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Congregation
Graduates smiling while sat in the Cathedral during Congregation

Summer Congregation

Congratulations - it's time to celebrate everything you've achieved during your time at Durham!

Ceremonies will be held from Wednesday 26 June - Wednesday 3 July 2024. Please check back for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Graduand in robes smiling

Congregations update for our graduating students
- Wednesday 19 June 2024

Published: 12.25pm, Wednesday 19 June 2024

We are really looking forward to welcoming you to our Congregation ceremonies and to celebrating your achievements with you and your loved ones.

This is a special occasion. The University has been planning carefully to ensure a celebratory, enjoyable, and smoothly run graduation for all involved, as we always do. 

If you are due to graduate this summer, key ‘need to know’ information for this year’s ceremonies is below. 

Key information 

  • Our Congregation ceremonies will take place in Durham Cathedral.
  • Students will be robed and registered in the Pemberton Building on Palace Green. 
  • Before their ceremony, graduating students will line up and proceed through the rear of the Cathedral (Cloisters) to their seats in the Cathedral.
  • Guests will collect their tickets from Hatfield College and enter through the Galilee Chapel Door. From there they will be seated in the Cathedral. They must bring their allocated tickets with them.
  • All students and guests will leave via the Cathedral North Door.  They can make their way to University College (the Castle) for refreshments and celebrations. 
  • Official graduation photography will take place in a marquee in Hatfield College.

Important communications on Friday 21 June: check your email

Our Ceremonies Office will contact all graduating students with detailed event information ahead of your ceremony.

This communication will include a checklist of actions to complete before the day.

Please look out for these emails to your Durham email account on Friday 21 June.  

We will also keep this webpage up to date with the latest information. 

ENDS

 

Previous communications can be accessed on our Summer Congregation 2024 Communications page.

   

Important information

These pages contain information to assist students and guests in enjoying Summer Congregation. The timetable shows the allocation of departments to ceremonies.

We very much look forward to sharing recordings of ceremonies and will update this page in due course.

Congregation Timetable

Find out the date and time of your ceremony using the Congregation Timetable.
Graduates in robes exiting Durham Cathedral

How to Register

All graduands must complete the registration process to confirm attendance at the Congregation ceremonies.
Two graduands in robes outside Durham Cathedral

What to Expect on the Day

Find out what to expect on Congregation day, with a printable version of the important details for graduands and guests.
Graduate in academic dress posing for a photo

Photography and Film

Professional photographers will be available throughout Congregation to take photos of graduands and guests.
Graduate and family taking a selfie at Congregation

International Students and Guests

Graduands can produce their own letter of invitation to Congregation to support an application for a visitor visa for themselves and their guests.
Graduates celebrating outside Durham Cathedral

Special Arrangements and Access

Information for graduands and guests with additional needs and accessibility requirements.
Purple tabard reading

Name Pronunciation

Each graduand's name is read out in full during their ceremony - if you would like to clarify your name's pronunciation, you can contact your Faculty Office.
Graduate in robes with dog

Accommodation and Travel

Find information on getting to Congregation and how to book University accommodation here.
Durham Castle Courtyard

Congregation Fair

The Congregation Fair will be held in the marquee at University College. Meet our alumni relations team or enjoy some refreshments before and after the Ceremony.
Teddies dressed up in purple jumpers and graduation robes

Degree Certificates

Your degree certificate will be posted to the address provided during registration and will be dispatched within 8 weeks of the conferral.
Graduand holding degree parchment for photograph

Tickets

For Summer Congregation 2024, each student attending is guaranteed up to 2 tickets, with the opportunity to request 1 extra via the registration system.
Parents embracing a graduating student

Robes

Graduands must wear graduation robes (gown and hood for the award) at Congregation.
Graduands in robes entering Durham Cathedral

 

 

Discover more

Information for graduands

Graduating? Congratulations! Check out our information for graduands page to find out more about what happens during your ceremony.

Graduands in gowns celebrating

Information for guests

Attending Congregation? Learn more about what happens on the day.

A graduation marshal in the Cathedral

Celebrate with us on social media!

Congregation is all about celebrating everything you've achieved at Durham, so we encourage you to share your photos and videos with the Durham community on social media using #DUCongregation and #DUInspire. We'll also be sharing the best moments of Summer Congregation 2024 on the University's social channels, so make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn!

 

Two graduates in robes posing outside Durham Cathedral

Welcome to new alumni

Your journey with Durham isn't over - find out how to stay connected with the Durham alumni community after Congregation and access career support, alumni events and more.

What happens next?