BPP University Graduations | Preparing For Your Graduation

 

✅Use this handy checklist to make sure everything’s sorted before you celebrate. 
Booking & confirmations

Complete your bookings: Make sure you’ve registered your place and arranged your gown rental. See our step-by-step guide here.

Keep your confirmations handy: Save your graduand ticket and your gown/photography confirmation emails—have those QR codes ready to show on arrival.

Guest tickets

Purchase guest tickets for all family and supporters joining you—this includes children aged 4+.

Buy only what you need: Tickets are non‑refundable, so purchase the right number for your party. See the booking guide here.

Share tickets in advance: Please send each guest their ticket—they’ll be scanned separately on arrival.

Visas (if needed)

For you: If you require a visa to attend, start the process with the guidance here. Note that BPP cannot sponsor your visit.

For your guests: If your family or supporters are visiting from abroad, they may also need a visa—details here.

Arrival time

No need to arrive early— arrive at any time within the times specified on your confirmation email. If you want the most time for gowning, photography and to enjoy the pre-ceremony reception, aim for the start; if you’re skipping the reception, please arrive no later than one hour after doors open – this will ensure you have enough time to complete registration, gowning and photography before the ceremony hall doors open.

Running late? We may assume you’ve chosen not to attend and you could be removed from the running order, so please allow plenty of time.

Dress code

Graduation is a formal occasion, so please wear smart attire.

Cultural dress is welcome for you and your guests, provided it does not include a flag as an integrated part of the outfit. Pins, badges or broaches showing flags are acceptable if it is not intended to cause offence.

We recommend that outfits worn by graduands contain a button at chest level, to help secure the graduation hood in position. We also recommend that you bring safety pins and hair grips to secure your hood and hat. On arrival on graduation day, graduands will be assisted with gown fitting by staff from Ede & Ravenscroft. It is mandatory to wear this to enter the ceremony hall and cross the stage.

Travel & arrival planning

Our venues are city centre locations—plan your journey carefully.

Public transport is recommended as parking is limited and traffic can be busy. Check for planned travel disruption in advance.

Travel advice: London (Central Hall Westminster)—see guidance here | Manchester (Bridgewater Hall)—see guidance here

What to bring (and what not to)

Venues operate standard event security measures—please bring minimal belongings. Large bags or suitcases may be refused at security. Consider offsite luggage storage if needed.

 

Please bring the following to your graduation:

Photo ID (e.g., Student ID card, Passport or Driving Licence) for check-in.

Your Eventbrite ticket(s) with QR code — either the e-ticket on your phone or the printed PDF emailed to you. Have these ready to scan at the door and at registration to collect your wristband.

Gown order confirmation and, if applicable, your photography confirmation (provided by Ede & Ravenscroft).

Safety pins and hair grips can be useful in some caseto help secure your gown, hood and mortarboard.

Comfortable shoes suitable for walking and photos (some graduands bring a second pair).

 

Items not permitted: Download a PDF copy here.

Animals (except certified assistance dogs)

Food and drink, including snacks (bottled water is permitted)

Glass bottles or containers

Alcohol

Confetti and party poppers

Celebratory aerosol devices such as Silly String

Helium filled balloons

Any clothing or items with contentious slogans

Flags, banners and signs

Noise-making devices (such as vuvuzelas and megaphones)

Explosives and fireworks

Flares TVs and big screen devices

Drones and radio transmitters

Flammable substances (such as fuel)

Laser pointers and strobe lights

Dry ice

Sports bats, clubs or stick-type equipment

Knives and cutting instruments

Firearms and ammunition

Paintball guns

Power tools and larger hand tools

Accessibility (provisions for those with a disability)

If you told us at booking: We’ll contact you at least 3 weeks before your ceremony if we need clarification.

If you need to add/update needs: Raise a case via query form in the Hub (select Graduation and Certificates). No longer have Hub access? Raise a support ticket.

Venue information: London (Central Hall Westminster)— guidance here. Manchester (Bridgewater Hall)— guidance here.

Important: If you require provisions listed in the venue guidance—or any other adjustments—and didn’t specify these at booking, contact BPP as soon as possible. We may need to adjust ceremony logistics or seating, and BPP will liaise with the venue on your behalf if required.

Bringing children

Children are welcome, though the event can be noisy, long and tiring for very young children or babies, so you may wish to make alternative arrangements so you can relax and fully enjoy your special day. Graduands with very young children or babies are encouraged to arrange childcare elsewhere where possible.

Key things to know: Children must be accompanied by an adult family member or guest known to you who holds a purchased guest ticket.

Seating & location: Children sit with guests (family and supporters) in the guest seating areas. To minimise disruption, movement between these areas is restricted once the ceremony begins—please arrive in good time and be seated before the start. Children cannot sit with the graduand, and you cannot cross the stage with your child.

Tickets for children: Children aged 4 and over require a guest ticket. Children who do not have a ticket will be required to sit on the lap of their supervising adult for the duration of the ceremony.

Keeping the ceremony comfortable: Please make arrangements in advance to help your child remain calm. If a child becomes distressed, the supervising adult should step out to the hallway until they are settled, then return.

Pushchairs/buggies: Lifts are available for those with pushchairs—however they can be very busy at peak times. Please allow extra time and follow steward directions to the most suitable lift routes on the day. For everyone’s safety, do not carry pushchairs/buggies on stairways. If lifts are busy or temporarily unavailable, ask a steward for an alternative step‑free route or assistance, or use the designated pushchair storage area if provided at the venue. Please follow steward and venue safety instructions at all times.

For helpful tips, read our children at graduation guide here.

Sharing the moment (Livestream)

Have family or friends who can’t make it? We’ll livestream the ceremony. Share the below link and your ceremony time from our On The Day page.

https://www.mygraduationfilm.com/bpp-live/