After my own experience of graduating yesterday still echoing through my innermost feelings (as well as my aching legs from wearing heels), I realised the process of graduation is worth of a class all of its own!
So this blog post will give you the information I had on my graduation and I hope it helps some of you too.
Tickets are generally very limited. At both of my graduations we were able to purchase 2 tickets each initially. They were £20 each. After all pairs are allocated, there may be a chance to purchase more on a first come, first served basis. Be quick as they will possibly sell out fast.
Gown hire You can hire or buy. Personally I see no point in buying it. What a load of hassle and wardrobe space and often the attire will change through your academic career. I paid £45 for my hire from Ede and Ravenscroft who are very professional. There is often a queue and usually you will be helped into your gown directly after collecting your tickets. Gowns differ depending on which award you are collecting and you can select the options online before hand. I have seen some graduates in a panic as they forgot but were able to do this on the day. Personally, I would recommend getting as organised as possible before.
Little note: The academics who are part of the procession are dressed in different gowns as they wear the gown of choice from the University in which they graduated with the Phd.
Photography isn't usually something you need to organise before the day. They will take official photos right after Gowning up. You can often buy these online after the day. Also there is usually a ceremony photo taken of the handshake and a group photo of the whole of the academics directly after the ceremony.
DVD and USBs were available at my graduation of the entire ceremony. These were £20. I asked my guests to film the procession and me getting my award. I'm not sure if I would dust off a USB and watch it over and over.
Reception drinks and sometimes some nibbles are ordered for all of those not VIP. We found that other guests could join us here too. My opinion is that often these receptions could be far more jazzed up BUT it's a great place to get to chat to your lecturers, take photos, do some very important networking (this is what happened to me) and get that important "Mortar board throwing" photo with your class mates. My advice here would be to get any academic group photos of your class after the group photo of the faculty. If you leave it until you leave and get to the reception you will all disperse and this might not get to happen. This is what happened in my case and it is sad but it is what it is. Our day saw 34 degree heat and we were all struggling with heavy heart beats and massive perspiration and many got the gown off as soon as they could.
This is a good place to give out thank you cards and any gifts.
After party organisation is up to you. For me, this was an important part of the day but I took some quiet family time to goto Pizza Express for our lunch and to cool down in the air con. We only had a short time there but it was nice. Of course all of this is optional here but I then went to my party I had organised with an incredible cake (£60), DJ (around £200 usually) and room hire of £100. If you want to get together as a class and sort this all out you could split the cost. The day is exhausting and I totally understand why people want to shoot right after the reception. That said, I do think it was nice to have a dance, but that's me.
Beauty Treatments beforehand were important for me so I went off and got my nails and feet done. The way I see it is there was going to be a photo knocking around forever, likely longer than my wedding photos so it was important to look nice.
Hands: £20
Feet: £35
Other than that there was a few rounds of drinks and a taxi home for £20. Travel is a cost which will vary so much as many families travel a long way and need to stay in local accommodation etc.
These are my costs but please don't compare as yours will be different.
Tickets £60
Gown £45
Photos £200
DVD £20
Lunch £55
After party £290
Taxi £20
Total £690
It's worth keeping back a little of the last student loan piece of money you will get and put aside for this occasion. Also at this stage, bear in mind you might need to pay for registration to an accredited body or any association costs.
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