Graduating from Darwin

Degrees are conferred and celebrated at Congregations (ceremonial meetings) of the Regent House, the Governing Body of the University, held in the Senate House. Normally, these are held monthly from October to July, although like many Colleges, Darwin does not present candidates at all of them.

The College Praelector is responsible for presenting Darwin’s candidates for ‘conferral’ or ‘celebration’ of their degrees.   It is possible for your degree to be conferred ‘in absence’, without attending a Congregation, but graduands are encouraged to experience the ceremony.

All Degree Congregations are now videoed and available both as a livestream and on a catch-up basis for a limited period.  By attending in person, you are giving consent to being included in the livestream. It is not possible to take part in the Degree Ceremony and not be part of the recording. A private link for this will be emailed to all graduands prior to the event. The livestream is provided on the understanding that it is a private recording, not to be publicly shared on social media or in any public forum.

Booking 

Graduation bookings can only be made using the Graduation Booking Form.

Once received, bookings will be date stamped and places allocated in that order.  All bookings will be acknowledged by email within 5-7 working days.

Confirmation of approval for the degree must have been received by the College from the Student Registry at least two weeks prior to the chosen date.  If in doubt, please check with your department prior to submitting a booking. You can book in ‘subject to final approval’ but only do this if you are sure everything will go through in time. 

All graduands must be clear of College debt, as in common with other Colleges, Darwin declines to present for a degree those in debt to the College.  Please contact the Accounts Office to ensure that you have settled all bills prior to booking: accounts@darwin.cam.ac.uk

For more detailed information on graduating please read:  Guidelines for graduation.

Full details on graduation dress codes are available here.

Graduation Day

Registration and full-dress rehearsal (mandatory)

Prior to the ceremony at the Senate House all graduands must attend both the registration and dress rehearsal with the College Praelector. A full timetable will be emailed out to all graduands approximately one week prior to the event with further information.

College Reception

The College will host a Reception for those attending (light refreshments with a maximum of three guests).

Collection of Degree Certificates

Certificates will be available on the day to those graduating in person and will be given out as you exit the Senate House.

Photography

University: As well as photographing inside the Senate House when degrees are conferred or celebrated, Tempest, the University’s official photographers, will offer studio photography and certificate framing services on the day.  Students should bring with them a means of payment (preferably card or phone) if they wish to purchase photographs.

Link: https://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/degree-ceremonies/photography

Darwin: The College occasionally takes photographs of its students, either individually and/or as a group at graduations.  On graduation days the College photographer can take either individual or group photographs so please ask. All photographs will be emailed out to graduands (free of charge) a week or so after the event.

Event photos are widely used within the College and may be on public display.  Otherwise, the College restricts the sharing of your personal information within the College in line with the data protection polices set out on this page. For further information:  https://www.darwin.cam.ac.uk/dataprotection

Bags

Ideally, students should not bring bags as they will have to be left on the Senate House lawn for collection after the ceremony.   If the weather is wet, umbrellas can also be left on the lawn. Once finished, all students should exit via the South-East Gate (opposite Ryder & Amies).

For any queries please email the Deanery Office:  deanery@darwin.cam.ac.uk

GRADUATION DATES 2024-25

Michaelmas Term 2024
26 October FULL
30 November

Lent Term 2025
31 January (in absence degrees only)
1 March (in absence degrees only)
29 March

Easter Term 2025
3 May
24 May

Long Vacation
26 July

NOTE:

  • All bookings must be made using the form available on the College website and not via CamSIS.  
  • Anyone experiencing problems downloading the booking form or with any general queries please email: deanery@darwin.cam.ac.uk

 

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