Preparing for the day

Invitations and Registration

When will I receive my invitation?

Invitations will be sent via email at the beginning of May*.

Please note that if you have not fulfilled all academic requirements, you may be ineligible to graduate.

*Harper & Keele Veterinary School students will receive their invitation to graduation from Harper Adams University for September at a later date.

What happens if I don’t receive an invitation?

If you are potentially eligible or are eligible to graduate at the forthcoming graduation ceremony in July 2026, an invitation will be sent to your personal email account. If you have not received an email by Friday 8 May and are expecting to graduate, please contact gradoffice@keele.ac.uk.

Do I need to respond to my invitation even if I’m not attending my ceremony?

You must register to graduate whether attending the ceremony or not.

You can choose to:

1. Attend your ceremony: Graduate in person on the date you have been offered.
2. Defer your graduation: Graduate in person at the next set of ceremonies in January 2027*. Please note, you can only defer your graduation date twice.
3. Graduate in absentia: You will graduate but will not attend the ceremony in person.

*This option is not available to Harper & Keele Veterinary School students.

How do I respond to my invitation?

All graduation bookings are made through our supplier Ede & Ravenscroft on the online platform Graduation Hub. Your e-invitation will include a link to their website.

On Graduation Hub, you can book your:

• Graduate place
• Guest tickets
• Gown

If you are wishing to defer or not attend your ceremony, there will be a link on Graduation Hub to record this option via a Microsoft Form.

What is the deadline to register?

You should complete the online registration by Friday 19 June 2026.

To register

1. Go to https://www2.edeandravenscroft.com/graduation/index/
2. Type ‘Keele University’ in the ‘Institution Details’ box and click continue.
3. Fill in the boxes: ‘Student ID, Surname and Email’ and click ‘Continue’. Please use your most up-to-date personal email address as this is where your registration confirmation will be sent.
4. The next section will show your award level (e.g. BSc). Please make sure this is correct and click submit.
5. ‘Ceremony details’ will appear. Please ensure you have been allocated to the correct ceremony, then click yes.
6. Scroll down and select ticketing. Complete details and continue through the website to make your selections. You must complete your ticket details before hiring your gown.
7. Finally, scroll to the bottom of the page and proceed to checkout.

If you have any problems with this process, please contact Ede & Ravenscroft.

Contact Graduation Services | Ede & Ravenscroft

Do I receive a confirmation email after I have registered?

Yes. Your order will not be finalised unless you receive a confirmation email from Ede & Ravenscroft. Get in touch with Ede & Ravenscroft if you don’t receive a confirmation email.

Contact Graduation Services | Ede & Ravenscroft

What happens if I forget to register?

The University aims to accommodate all students who wish to graduate, but only in exceptional circumstances will applications be considered after registration closes. If you are late but still wish to graduate, please contact the Graduation Office immediately on 01782 734206 or gradoffice@keele.ac.uk.

What if I wish to cancel my registration for graduation?

If you wish to cancel your registration before the deadline, log in to Graduation Hub to cancel your place. If you wish to cancel after the registration deadline, please email gradoffice@keele.ac.uk stating your full name and student number.

Tickets and Booking  

Graduand Ticket

Your ticket is free of charge. The ticket permits admission to the graduation ceremony and the post-ceremony Graduation Reception at Keele Hall. The ticket includes 1 x complimentary drink and 1 x sweet treat.

Guest Tickets – Chapel

You may book up to two guest tickets for seating within the Chapel*.

Chapel guest tickets are priced at £20 each and include:

• Admission to the graduation ceremony within the Chapel**
• Admission to the post-ceremony Graduation Reception at Keele Hall, including 1 x complimentary drink and 1 x sweet treat.

*Children over the age of three will require a ticket.

**Guests are seated on a first come, first served basis on the day. If any of your guests have access requirements, please let us know when you register.

Guest Tickets – Live Stream Theatre

You may additionally book up to two guest tickets for the Live Stream Theatre.

These tickets are free of charge and provide admission to a live stream of the ceremony in one of the University’s lecture theatres.

Please note:

• These tickets do not include admission to the Graduation Reception at Keele Hall.
• Graduation Reception-only tickets will be available to book when additional tickets are released (subject to availability).

Release of Additional Tickets

Following the initial booking period, any unallocated tickets for either the Chapel or Live Stream Theatre will be released, subject to availability.

Additional tickets will be available to book between 09:00 on Wednesday 24 June and 17:00 on Friday 26 June 2026 on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Guest tickets for the Chapel will remain priced at £20 each.
• Live Stream Theatre tickets will remain free of charge.
• A limited number of Graduation Reception-only tickets will also be released at £10 each for guests attending the Live Stream Theatre who wish to join the Graduation Reception at Keele Hall. The ticket includes 1 x complimentary drink and 1 x sweet treat.

Please note, guests without a ticket for the Graduation Reception are welcome to celebrate with you in Keele Hall grounds. There will be food and drink available to purchase.

Booking Information

Booking Provider

All graduation tickets must be booked via the University’s official ticketing partner, Ede & Ravenscroft.

Registration Deadline

You must register for your ceremony, book your gown and guest tickets by midnight Friday 19 June 2026. Only additional tickets can be booked after this date (subject to availability).

Amendments, Cancellations and Refunds

Amendments, cancellations and refunds can be made up until 17:00 on Friday 26 June 2026. Tickets are non-transferable.

To make changes:

• Log into your Graduation Hub account and select the option to amend or cancel your booking.
• Alternatively, contact Ede & Ravenscroft via the Contact Graduation Services page.

Contact Graduation Services | Ede & Ravenscroft

After 17:00 on Friday 26 June 2026, all bookings will be deemed final. Tickets will be non-refundable, and no further amendments will be permitted.

Final Booking Deadline

The deadline for additional graduation ticket bookings is 17:00 on Friday 26 June 2026.

Bookings or amendments will not be accepted after this date, except in exceptional circumstances or where a student’s award is confirmed after this deadline.

For queries, please contact: gradoffice@keele.ac.uk

Gown and dress code

Deadline to order

You should order your gown by Friday 19 June 2026.

Where do I order my gown?

Academic dress can be ordered from Ede and Ravenscroft via Graduation Hub (the online platform you will also use to register your attendance and book your guest tickets).

You do not have to hire robes at the same time as registering; however, you must complete this by the booking deadline.

How do I order my gown on Graduation Hub?

1. Click on the ‘Academic Dress’ tab.
2. Where prompted, enter your height and chest size.
3. Most students choose to hire their academic dress for their ceremony day. If you would like to hire your robes, select "Proceed with Gown Hire", or if you would prefer to purchase your academic dress, select "View Gown Purchase Options".
4. Your hood colour will be stated, then select "Proceed with Hood Hire".
5. Enter your hat size. For help, select "size details". If hiring, select "Proceed with Hat Hire", or to purchase select "View Hat Purchase Options".
6. If you have any special requests, enter these in the text box. If not, leave it blank.
7. Select "Add to Bag".

Can I order my gown from an alternative supplier?

You may hire your graduation gown from an alternative supplier if you wish. Please note this will need to be a black gown and the hood must be the correct colours for your award. See 'What will my gown and hood look like?' for guidance.

You will still be allowed to graduate if your gown/hood does not fully match the guidelines, however you may be dressed differently from your cohort. Keele cannot be held responsible for any differences where alternative suppliers are used.

Please check delivery and return arrangements carefully to ensure your gown arrives in time, and be aware of any return charges which may increase overall costs.

If there is an issue with delivery and you need to hire on the day, this will be subject to availability and Ede & Ravenscroft cannot guarantee supply for all emergencies.

On-the-day hire will be more expensive than advance booking.

Information required to order your gown

You should have the following information ready when hiring academic dress:

• Height
• Chest measurement
• Hat size (circumference of your head taken just above your ears)
• Qualification (PhD, MSc, BA)

How do I know which gown and hood to choose?

Academic dress relates to the qualification you will be awarded (e.g. BA, MSc, PGCert) rather than your subject. For example:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Bachelor of Science gown and hood
• Master of Science in International Business: Master of Science gown and hood

Dress code

Graduation ceremonies are a formal occasion, which is reflected in the dress of graduands and their guests. It is recommended to check the weather forecast in advance and dress appropriately.

Please note: jeans and trainers are not permitted.

Useful tips

• Wearing a shirt and tie or a blouse with buttons will make it easier to fix the hood of your academic dress.
• Hair pins are useful to secure the mortarboard (hat).
• Safety pins can be used to secure gowns and hoods.

Financial support

If you are struggling to afford the hire cost of your graduation gown, please contact our Financial Support Team at student.services@keele.ac.uk so a member of the team can discuss the range of financial support available to you.

Outstanding debt

Can I graduate if I have outstanding fees or other debts?

All outstanding debt to the University should be settled by Friday 19 June 2026.

If you have a debt to the University after the above deadline, you will not be allowed to attend the graduation ceremony.

Graduands are advised to speak with the Finance Department as a matter of urgency.

To pay outstanding fees please use the following link: keele.ac.uk/payments/

Harper & Keele Veterinary School students

To pay outstanding fees, please contact the Finance Department at your host university.

• Harper Adams University: studentinvoicing@harper-adams.ac.uk
• Keele University: https://keele.ac.uk/payments/

Visa support

Can you provide a visa support letter for my guests?

For graduands who require a letter from the Graduation Office to support a standard visitor visa application, please email gradoffice@keele.ac.uk once you have received your e-invitation confirming your ceremony date and time. You will need to provide your name and student number to obtain the necessary paperwork. A letter will be emailed back as soon as possible. 

Please note, your visa letter will only state: 

• your name
• address
• qualification and award
• plus 4 guests

We do not include visitor names on your visa letter.

Access requirements

Are you able to support graduands / guests with access requirements?

At our graduation ceremonies there is provision made for any access requirements, whether that be poor mobility, the use of a wheelchair, partially sighted, hard of hearing etc.

Who should I inform if either my guests or I have access requirements?

In order for us to make arrangements for you or your guests, please let us know by completing all questions on Graduation Hub when registering your attendance to your ceremony. This information will be used when we undertake the seating plans, so we can make appropriate arrangements for you and your guests.

Alternatively, if you have already registered, please notify us of your requirements so that we can ensure the appropriate services are in place. Email gradoice@keele.ac.uk by Friday 19 June 2026.

How do you support wheelchair users and guests with limited mobility?

All graduation venues are wheelchair accessible, and the Chapel and Live Stream Theatre both have dedicated seating zones for wheelchair users, for graduands and guests. You must notify us when booking tickets if either you or any of your guests are wheelchair users or have limited mobility.

On the day of the ceremony, anyone in a wheelchair or with limited mobility can make their way to the side entrance of the marquee next to the Chapel 45 minutes prior to the ceremony start time. The Graduation Welcome Team will ensure you are seated first.

Wheelchair seating is in a designated position in the Chapel and, where possible, we will seat your other guest(s) alongside your wheelchair guest. These seats are pre-allocated and reserved for guests for each ceremony.

Car parking for blue badge holders / people with limited mobility

We regret that parking at the ceremony venue is very limited, but a drop-off facility is available for guests with limited mobility. A small number of disabled parking spaces are available and allocated on a first come, first served basis to Blue Badge holders only. Please alert the car parking attendants on arrival to campus who will direct you.

There are no parking charges on campus during graduation ceremonies.

Are you able to loan a wheelchair?

Unfortunately, this is not something we are able to offer. However, there will be a drop-off point close to the Chapel for guests with limited mobility.

Accommodation

Looking for a place to stay for your graduation? Please see our local hotel information below.

Hotel information

Courtyard by Marriott

University Drive,
Keele, Newcastle ST5 5NU
01782 376820
marriott.com
Located on-campus

Borough Arms Hotel

26 King Street, Newcastle,
Staffs, ST5 1HX
01782 629421
borough-arms-hotel.co.uk
Distance from Keele 3 Miles

Holiday Inn

Stoke on Trent, M6 JT15
Clayton Road, Newcastle, Staffs, ST5 4DL
0871 942 9077
holidayinn.com
Distance from Keele 5 Miles

Premier Inn Newcastle-under-Lyme

Talke Road, Chesterton,
Newcastle, Staffs, ST5 7EH
0871 527 8808
premierinn.com
Distance from Keele 5 Miles

Travelodge Newcastle-under-Lyme Central

Lower Street, Newcastle,
Staffs, ST5 2RN
0871 984 6446
www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/424/Newcastle-Under-Lyme-Central-hotel
Distance from Keele 2.5 Miles

Wychwood Park Hotel

Wychwood Park, Weston,
Crewe, CW2 5GP
0871 222 4830
wychwoodparkhotel.com
Distance from Keele 12 Miles

Childcare

For those who are unable to attend their graduation ceremony due to not having childcare arrangements in place, the University has an onsite nursery for children aged 0–3 years of age; however, spaces are subject to availability.

To enquire about childcare on the day of your ceremony, please email gradoffice@keele.ac.uk by no later than Friday 19 June 2026.

Preferred names

If you have a different preferred name than your legal name, and you would like this preferred name to be read out during your graduation ceremony, please indicate this when you respond to your graduation invitation via Graduation Hub.

Please be aware that your preferred name will not be included on your degree certificate, unless you have legally changed your name and officially notified the University of this (using a deed poll certificate, for example).

If you would like to discuss this further or require any support, please contact student.services@keele.ac.uk. The information you provide will be shared within the Graduation Events team and Student Services.