Please read the following information about graduation and degree ceremonies. You can find some FAQs at the bottom of the page.

The remaining Degree Ceremony for date for 2023/24 in person attendance is:

  • Saturday 18 May 2024, 4:15pm

If you would like to graduate in absentia then please email the Academic Office

Booking

The process for booking on a degree ceremony varies depending on the following:

  • The type of graduand
  • The time of year

* NB. Please read Degree Ceremony Terms & Conditions before booking:  Degree Ceremony Booking Ts&Cs only – January 2023

Current finalists will normally receive an email invitation from the University at the end of Michaelmas Term to book on a ceremony the following year. Finalists will have until 31 January to select a date through Student Self Service.

Those doing research degrees will automatically be emailed by the University when they have received leave to supplicate and invited to book on a ceremony through Student Self Service.

Any alumni member who has not taken their degree in the past and wants to receive it in person should complete the Somerville Degree Ceremony Booking Form (link below). Please note that current finalists have priority during December and January each year. Any alumni bookings taken during this period will be processed, but will not be confirmed until late February. If you would like to receive your degree in absence, please complete and return the Somerville Degree Ceremony Booking Form also, and you will be added to the next available ceremony.

***Booking a Degree Ceremony***

For those who have been unable to book a degree ceremony through Student Self Service, please use the Somerville Degree Ceremony Booking Form to request a ceremony either in person or in absentia.   Somerville Degree Ceremony Booking Form

Oxford MA

The status of Master of Arts is a mark of seniority within the University which may be conferred 21 terms after matriculation. This is not an automatic process and to obtain your MA you must apply to graduate at a degree ceremony either in person or in absentia.

If you would like to receive your MA in person, please complete the Somerville Degree Ceremony Booking Form. Please note that students receiving their first degree have priority for places so it will not normally be possible to confirm in person bookings until three months before the ceremony. If you would like to receive your MA in absence, please complete the Somerville Degree Ceremony Booking Form and you will be added to the next available ceremony. You will also need to pay the MA charge of £50 through the University Online Store.

What to wear

Graduands must wear the following:

  • your preferred sub fusc
    • either dark suit with dark socks, or dark skirt with black tights or stockings, or dark trousers with dark socks
    • dark coat if required
    • black shoes
    • plain white collared shirt or blouse
    • white bow tie, black bow tie, black full-length tie, or black ribbon
  • the appropriate academic dress including a mortar board or soft cap and hood

You will be sent more information about academic dress approximately eight weeks before your ceremony.

Degree Certificates

Degree certificates are provided by the University rather than Somerville. They are automatically issued following graduation whether you have received your degree in person or in absence. You must have graduated at a degree ceremony either in person or in absence in order to obtain a degree certificate.

If you have not yet graduated, but need proof that you have completed your degree, you can order a degree confirmation letter from the Degree Conferrals Office. If you have lost your original degree certificate, you can order a replacement from the same office.

Degree Day Frequently Asked Questions

Taught Finalists

How do I book on a ceremony?

All current finalists will receive an email invitation from the University at the end of Michaelmas Term to book on a ceremony the following year. Finalists will have until 31 January to select a date through Student Self Service.  If you are unable to book through Student Self Service, please use the booking form above.

Why am I being offered a limited choice of ceremonies?

Certain ceremonies are only open to particular groups of students because of the timing of exam board meetings. It is also possible that the ceremony of your choice is full.

I've missed the deadline. What are my options?

After 31 January, it is not possible for finalists to book themselves on a ceremony through Student Self Service. You can complete the booking form above to be added to a ceremony, if available.

What are my options if I am not available on any of the dates?

You can complete the booking form above to be added to a ceremony, if available.  Please note that you will be treated as an alumna/alumnus and might therefore have a limited choice of ceremonies.

What are my options if the ceremony of my choice is full?

You can complete the booking form above to be added to a ceremony, if available. If a place becomes available, the college will ask the University to add you.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel your place up to 60 days before the ceremony. After this deadline, you will be required to graduate in absence and will not be able to attend a future ceremony.

How do I cancel my booking?

You can cancel this through Student Self Service. It is helpful if you can also email degreedays@some.ox.ac.uk so your place can be offered to someone else.

 

Research Students

How do I book on a ceremony?

A certain number of places are reserved at each ceremony for research graduates. Those doing research degrees will automatically be emailed by the University when they have received leave to supplicate and invited to book on a ceremony through Student Self Service. We would encourage you to do this as soon as possible before your access to Single Sign On expires.

 

Alumni

How do I book to graduate in absence (in absentia)?

Alumni will need to complete the degree ceremony booking form so the college has the most up-to-date contact details. You will then be added to the next available ceremony.

How do I book to receive my degree in person?

Alumni will need to complete the degree ceremony booking form so the college has the most up-to-date contact details. Current finalists have priority so it is not possible to confirm if places are available for alumni until after the deadline of 31 January.

What are my options if the ceremony of my choice is full?

You can complete the booking form above to be added to a ceremony, if available. If a place becomes available, the college will ask the University to add you. Please note that priority is given to finalists on waiting lists.

Is it possible to have two degrees conferred at one ceremony?

Only one degree can be conferred in person at a ceremony. Normally, the higher degree is conferred in person and the lower degree is conferred in absence.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel your place up to 60 days before the ceremony. After this deadline, you will be required to graduate in absence and will not be able to attend a future ceremony.

How do I cancel my booking?

You should email degreedays@some.ox.ac.uk.

 

The Oxford MA

Who is eligible to receive an Oxford MA?

Students who have completed the BA are eligible to receive the MA 21 terms after matriculation (i.e. seven years after matriculation). Please note that if your BA has not been conferred, this will need to be arranged at the same time you book to receive your MA.

How do I book to receive my MA in absence (in absentia)?

Alumni will need to complete a degree ceremony booking form so the college has the most up-to-date contact details. You will then be added to the next available ceremony.

How do I book to receive my Oxford MA in person?

Alumni will need to complete the degree ceremony booking form so the college has the most up-to-date contact details. Please note that it is not possible to confirm Oxford MA bookings until three months before the ceremony. This is to ensure that priority is given to those students receiving their first degree from Oxford. 

Is there a charge for the Oxford MA?

You are required to pay £40. This charge is set by the University and should be paid after your booking has been confirmed. Payment should be made through the University online store once your ceremony booking has been confirmed.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel your place up to 60 days before the ceremony. After this deadline, you will be required to graduate in absence and will not be able to attend a future ceremony.

How do I cancel my booking?

You should email degreedays@some.ox.ac.uk.

 

Degree ceremony and reception

How many guests can I bring to the ceremony?

Each graduand is automatically allocated two guest tickets to the ceremony.

It is possible that spare tickets beyond this allocation might become available, but this can’t be confirmed until just before the ceremony. Any spare tickets will be limited to one per graduand. Details of how to request an additional ticket will be confirmed approximately four weeks before the ceremony.

Can children attend the ceremony?

The guidance from the University is that the ceremony is unsuitable for children under seven.

How many guests can I bring to the reception?

Each graduand can bring up to three guests to the reception.

Is there a charge for the reception?

This is complimentary for graduands and their supervisors. There is a charge for each guest you wish to bring.

What should I wear?

You will need to wear full sub fusc and the relevant gown(s) and hood(s) for your degree. You will be sent full details approximately eight weeks before the ceremony. Please note that the college does not provide gowns or hoods.

Information on hood colours:  Academic dress by degree
Oxford Stockists of Academic Dress:  Shepherd and WoodwardWalters of Oxford, and Ede and Ravenscroft

 

How will I receive my degree certificate?

If you are graduating in absence, your certificate will be posted after the ceremony. Certificates for finalists will be sent to the address in Student Self Service. Certificates for alumni will be sent to the address on the booking form. For all other ceremonies, certificates will be available to collect from the Lodge during the reception.