Graduation

About graduation

Degrees are conferred at degree ceremonies, also called graduation. Many students graduate soon after they finish their degrees, but others return for a graduation ceremony many years later. You can choose to attend a ceremony in person, or graduate in absentia.

You can receive a copy of your final transcript upon completion of your degree if you need proof of finishing your studies before you graduate. Please see the University’s Academic transcripts webpage for more information.

The College’s Academic & Welfare Officer, Aym Maidment, is responsible for managing graduations. Please contact them with any questions.

Ceremony dates

The College usually holds seven graduation ceremonies each year. 

The dates currently confirmed for in-person graduations are below. If no places are currently available, we can add you to a waiting list but there is no guarantee that a place will become available.​

2024/25 cycle

Students were invited by the Degree Conferrals Office in November 2023 to book their place at the 2024-25 ceremonies. The booking window closed on 31st January. Any bookings after this date must be made via the Academic Office, and are subject to availability.

At present, we have no availability for taught course graduands on any of the above ceremonies, but are able to add graduands to waiting list if spaces do become available. There is still good availability for DPhil graduands.

Dates for the 2025/26 cycle will be published by the end of November 2024.

How to book your graduation place

Current taught course (MSc, MSt, MPP, MPhil, MBA) students will receive an email invitation from the University’s Degree Conferrals Office in December (of your final year if you are doing an MPhil) containing booking details. Booking is done through the University’s eVision online booking system. You will have priority booking until mid-January and you are encouraged to make your choice promptly as places are booked on a first come, first serve basis.

Current research students (DPhils) will receive an email invitation from the University’s Degree Conferrals Office with booking details once leave to supplicate has been granted. You are encouraged to make your choice promptly as places are booked on a first come, first serve basis. If there are no dates available, please email the Academic Office.

Taught course and research students whose course finished before the current academic year (known as ‘historic’ students) should contact the College to make a booking. Please email the Academic Office with your preferred date(s) from the list above, together with your post-Oxford email address, full postal address and contact phone number(s). Please note that until you receive confirmation from either the University’s Degree Conferrals Office or the College, your place is not guaranteed.

It is not possible to attend a graduation ceremony following completion of a Certificate or Diploma.

You must ensure that you have no debts or dues outstanding to St Antony’s College or the University before graduating. Please refer to the University’s Regulations for Degrees, Certificates and Diplomas for more information.

If you can no longer attend the ceremony it is important that you let us know immediately by contacting the Academic Office. If you cancel with less than 60 days’ notice before a ceremony without exceptional circumstances, then your degree will be conferred in absence and you will not be able to book to attend a different ceremony in person. 

Current students can select to graduate in absentia via eVision’s online booking system. 

Students who completed their course a year or more ago should contact the Academic Office with details of the degree to be conferred, their telephone number and their postal address.

What happens on the day?

Graduation ceremonies are delightful occasions for you as the graduating student and your family and friends to celebrate your achievement. To honour the occasion, we invite you and your guests to join us for a celebration lunch before the ceremony. 

The Dean of Degrees, Dr Neil Ketchley and a member of the Academic Office will be on hand throughout the day to help you and your guests. You will be given a full timetable with instructions some weeks before the ceremony. Please be sure to read this carefully.

What should I wear?

Please refer to the College’s information on academic dress to ensure you have the correct attire for graduation. That webpage also has details of academic dress suppliers in Oxford.

The dress code is strictly adhered to. Please follow it carefully.

Guests

Graduands are automatically allocated two guest tickets for the ceremony. These tickets will be collected at registration on the morning of the ceremony.

Occasionally, additional guest tickets become available before the ceremony. Additional tickets are limited to one extra tickets per graduand, and we cannot confirm if any additional tickets will be available.  If you would like to be added to a waiting list for an extra ticket please contact the Academic Office. Tickets will be allocated on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis and will be limited to one additional ticket per graduand. Graduands themselves do not need a ticket.

It is recommended that children under the age of seven do not attend the ceremony but if graduands do wish to bring children, the parent/guardian should try and sit near an exit so that they may leave quickly and quietly should the child get restless. Please also note that the child will need their own ceremony ticket unless they will be sitting on their parent/guardian’s lap. For those who find it safer and more comfortable, the Sheldonian provides a dedicated family friendly space – the Cecil Jackson Room – where live streaming of the ceremony is broadcasted. Guest tickets are still required to access this room. On the day, please do seek assistance from the Sheldonian’s stewards who will provide guidance and assistance.

A lunch is held in College before each graduation ceremony (for 10.30 am ceremonies the celebration will be post ceremony). Graduands and their guests may attend free of charge. Additional places are not available.

Visa support

If graduands or any of their guests require a visa to travel to the UK for the ceremony, it is very important to plan for this in advance. If you require a letter confirming you are booked to attend a ceremony then please contact the Academic Office. We can also provide a template for you to prepare a visitor invitation letter for your guests if required.

Contact us

If you have any questions or concerns regarding graduation, please contact Aym Maidment via the Academic Office. 

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