General Admission for Queens’ students receiving any of the following degrees is Thursday, 02 July 2026: MMath, MEng, MSci, VetMB, BA, and BTh Degrees.
Your degree will not be officially awarded to you until you have participated in the annual Congregation of the Senate House, either in person or in absence. Your degree certificate will only be issued once your degree has been conferred. Registration for the Congregation is available now via your CamSIS Self-Service page. Please refer to the ‘Registration’ section below for further information.
Graduands with outstanding College or University bills may not be permitted to graduate in person.
If you choose to receive your degree in person, you will be invited to attend the following functions: Graduation Dress Rehearsal, Senate House Ceremony and Graduation refreshments.
The Graduation dress rehearsal will be held on the evening of Wednesday 01 July 2026. It is essential that all graduands attend this, since the Praelector will use this occasion to give important instructions relating to the following day’s ceremony. There is a drinks reception for graduands following the rehearsal.
All graduands leave the College together and process to the Senate House.
After the graduation ceremony on the Thursday, the Degree Day Buffet Lunch takes place for graduates and their guests (strictly a maximum of three guests for the buffet lunch).
Booking for degree day is made via your Camsis Self-Service page please select – ‘Apply for Graduation’. You can apply to have your degree awarded in person or in absence. Registration is very simple and should only take a few minutes to complete. Please note the deadline for registration is 11 May 2026.
It is possible to hire academic robes from several tailors in Cambridge. Ede & Ravenscroft have an on-line service (which is now open). Gowns will be available for collection from the Downing Place United Reformed Church (near John Lewis) between 9.00am and 5:00pm on Wednesday 1 July and from 8:30am on Thursday 2 July. We recommend that you collect your order on the Wednesday. Remember that you must be in full academic dress for the Degree Photograph at 11.45am on the Thursday. Further details on dress code.
The Accommodation Officer will be sending an email out at the start of Easter Term to all students who are due to Graduate in July. This will include a form for you to fill in and return should guest rooms be required.
Guest Rooms will be at the standard guest room rate of £55.55 for a single and £87.95 for a twin. All charges include VAT and cafeteria breakfast.
Rooms are allocated on a first come first served basis and there is very little availability for nights after Degree Day.
Guest rooms must be vacated by 10.00 on the final day of the booking, with the exception of bookings finishing on Degree Day, which last throughout the day until 18.00.
PhotographyLafayette Photography will take a group photograph at 11.45am on Thursday 02 July in Walnut Tree Court. Copies of this photograph will be on sale from the Porters’ Lodge later in the day. Lafayette photographers will also be available to take your Graduation Day portraits in Old Court between 09.00 and 10.45am. Please book early to avoid disappointment (please note this link is not available yet; graduands will be notified when the link is open for booking).
If you graduate in person, your photograph will be taken at the moment your degree is conferred. Senate House photography will be posted online within seven days.
Please note that it is not permitted to take photographs while inside the Senate House.
There is no dress code for the events on Wednesday, 01 July.
| 17:45 – 18:45 | Drinks Reception for graduands (Old Hall and Old Kitchens) |
| 18:45 – 19:30 | Graduation Service in the Chapel (parents and friends welcome) |
| 08:30 – 09:30 | Continental breakfast, Cripps Hall (free for guests staying in College on a bed & breakfast basis; charges apply for all other guests and students) |
| 09:00 – 10:45 | Individual photos in Old Court (Booking required) (OSCR wet weather venue) |
| 10:45 – 11:30 | Graduation Day rehearsal for Graduands (Chapel) |
| 09:30 – 11:00 | Old parts of College open to Graduands and guests (last admittance into the President’s Lodge at 1045) |
| 11:45 | Degree photograph, Walnut Tree Court (Fitzpatrick Hall wet weather venue) |
| 12:45 | Graduands for First Session assemble in the Chapel |
| 13:15 | Graduands for First Session leave Old Court led by Prof. Richard Rex |
| 13:20 | Graduands for Second Session assemble in the Chapel |
| 13:20 | Senate House doors open to first session guests with tickets |
| 13:25 | First session Graduands due at the Senate House |
| 13:25 | Live Stream of ceremony begins in Fitzpatrick Hall |
| 13:50 | Graduands for Second session leave Old Court led by Prof. James Campbell |
| 14:00 | Senate House doors open to second session guests with tickets |
| 14:05 | Second session Graduands due at the Senate House |
| 14:30 – 16:30 | Drinks and Finger Buffet ( Finger Buffet served in Cripps Hall. Cripps Lawn and the Round accessible for Guests ) |
| 16:00 | Presidents Speech on Cripps Lawn (Cripps Hall in wet weather) |
You may care to show your guests around old parts of the College, which will be open from 09:30 until 11:00 (last admittance into the President’s Lodge at 10:45). The recommended route is:
Please note that the historic character of the building may make this route unsuitable for anyone who has difficulty with stairs. Due to the space restrictions within the President’s Lodge and the Library, the number of visitors must be controlled and, it is probable, that in the time available not everyone will have the opportunity to take part in the tour.
The shop in the Old Porters’ Lodge (Old Court) which sells items exclusive to Queens’ College will be open from 09:00 until 17:00
Entry to the Senate House and to the Degree Buffet Luncheon is by ticket only. The Senate House tickets for your guests can be collected from the Porters Lodge from Monday 29 June. (Graduands do not require a ticket for the Senate House). Please note that young children and babies will also need a ticket.
You may apply for a maximum of two Senate House tickets.
Luncheon tickets will be issued for you and your guests (Unfortunately, extra luncheon tickets are not available.)
Tickets will be available for collection from the Porters Lodge from Monday 29 June.
Do not forget to collect your tickets (and bring them with you on Thursday) otherwise your guests will not be admitted to the Senate House and none of your party will be admitted to the luncheon.
The Praelector will offer his right hand to the first four graduands, who will each clasp an appropriate finger with their RIGHT hands. He will then introduce them to the Vice-Chancellor. When this introduction is finished, the four will release the Praelector’s fingers.
The Esquire Bedell (on the Vice-Chancellor’s right) will then call each by name. When called, each graduand kneels down with a straight back before the Vice-Chancellor, holding his or her hands palm to palm in the manner of prayer over the Vice-Chancellor’s lap, for the Vice-Chancellor to clasp without having to lean forward. (If a square is being carried, place it on the ground by the side of the hassock but do not forget to pick it up again). The Vice-Chancellor will declare the graduand admitted. The graduate then steps back and bows and leaves the Senate House by the door at the right behind the Vice-Chancellor. The Praelector will then introduce the second four, and so on.
The formula which will normally be used by the Vice-Chancellor in admitting you to your degree contains the words ‘In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti’ (‘in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost’). You may, however, wish to be admitted without this part of the formula. If so, please select this option on CamSIS when registering for your Degree.
You may prefer to be admitted ‘in nomine Dei’, i.e., ‘in the name of God’, or ‘non-Trinitarian’ (no reference to religion at all). Please select one of these options on CamSIS when registering for your Degree.
Graduands kneel before the Vice-Chancellor when receiving their degree. If, however, kneeling is incompatible with your religious beliefs, you may stand. If you wish to stand, please select this option on CamSIS when registering for your Degree.
Please check very carefully that your dress conforms with the dress code below: this cannot be stressed too highly. You might not be allowed to be presented for your degree if your dress and general appearance do not meet the University’s exacting standards. This would be distressing for you and your guests. If you are in any doubt about the suitability of your dress do not hesitate to contact the Praelector (praelector@queens.cam.ac.uk) well in advance of the day.
Graduands are not able to take bags or belongings into the Senate House so please ensure that you arrange for your guests to take any of your possessions.
No exceptions can be made on the day itself.
A plain black suit, black dinner suit, or very navy blue or very dark grey lounge suit. These must be dark enough not to contrast obviously with a black gown. Freshly polished black shoes of a sober style (no sandals, boots or trainers; and no buckles, ornamental stitching or other embellishments) and plain black socks, white shirt with white bow-tie and academic bands. No cummerbands.
Or:
A black, very dark grey or very dark navy, dress, suit or skirt (below the knee), or formal full-length trousers with a white or black blouse or white blouse and black cardigan. These must be dark enough not to contrast obviously with a black gown. Freshly polished black shoes of a sober style (not sandals, open toe shoes, boots or trainers; and no buckles, ornamental stitching or other embellishments); plain black or flesh coloured tights or stockings (no fishnet or patterned; legs must not be bare). Dresses may have a white collar. The dress, jacket, blouse or cardigan must have long sleeves (i.e. fore-arms must not be bare).
General Admission
MA Congregation
The MA is senior to all BA and most MPhil degrees. Therefore, candidates must not wear undergraduate gowns. The MA gown and hood are only worn after graduating.
Ordinary Congregations
Ede & Ravenscroft on-line booking service
These are not permitted, except that national dress (e.g., a kilt) might be allowed, but only with special authorisation from the Proctors, which must be sought through the Praelector well in advance and at least a month before the congregation. Without this special authorisation, national dress is not permitted. Clerical dress (a black cassock) may be worn instead of a suit by those suitably qualified. A graduand wearing a cassock must also wear a white collar, bow tie and bands, or clerical equivalent. If in doubt about a particular costume, please consult the Praelector well before the date of the congregation.
I. The term “black” extends to very dark grey or very dark blue, but not to ordinary greys or blues, nor brown of any shade. Obvious pin-stripes are not permitted.
II. Heavy jewellery may not be worn. No coloured or pendant earrings or bracelets. Facial jewellery through piercings (other than earrings) should be removed.
III. Obtrusively unconventional hair styles are not permitted.
IV. No head-dress other than a square (academic cap) is permitted, except for religious reasons. The square is entirely optional, and must be carried and not worn during the ceremony.
For more information on academic dress please refer to the University website and to the Student Union’s page.
Regrettably, we are unable to offer onsite parking for Degree Day (this includes events taking place on Wednesday evening). You should therefore make alternative arrangements if you are planning to travel to Cambridge by car. Some suggestions are listed below:
Full details of the Cambridge Park and Ride Scheme are available from Cambridgeshire County Council Park and Ride.
There are 5 Park and Ride sites available around the City. The most convenient site for access to Queens’ College is the Madingley Road Park and Ride site.
Full details of all the Cambridge City Council car parks.
Taxis can be called from the Porters’ Lodge at Queens’ College.
Please ensure you allow plenty of time for your journey to Queens’. It is not possible to delay proceedings at the Senate House for any late arrivals, indeed you will not be admitted to the Senate House at all if you arrive after the start of the ceremony.
Please ensure that you log-in to CamSIS and record a first destination postal address and an external email address. This is imperative if you wish to receive your Transcript which will be posted to your first destination address after you have left College.
This information will also be used by the Alumni Office for future mailings and, when appropriate, to contact eligible students about receiving an MA Degree. Please keep your contact details updated to enable us to stay in touch with you.
Contact details for the Alumni & Development Office:
Telephone: +44 (0)1223 331944
Email: alumni@queens.cam.ac.uk
Queens’ website: http://www.queens.cam.ac.uk/alumni-development
Site Search