October 2024 Graduation Ceremony:
Your graduation day is a proud and memorable occasion for all involved. This page provides information on how to plan for your big day and what to expect. As well as celebrating your successful achievement, the event will provide a wonderful opportunity for Stratford College alumni to enjoy some time in the UK and to network with fellow graduates. As part of the event, we will be holding a workshop focused on latest trends and developments in management and leadership trends and developments. The sessions will be led by experts in their fields from UK universities. We have always aimed to promote a philosophy of lifelong learning and hope that you will find this workshop enjoyable and rewarding.
These ceremonies are for all students who have successfully completed their diploma programmes and are due to graduate on or before 31st August 2024. Registration opens on the 30th April 2024 closes on the 7th of September 2024.
A live registration link will be available on this page as from 31st of May 2024.
It is the college's regulation that all those being presented at a ceremony wear the correct academic dress. You should hire or purchase these directly from the college through the graduation registration form.
Dress code
The ceremonies are formal occasions and we recommend that candidates dress smartly. We welcome national dress and military uniforms. Jeans, t-shirts, trainers and similar casual attire are not considered appropriate for graduation ceremonies.
At graduation your forename and surname (as held on your student record) will be announced as you cross the platform. If you have a name that is frequently mispronounced, you may wish to provide guidance on how your name should be said correctly.
Two guest tickets are guaranteed for each graduate attending if requested at the time of registration. This is in addition to your own ticket of admission as a graduate. If additional guest tickets are available, you will be notified by email after the registration deadline.
Ceremonies will take place on Monday 21 - Friday 25 October 2024. Exact times of ceremonies will be confirmed once registrations have closed.
A typical schedule on the day of the ceremony will include:
Morning session
10:00 A.M Welcome tea / address
10:15 A.M Robing of Gowns
10:30 A.M Introduction of Principal
10:35 P.M Speech by Principal
10:30 P.M Presenting of certificates / congratulations.
11:00 A.M Valedictory speeches
11:15 A.M Closing address
11: 20 A.M Group photos
11: 40 A.M Refreshments
Afternoon session
12:00 P.M Seminars
2:00 PM Close
Cancellation and postponement of event
While every effort will be made to host graduation ceremonies as planned, the College may cancel, delay, or postpone its graduation ceremonies due to circumstances beyond its control or where ceremonies can no longer reasonably or safely take place.
In the event of any postponement or cancellation, the College will communicate this clearly on its website and will contact each attending student directly with as much notice as is reasonably practical.
The College will not be liable for any costs incurred by either the graduand or guests due to postponement or cancellation of the event. This includes, but is not limited to, travel, accommodation and subsistence costs or any loss of business or earnings.
Therefore, the College strongly advises that graduands and their guests ensure they have sufficient insurance protection to cover any losses they may incur as a result of postponement or cancellation of ceremonies and book flexible rates for travel and accommodation wherever possible.
Data protection
Publication of names
The names of graduating students are published in the graduation programme which is available to all ticketed guests on the day. It should be noted that if any students have a tuition or tuition-related debt to the College by date to be confirmed, their names will not appear in any of the above. Occasionally, we may be advised that a student has completed their studies after the programme has already gone to print and their name will therefore not be included in the programme.
Digital media
Graduation film:
The ceremony proceedings are filmed and the recording is available to purchase after the ceremony. By electing to take part in the ceremony proceedings, you are giving permission for your image to be recorded.
Live webcast of the ceremony:
The graduation ceremonies may be broadcast live over the college's web site or social media platforms. By electing to take part in the ceremony proceedings, you are giving permission for your image to be recorded and broadcasted.
Photography:
During the day professional photographers will be taking photographs and these may be used in the college's future promotional literature. By electing to take part in the ceremony proceedings, you are giving permission for your image to be photographed and used.
Academic robes
By confirming your attendance at graduation, you the graduand confirm that you agree to wear official Stratford College of Business and Management academic robes provided by the college at the ceremony. It is the College's
regulation that all those being presented at a ceremony wear the correct academic dress.
Graduand and guest conduct
Graduands and guests are expected to behave in a manner fitting for the occasion. Any person who becomes disruptive will be asked to leave the hall.
Children
Children are very welcome at graduation but those over the age of 2 must have their own ticket of entry and occupy their own seat. We regret that children are not permitted onto the platform at any time.
If you are currently studying on a Short-Term Student standard visitor visa, you'll need to leave the UK within 30 days of your course end date or before your visa expires, whichever date is earlier. If the graduation ceremony is after this date, you're advised to return to the UK as a visitor to attend.