You and up to three guests can attend a degree ceremony in the Sheldonian, or you can graduate in absentia. In either case, please fill in and return this form. Please note that it is University and College policy that no one who has outstanding debt to the University or College (including library fines) will be entered for a degree.

Graduating in absentia

Once you have returned your form to us, your degree will be conferred upon you in your absence at the next available ceremony (usually this is within a couple of months) and afterwards we will post your certificate to you. When we acknowledge your booking we will let you know when you can expect it. Please note that if you choose to graduate in absentia you cannot later take the same degree in person.

Graduating in person

If you wish to attend a ceremony, please check here for available dates. You will need to apply at least 16 days in advance of the ceremony and for popular dates (like July and September) sometimes many months in advance. On the day of the ceremony you and your guests are invited to take lunch in College. There is no charge for your lunch; you are charged £16 for each guest.

You will need to be dressed in sub fusc (for men: dark suit, white shirt with collar, white bow tie, dark socks, black shoes; for women dark skirt or trousers, white blouse, black tie or ribbon, black tights, black shoes).

You will need to have the gown (and hood if applicable) appropriate for your status before your degree is conferred upon you and the gown and hood appropriate for your status after your degree is conferred upon you. You will also need a mortarboard or cap. Men may wear a mortarboard out of doors, but must carry it within the Sheldonian. Women may carry or wear mortarboard or cap.

You can hire academic dress, and get advice on appropriate gowns and hood, from:

Shepherd & Woodward Ltd.
109-113 High Street, Oxford
(Tel. 01865-249491)
(e-mail: enquiries@shepwood.co.uk)
(www.shepherdandwoodward.co.uk/academic.html)

Castell & Son (Oxford) Ltd.
13 Broad Street, Oxford.
(Tel. 01865-244000)

Walters & Co. (Oxford) Ltd.
10 The Turl, Oxford.
(Tel. 01865-241848)

Ede & Ravenscroft Ltd
119 High Street
(tel 01865 242756)
(www.gownhire.co.uk)

You are advised to reserve your gown as early as possible.

You must pick up your degree day pack, which will include your certificate and your tickets to the Sheldonian, from the Lodge on your degree day. You must sign the Dean of Degrees' list when you collect your pack so that he knows you have arrived. Your degree day pack will also contain a booklet which will give you more information about the ceremony.

Whether or not you are lunching in College on your degree day, you must meet the Dean of Degrees at Convocation House 30 minutes before the start of the ceremony.

Finally, please note that once the University has entered your name for a ceremony (approximately two weeks before the ceremony date) only the Vice Chancellor can approve a withdrawal, which he will do only in the most exceptional circumstances. If you do not arrive your degree will be conferred upon you in your absence and it will not be possible for you to take the same degree in person on another occasion.

If you need more information please contact the Development Office. We look forward to seeing you in College on your degree day!