We're looking forward to our summer graduation ceremonies.
Your graduation day is an opportunity for you to celebrate the incredible accomplishments that you have all worked so hard to achieve. Explore below all you need to know about your graduation, from what to do before the special day, to the venue and what to expect on the day.
Essential planning
Travel – Remember to account for the time you’ll need to get to your ceremony, collect your tickets, pick up your gown and have any photographs taken. Give yourself plenty of time to ensure it runs smoothly.
Accommodation – When planning travel, if overnight accommodation is needed, please remember to book this in advance too. Make sure any travel and accommodation you book is fully refundable, just in case your plans change.
Visa assistance – You can find more information on visas and graduation in our article Visa assistance for your graduation ceremony.
Special requirements – If you or your guests have any special requirements to ensure you can participate fully in your ceremony, please let the graduation team know. This can be done up to 10 working days before your ceremony via the booking platform or by completing the Ceremonies & Events contact form.
Final confirmation email and guest tickets – You'll receive final details regarding your ceremony a few days in advance of the event.
If you have ordered guest tickets for ceremonies at the Royal Festival Hall, these will be sent by email prior to your ceremony (reminder to check your junk mail). Please forward this email to your guests who will need this on the day to gain entry to the auditorium.
For ceremonies at Southwark Cathedral you will collect any guest tickets on the day.
What should I bring with me?
Photo ID – Most importantly, remember to bring a form of photo ID with you. This can be your King’s student card, passport or photo driving licence. You will need ID to collect your graduate tickets and book in on the day of your graduation ceremony.
Proof of tickets – If you have booked any guest tickets for a ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall, you will need to show the email at the venue. This email does not have to be printed and can be shown on a phone or tablet. For ceremonies at Southwark Cathedral, you just need to show your ID to get your graduate ticket and any guest tickets.
A camera or phone – Be ready to capture the moment and memories with your friends and family (but remember to put phones into silent mode for the ceremony!)
Collecting your tickets and gown
You must bring photo ID on the day to collect your tickets and gown. Collect your ticket first and then show your student ticket and booking confirmation to collect your gown.
The ticket desk closes 40 minutes before your ceremony, so make sure to collect all tickets in time to ensure your place in the ceremony.
What are the colours of the King’s gown?
In 2007, King’s was granted degree-awarding powers in its own right. One of the impacts of securing its own degree-awarding powers was the need for King’s to design its own academic dress.
We are most grateful to Dame Vivienne Westwood for the major role she played in bringing the academic dress, which is based on a medieval design, up to date. Through her reworking of the traditional robe, Vivienne Westwood hoped to “link the past, the present and the future”. The King’s academic dress design was approved by the University and does not include a mortarboard.
The gown colours can be found in our article What is the academic dress for ceremonies, and how can I book it?
Photography and Filming
Official photography on the day of your ceremony will be provided by Tempest Graduation Photography between 8.30 and 17.00 (19.30 on Wednesday 31 July and Thursday 1 August only). We recommend that photographs are taken prior to your ceremony and there is no need to book a photography slot in advance.
The ceremony will be filmed by Galaxy Video and will be live-streamed on the day of the event. You can purchase a DVD in advance or on the day.
Essential information for your guests
Additional guest tickets – If additional guest tickets are available for your ceremony, they will be available on the ticket collection desk to be paid for on the day at £30 per ticket. Please pay for any additional guest tickets you require at the Ticket Desk when collecting your graduate ticket.
Can my guests take photos and videos during the ceremony? – Your guests are welcome to take photographs and videos during the graduation ceremony, but we ask that they please remain seated to avoid blocking the view of those around them.
Where should I meet my guests? – We suggest having a prearranged area to meet your guests, such as in the reception areas. There will also be meeting points by the information desks at each venue. More information for each venue will follow with your invitation and final details email.
Make sure to visit the Alumni team
The alumni team will be there on the day to welcome you to your King’s global alumni community. As a memento of the day, you can download a free personalised graduation video of you walking across the stage! Share yours on social media – X (@KCLalumni) and Instagram (@kclalumni) using the hashtag #ForeverKings.
Make sure you visit the alumni stall at your ceremony where you can win prizes! Come along to spin the prize wheel, take photos with our #ForeverKing’s backdrop, and discover our amazing alumni benefits – exclusively available to you as a new graduate.
Check out The Union Shop's graduation pop-ups
Looking for a memento to mark the occasion, or a gift for someone special? The Union Shop is here to help you celebrate graduation with their range of King’s merchandise.
Graduating at Southwark Cathedral? Visit The Union Shop pop-up in Guy’s Café on either the 3 or 4 July. Grab a coffee and browse the exclusive GKT collection, which includes keyrings, pins, magnets, tote bags and more.
Graduating at Royal Festival Hall? Don’t miss the pop-up shop running all week in late July. There, you’ll find limited-edition pieces from our Graduation range, including embroidered hoodies, t-shirts, totes and the one-of-a-kind graduation Reggie soft toy.
If you can’t make it on the day, you can also visit The Union Shop on the Strand to pick up your King’s merch. They’re open all summer, Monday to Friday, 10.30–17.30 and are offering click and collect so you can pick up with ease.
Find out more about your ceremony venue
See below for further information on Royal Festival Hall and Southwark Cathedral, from travelling on the day to nearby restaurants and information on accessibility.
Royal Festival Hall as a graduation ceremony venue
Southwark Cathedral as a graduation ceremony venue
Further information and questions
Should you have any queries regarding graduating and your graduation, please visit Student Services Online.