What happens on the day?
Graduation is a special occasion, and we want you to feel confident about how the day will unfold.
This webpage covers what happens before, during, and after the Ceremony — and what to expect at the Reception.
Before the Ceremony
The first step in getting ready for your big day is choosing your outfit and dressing smartly for the occasion. Graduation is a formal celebration, and looking the part will help you feel confident before all the official steps begin. For more guidance, see our Dress Code section.
Photos and Gown collection
A professional photographer will be available at the UHI Orkney main campus on East Road before the Ceremony for anyone who would like official graduation photos. Full details available in our Photography section.
If you’ve hired a gown (HE students only), you can also collect it at our East Road campus, where staff will be on hand to help ensure it is fitted correctly. See our Gown Hire section for eligibility and how to order.
Arriving at the Cathedral
Registration and guest arrival: 11:30am – 12:45pm
Graduands: Enter through the left-hand door at the main entrance. Register with staff immediately — if you don’t register, your name won’t be read during the Ceremony. After registering, staff will show you to your seat. Please don’t change seats, as the order matches the award list.
Guests: Enter through the right-hand door at the main entrance. Register at the guest desk and take your seats promptly. Seating is in the front half of the main area and is first come, first served.
Arrival reminders
- Only graduates and guests with pre-booked tickets can attend the Ceremony or Reception.
- Guests arriving late will only be admitted once speeches have finished.
- Please avoid bringing large bags — checks may be carried out.
During the Ceremony
The Graduation Ceremony is a formal but joyful occasion. As guests arrive and take their seats, music performed by some of our former students creates a welcoming atmosphere in the Cathedral. The Ceremony itself begins with the powerful sound of the bagpipes as the staff procession makes its way through the aisles. This is followed by speeches, before moving on to the presentation of awards. Guests can expect an uplifting, celebratory atmosphere, with plenty of opportunities to applaud and cheer as their loved ones are recognised — a moment to be proud of and to treasure for years to come.
A few courtesies will help ensure the ceremony is a wonderful experience for everyone:
- Everyone is expected to remain in the Cathedral until the Ceremony concludes, unless asked otherwise by staff.
- Belongings should be tucked neatly under seats so the aisles are clear for movement.
- Mobile phones must be switched off throughout.
- Guests are welcome to take photographs from their seat, but please don’t use flash or stand in a way that blocks the view of others.
When it’s time for the presentation of awards, staff will guide graduands in order:
- When it’s time for the presentation of your award, staff will collect you from your assigned seat and guide you towards the stage in the correct order.
- When your name is called, step up to the platform, shake hands, and receive your scroll.
- When stepping up, degree and postgrad graduates should bow their head slightly to allow the graduation cap to be gently tapped on it. This traditional gesture, sometimes called doffing, is a simple act of respect and marks the formal moment your degree is officially conferred.
- Before leaving the stage, an official photographer will take a picture of you receiving your award — be sure to pause briefly to allow this.
- You should then exit the stage on the opposite side from where you entered and return to your assigned seat. Staff will guide you in the right direction, but it helps to note your exact seat location when you first arrive.
After the Ceremony
Those who have booked tickets may join staff and guests for a celebratory drinks reception. Have your ticket ready to show staff on arrival (paper or on your phone). More information about the reception can be found here.
Once the celebrations are over, don’t forget that all hired gowns must be returned by the deadline. Full guidance on when and where to do this is available in our Gown Hire & Returns section.
To keep the celebrations going, we’ll be sharing Graduation highlights in the press and across our social media channels in the days that follow. We’d love to see the day through your eyes too, so please share your favourite moments with us by tagging us on social media and using the hashtags #UHIGrad #ThinkUHI and #UHIOrkney, or email your snaps to us at marketing.orkney@uhi.ac.uk
As you prepare to step into your next exciting chapter, don’t forget to check out our dedicated Alumni webpage— it’s a great way to stay connected with UHI Orkney, celebrate your achievements, and remain part of our community long after graduation day.
