FAQ

1) When will I receive my tickets?

You will need to collect tickets for you and your guests from the registration desk at the Epsom Downs Racecourse on the day of the ceremony, which is open from 12noon and closes at 1.45pm. 

2) When should I arrive?

Graduands must go to the registration desk on arrival at the venue. The registration desk opens at 12 noon and closes at 1.45. Latecomers cannot be admitted. This is to allow time for robing and to ensure a smooth running ceremony for all of our graduates and guests. Please, therefore, allow ample time for your journey!

While graduand MUST arrive by 1.45pm,however their guests do not have to arrive with them and may arrive up until 215pm by prior arrangement. If guests cannot arrive till after 1.45pm please contact graduation@nescot.ac.uk by 9am on Sunday 4 February 2024 to advise us. Guests arriving separately must arrive by 2.15pm at the latest to ensure seating. Guests not taking their seats when asked to do so may be refused entrance to the ceremony, in order to ensure an enjoyable ceremony for all graduands and other guests. Please listen to announcements on the day.

3) What should I wear?

All graduands and guests should wear formal clothes. Graduands must wear a gown to be presented with your award on the stage, and you will have booked your own gown hire in advance through Evess. You must arrive by 1.45pm at the latest on the day to allow enough time for gowning.

You might find it easier to wear your graduation gown over a shirt or a blouse with buttons, because this can help to secure the hood of the gown. Some students prefer to wear a tie for the same reason. If you choose a top made from a silky fabric then the gown might slide over it, so we'd strongly recommend that you bring safety pins with you so that you can keep your gown in place. 

Graduands will not be able to collect their award on stage in trainers or similar shoes, except by prior arrangement if this is an accessibility requirement. Clothing with slogans or images must not be visible on stage.

4) Accessibility for graduates and guests

The Ceremony venue is accessible by wheelchair. A ramp up to the stage for the presentation will be made available if required, but please inform us in advance. We can reserve parking spaces immediately outside the Entrance to the Grandstand.

Graduates: If you use a wheelchair then we will be happy to arrange a ramp for you to go up to the stage on. Please contact us to let us know on graduation@nescot.ac.uk by 30 January 2024. Any other accessibility questions for graduates can also be sent on that email address. If you are walking up the stairs to the stage then please keep this in mind when you choose your shoes.

Guests: please send any accessibility requests to graduation@nescot.ac.uk by 4 Feb 2024

5) Is car parking available?

There is ample free parking available near the Duchess's Stand. However this is provided by the host venue at their discretion and Nescot are unable to accept any responsibility for any problems with parking. There is also some parking available on nearby streets.

6 )Will I sit with my guests during the ceremony?

No, you will sit with other students in your class and subject area receiving their awards, towards the front of the room. Graduands sit with their cohorts in order of presentation for the stage. Please sit where instructed to ensure your name is read out at the correct time.

Guests are seated in parties towards the middle to rear of the room. Every effort will be made to ensure that all your guests are seated together, but we cannot guarantee this. Children under 3 can sit on an adult guest's lap and do not need a ticket.

7) Can I purchase additional guest tickets?

ALL TICKET SALES ARE NOW CLOSED. 
We anticipate that all graduands have the opportunity to book three guest tickets each (subject to availability). There may be a second wave of bookings opened up, at which point additional tickets can be purchased - graduands will be informed by email of this around 5 Jan 2024.

8) I have booked but can no longer attend.

FROM 10 JAN: No refunds can be issued

Please contact the Events Team. We will process any reasonable requests for refunds up until Weds 10 January 2024.

9) Children

We are pleased to welcome all your guests to share your special day, including children. Please note:

Children under 3 do not need their own guest ticket, but will be expected to sit on the lap of an adult guest (we can accommodate one child under 3 per adult guest)

Children aged 3 and over - you will need to purchase a guest ticket, and they will have their own seat. Due to our costs in hiring the venue, children's tickets are the same price as adult tickets.

Children, like all guests, and welcome to clap and cheer graduates. We do ask that all guests remain quiet during speeches and respectful of all graduates receiving awards on the day. If your baby is crying during the ceremony you are welcome to remain in the room but you may wish to move towards the rear and side of the hall where there to be some standing room

For any other queries, please see the 'contacts' page

INFORMATION MAY BE UPDATED AHEAD OF THE CEREMONY IF CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE

Last update 12 Jan 2024