Your questions
- How many tickets can I apply for?
- What if I or my guests have a disability?
- Are children allowed to attend graduation ceremonies?
- When will I receive my certificate?
Ceremony questions
- Is car parking available at Sheffield City Hall and in the City Centre?
- What should I wear for my ceremony?
- What time should I arrive for my ceremony and how long does it last?
- Will I be sitting with my guests during the ceremony?
- Where and when can I collect my gown and have my photographs taken?
What should I do if...
- ...I have an outstanding debt?
- ...I can no longer attend my ceremony but have already applied and made payment online?
- ...I've changed my address since returning my reply form?
- ...I have/one of my guests has a disability that I didn't tell you about on my reply form?
- ...I need to make changes to or cancel the number of tickets I have requested?
How many tickets can I apply for?
You may apply for up to 10 guest tickets, but only four are guaranteed. Provision of any additional tickets requested will be subject to availability when online bookings closes on 21 October 2011. Further information will be given in the booking screens when booking opens on 15 August 2011.
What if I or my guests have a disability?
Arrangements can be made for anyone attending the graduation ceremony, either as a graduate or a guest, who may have special needs, eg wheelchair user or mobility problems. Please give details in the appropriate section of the online booking form and we will ensure that these are taken into consideration when allocating tickets.
Please note that the balcony area of the City Hall is very high and not suitable for those who suffer from vertigo.
Are children allowed to attend graduation ceremonies?
We value your graduation ceremony as a family occasion, and we welcome your child's attendance on this special day. However, the graduation ceremony can seem quite long to young children, so we have provided a room, equipped with toys, to which you can take children who become unsettled. Baby changing facilities are also available.
The children's room is located at Grand Circle level and will be staffed by registered childminders. Staff will request that an adult remains with the child. You can view the ceremony via a live link on a screen in the room.
If you need further information about facilities for children, please contact the Graduation Office. Queries on the day should be directed to the Graduate Information Desk situated in the main foyer.
When will I receive my certificate?
UK Students
Your certificate will be posted to your home address. We will not be handing out
certificates at the graduation ceremonies held in Sheffield in November.
If you would like your certificate posted out to a correspondence address, and not your home address, or, you would like to collect your certificate from the University in person, log into My Student Record, choose Graduation and Beyond from the side menu and click the link Certificate Address.
Students eligible to attend an overseas ceremony in Malaysia, Hong Kong or
Prague
We will normally hold your award certificate and it will
be handed out at the graduation ceremony or posted out
afterwards. If you are not attending the ceremony and would like your certificate
as soon as possible, log into My Student Record, choose Graduation
and Beyond from the side menu, click the link Certificate Address.
After your certificate has been printed, when you select Graduation and Beyond, you will see a Certificate Information link from which you can establish when your certificate has been posted or when it is ready to be collected. After your certificate is printed you will not be able to select the Certificate Address link.
If you have not received your certificate by the January following the end of your course, please contact the Student Information Processes Office by email at certificatequeries@shu.ac.uk
Please note, if you have an outstanding debt related to your programme of study you will not be eligible to receive your certificate until this has been cleared. Please see 'What should I do if I have an outstanding debt?' below.
All queries relating to your certificate should be directed to certificatequeries@shu.ac.uk.
Is car parking available at Sheffield City Hall and in the City Centre?
Car parking outside Sheffield City Hall is limited, but there are ample public car parks within a short walking distance. Sheffield City Hall and the University City Campus are both well connected by Sheffield’s Supertram network, and there is a comprehensive Park and Ride service available from various locations outside the City Centre. For further advice and information contact
- SYPTE (Bus and Supertram Traveline)
Phone 01709 515151
www.sypte.co.uk - National Rail Enquiries (times and fares)
Phone 08457 484950
www.nationalrail.co.uk - NCP Car Parks (car park finder)
www.ncp.co.uk - Q Park
www.q-park.co.uk
What should I wear for my ceremony?
We suggest that you wear smart attire. As the gown hood has a loop in front designed to hook over a button which keeps it tidy and in place, it is easier if you wear a shirt, blouse, or dress with a button-through front. Could we politely request that jeans or t-shirts are not worn.
Academic staff wear the academic robes of the University from which they graduated. Although not compulsory, it is preferred that graduates wear a graduation gown. If you elect to wear a gown you will need to wear the correct Sheffield Hallam University gown to attend your ceremony.
What time should I arrive for my ceremony and how long does it last?
We ask graduates and guests to be in their seats at least 30 minutes before the start of the ceremony, but allow at least one hour to collect your gown, have your photographs taken, etc. The ceremony usually lasts around one and a half hours.
If you are making a long journey, it is recommended that you check the weather forecast and reports of any road works along your planned route.
Will I be sitting with my guests during the ceremony?
No. As there is a specific order in which you will process to the stage, you will be seated with all the other graduates from your course in the stalls area. Your family, friends and guests will be seated elsewhere within the Oval Hall in a different area of the stalls, or the grand circle, or the balcony. You will be able to meet up with them once the ceremony is over.
Where and when can I collect my gown and have my photographs taken?
The gown collection area and photography studios will be located in the Ballroom on the lower ground level of Sheffield City Hall. They open at least two hours prior to the ceremony commencing - the earlier you arrive, the shorter the queue.
What should I do if I have an outstanding debt?
Contact the appropriate department below as soon as possible to make arrangements to clear your debt, or contact the Graduation Office for further advice.
| Tuition fees | Finance Directorate, Student Fees
To make payment +44 (0)114 225 2039 To discuss +44 (0)114 225 3902 or 3920 |
| Library fines | Learning Centre +44 (0)114 225 2115 |
| Residential debts |
Accommodation Services To make payment +44 (0)114 225 2039 To discuss +44(0)114 225 4512 |
| Loan payments |
Student Financial Support Office To make payment +44(0)114 225 2039 To discuss +44(0)114 225 2186 |
| Faculty debts | Please contact the appropriate Faculty office via the University Switchboard +44 (0)114 225 5555 |
What should I do if I can no longer attend my ceremony and I've already applied and made payment online?
Contact the Graduation Office on 0114 225 5353. We can either refund your payment (providing that we are notified before Friday 28 October 2011), or we can hold payment on your behalf and arrange for you to attend next year's graduation ceremony.
What should I do if I've changed my address since completing my online application to attend?
Contact the Graduation Office on 0114 225 5353 with your new address. Please let us know if this is just a change to your address for graduation purposes, or a change to your permanent address. If your permanent address has changed, please also make the change on My Student Record.
What should I do if I have or one of my guests has a disability that I didn't tell you about on my ticket booking form?
Contact the Graduation Office on 0114 225 5353 and we will endeavour to find a practical and suitable solution.
What should I do if I need to make changes to/cancel the number of tickets I have requested?
Contact the Graduation Office on 0114 225 5353 and we will do our utmost to accommodate your new requirements. We can make refunds on unwanted/cancelled tickets, providing that we are notified before Friday 28 October 2011. No refunds can be made after this date.
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