on the Coventry City Council website here.
We look forward to seeing you and hope you have an enjoyable day!
Disclaimer
In the event that any or all of the Graduation ceremonies have to be cancelled, rescheduled or postponed, Coventry University cannot be held responsible for any costs incurred.
Coventry University graduation ceremonies are considered to be public events. There may be a university photographer present and by attending you give us permission to use any general crowd photos you appear in for marketing purposes.
Coventry University does not accept responsibility and expressly excludes liability to the fullest extent permitted by law for:
- Any loss or damage to any personal property left unattended during an event organised by the university unless caused by the negligence of the university or its employees; or
- Death or any personal injury suffered by you at a university event unless caused by the negligence of the university or its employees.
- We understand graduation can be a very stressful event for you and your guests. However, our staff work extremely hard to try and make it a pleasant experience for everyone involved. We will not tolerate verbal or physical abuse of staff and if this occurs we have the right to remove you and your guests from the graduation event and campus and the University Group we will not be liable for expenses occurred attending the event by you or your guests.
