we-celebrate-you-graduation.jpg

Summer Graduation 2024

Graduation is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate your academic achievement with friends, family, supporters, your peers and the wider University.

Sharanjit Leyl makes a peace sign on stage with Sue and staff from our Student Union

Congratulations to the class of 2024!

This year, Summer 2024 Graduation ceremonies will be taking place on 22-24 July 2024 in the beautiful Art Deco Forum in central Bath. 

We’ve put together this guide on everything you could possibly need to know about this very important event in your Bath Spa University career. 

Just a reminder that in order for undergraduates to graduate in July 2024, your award must have been agreed by a Central Assessment Board by Wednesday 15 July 2024. 

Don’t forget to make your booking via our TicketSource platform (links in your invitation email) by the booking deadline. Sadly, we can’t guarantee availability if you miss the deadline.

Graduation dates 2024

Monday 22 July at 12:30 (School of Music and Performing Arts)

Undergraduate

  • Acting
  • Comedy
  • Commercial Music
  • Contemporary Circus and Physical Theatre
  • Creative Music Technology (all pathways)
  • Dance
  • Drama
  • Music
  • Theatre Festival and Event Production

Postgraduate

  • Commercial Music
  • Creative Producing
  • Directing
  • Music Performance
  • Sound Design

Watch the recording of this ceremony on our YouTube channel:
Monday 22 July at 12:30 (School of Music and Performing Arts)

Monday 22 July at 15:30 (School of Sciences)

Undergraduate

  • Biology (all pathways)
  • Criminology
  • Educational Psychology
  • Environmental Science
  • Food with Nutrition
  • Forensic Psychology
  • Geography (all pathways)
  • Global development and sustainability
  • Human Nutrition
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Wildlife Conservation

Postgraduate

  • Criminology – Distance Learning
  • Psychology in Practice (Applied Neuropsychology)

Watch the recording of this ceremony on our YouTube channel:
Monday 22 July at 15:30 (School of Sciences)

Tuesday 23 July at 10:00 (Education and Teach First)

Undergraduate

  • Early Childhood Studies
  • Primary and Early Years
  • Education Studies
  • International Development and Education

PGCE – Teach First

  • PGCE Primary (5-11)
  • PGDE Primary (5-11)
  • PGCE Secondary Business Studies
  • PGCE Secondary English
  • PGCE Secondary History
  • PGCE Secondary Mathematics
  • PGCE Secondary Modern Foreign Languages
  • PGCE Secondary Music
  • PGCE Secondary Science
  • PGDE Secondary Science

Postgraduate

  • Higher Education
  • Special Educational Needs Coordination (SENCO)
  • Specific Learning Difficulties/ Dyslexia
  • Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice- Distance Learning
  • Education (Leadership and Management Pathway)
  • Educational Leadership (Teach First)
  • Inclusive Education
  • Professional Practice
  • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
  • Philosophy in Education (PHD)

Watch the recording of this ceremony on our YouTube channel:
Tuesday 23 July at 10:00 (School of Education: Education and Teach First)

Tuesday 23 July at 13:00 (PGCE)

  • PGCE Primary and Early Years (3-7)
  • PGCE Primary and Early Years (5-11)
  • PGCE Primary and Early Years (5-11) School Direct Training
  • PGCE Primary and Early Years (5-11) with English Specialism
  • PGCE Primary and Early Years (5-11) with PE Specialism
  • PGCE Primary and Early Years (7-11)
  • PGCE Secondary Art and Design
  • PGCE Secondary Biology
  • PGCE Secondary Business Studies
  • PGCE Secondary Chemistry
  • PGCE Secondary Chemistry – School Direct Training
  • PGCE Secondary Computing
  • PGCE Secondary Design and Technology
  • PGCE Secondary Drama
  • PGCE Secondary Drama – School Direct Training
  • PGCE Secondary English
  • PGCE Secondary English – School Direct Training
  • PGCE Secondary Geography
  • PGCE Secondary History
  • PGCE Secondary History – School Direct Training
  • PGCE Secondary Maths
  • PGCE Secondary Foreign Languages
  • PGCE Secondary Music
  • PGCE Secondary PE
  • PGCE Secondary PE School Direct Training
  • PGCE Secondary Physics
  • PGCE Secondary Physics – School Direct Training
  • PGCE Secondary Religious Education

Watch the recording of this ceremony on our YouTube channel:
Tuesday 23 July at 13:00 (School of Education: PGCE)

Tuesday 23 July at 16:00 (Education- SCITT)

  • PGCE Primary SCITT- Buckingham Partnership
  • PGCE Primary SCITT- Cornwall
  • PGCE Primary SCITT- Hamwic Partnership
  • PGCE Primary SCITT- Kingsbridge Partnership
  • PGCE Primary SCITT- North Wilts
  • PGCE Primary SCITT- Primary Catholic Partnership
  • PGCE Primary SCITT- South West Teacher Training Partnership
  • PGCE Primary SCITT- Stourport Partnership
  • PGCE Secondary SCITT- Buckingham Partnership
  • PGCE Secondary SCITT- Cornwall
  • PGCE Secondary SCITT- i2i Teaching Partnership
  • PGCE Secondary SCITT- Kingsbridge Partnership
  • PGCE Secondary SCITT- Mid Somerset Consortium
  • PGCE Secondary SCITT- South West Teaching Training Partnership
  • PGCE Secondary SCITT- Stourport Partnership
  • PGCE Secondary SCITT- Wessex School Training Partnership
  • PGCE Secondary SCITT- North Wiltshire

Watch the recording of this ceremony on our YouTube channel:
Tuesday 23 July at 16:00 (School of Education: SCITT)

Wednesday 24 July at 10:00 (Design and Writing, Publishing and Humanities)

Writing, Publishing and the Humanities Undergraduate

  • Creative Writing
  • English Literature
  • Environment, Politics, Philosophy
  • History (all pathways)
  • Journalism and Publishing
  • Politics, Philosophy and Economics
  • Religions Philosophy and Ethics

Writing, Publishing and the Humanities Postgraduate

  • Creative Writing
  • Heritage Management
  • Environmental Humanities
  • Nature and Travel Writing
  • Scriptwriting

Design Undergraduate

  • Computing
  • Creative Computing (all pathways)
  • Cyber Security
  • Digital Animation
  • Fashion Design
  • Furniture and Product Design
  • Games Development
  • Graphic Communication
  • Graphic Design
  • Interior Design
  • Textile Design

Design Postgraduate

  • Creative Computing
  • Cyber Security
  • Design (Illustration)

Watch the recording of this ceremony on our YouTube channel:
Wednesday 24 July at 10:00

Wednesday 24 July at 13:00 (Bath Business School and BSUL)

Bath Business School Undergraduate

  • Business and Management (all pathways)
  • Fashion Marketing and Management
  • Law

Bath Business School Postgraduate

  • Arts Management
  • Business and Management
  • Marketing and Brand Management
  • Business Administration: Leadership

BSUL

  • Business and Management (all pathways)
  • Health and Social Care Management

Watch the recording of this ceremony on our YouTube channel:
Wednesday 24 July at 13:00 (Bath Business School and BSU London)

Wednesday 24 July at 16:00 (Art, Film and Media)

Undergraduate

  • Contemporary Arts Practice
  • Creative Arts Practice
  • Creative Media
  • Fashion Photography
  • Film and Screen Studies
  • Film Television and Digital Production
  • Fine Art
  • Media Communications
  • Photography

Postgraduate

  • Philosophy in Film (PHD)

Watch the recording of this ceremony on our YouTube channel:
Wednesday 24 July at 16:00 (Art, Film and Media)

Important information

Registration and guest tickets

Online Registration for graduation is now open.

Once you’ve registered to confirm attendance, we’ll contact you separately through our ticketing system with information on how to book guest tickets. All tickets will be sent to you by email through our TicketSource booking system.

For general enquiries email the Graduation Office at graduation@bathspa.ac.uk.

For queries about booking and robes please email: graduationbookings@bathspa.ac.uk.

Robes

Once you’ve registered your place, you’ll receive a link to book robes and photography so keep an eye on your inbox. Remember, you must wear the correct robes for the ceremony.

Robes can be hired or purchased only from official suppliers Ede & Ravenscroft. Bath Spa University robes are dark blue (except PhD robes, which are a lighter blue) and the hoods are blue and silver; the design of the hood varies depending on which level of award you are receiving.

Remember to leave enough time to collect your robes from Bath College before your ceremony – we recommend around 2 hours.

Venues and travel information

The graduation ceremonies will take place at the Grade II listed building The Forum in Bath. Nearby Bath College is where you'll collect your academic robes, and where official photos are taken. We recommend you allow at least two hours from checking in at Bath College to seating at The Forum.

Graduation ceremony at The Forum

The graduation ceremonies will take place at The Forum in Bath (street address: St James's Parade, Bath BA1 1UG). This Grade II listed building was originally an Art Deco cinema, and with up to 1600 seats is Bath's largest events venue.

Seating is upholstered and is raked so everybody has a good view of the stage. The Stalls on ground floor are fully accessible for wheelchair users. The Circle (first floor) is accessible only via stairs.

There are toilets on both floors, including an accessible toilet on the ground floor.

Robes and photography at Bath College

Bath College (street address: Avon Street, Bath BA1 1UP) is opposite the Travelodge and The Cork pub. This is where you'll collect your academic robes, and where official photos are taken.

There will also be a marquee and a bar situated on the front lawn, where you can spend some time with your friends and family before and after the ceremony. It will be the perfect place to meet your fellow graduates and celebrate your success together. There will also be the opportunity for more informal photos as well as meeting with our colleagues from careers and the Students Union, who will be selling BSU merchandise.

It's approximately a five minute walk between The Forum and the College.

Visit Bath

The Bath Visitor Information Centre can provide help and information.

Address: Bridgwater House, 2 Terrace Walk, Bath BA1 1LN

Email: tourism@bathtourism.co.uk

Phone: 01225 614420

Clean Air Zone

If you're driving into Bath for your graduation event, please note that Bath's Clean Air Zone (CAZ) is now in operation and that some vehicles may be subject to these charges. For more information, please visit the Bath & North East Somerset Council website.

Parking in Bath

There is no parking at Bath College or The Forum and on-street parking is very limited.

The nearest large car parks to The Forum are in Avon Street and Southgate, and there are a number of car parks in Bath.

The city also has good public transport links and several Park and Rides; you may find these websites useful when planning your journey:

Travel by train

Bath Spa train station is located in the heart of Bath’s city centre and is only a five minute walk from The Forum and a 10 minute walk to Bath College.

There's a taxi rank outside the train station.

Graduands talking together in the audience at their graduation ceremony

What happens at Graduation?

Graduation is a very special day, with lots of different elements - not least the ceremony itself. For many, this will be your first experience, so we’ve put together this guide on what to expect.

Timings are incredibly important, so please remember to take your seats at least 20 minutes before the event is due to begin.

On the day

Graduand tips his mortar board hat

Graduation checklist

In order for everything to run smoothly, please make sure you've done the following by Friday 31 May 2024:

  • Register your attendance 
  • Order your robes from Ede & Ravenscroft
  • Book your guest tickets through TicketSource
  • Booked any photos you've decided to have taken 
  • Book tickets for the post-ceremony celebration at the Recreation Ground

If you’d like to make the day extra special, why not book in for a meal somewhere? For inspiration, visit the Visit Bath website - just don’t forget to book ahead!

Gradstock

All graduates and their guests are invited to join us at Bath Recreation Ground to celebrate their achievements with their peers and academics.

Expect a fabulous relaxed summer festival vibe with a bar, food concessions, live music and photo opportunities. You can even book an afternoon tea if you're looking for something more formal.

Graduates and their guests line up at a bar inside a marquee

Whether you are coming from Bath College, where you will collect your gowns, or directly from the Forum after your ceremony, we will be there to ensure you have a memorable day of celebrations.

Bath Recreation Ground is a flat, accessible route and just a 12 minute walk from Bath College or the Forum.

There are local car parks around the area (including Bath Pavilion and Bath Cricket Club) and limited Blue Badge parking can be booked online.

Address

The Recreation Ground
Pultney Mews
Bath
BA2 4DS

Book tickets for Gradstock

FAQs

How many guests can I bring?

You are guaranteed two guest tickets (in addition to yourself) at no charge. You may purchase additional tickets (as outlined in your invitation) at a cost of £12.50 each.

We'll be looking to ensure that we can accommodate the number of guests, depending on the capacity of the venue. Guests are classified as any age and do include small children and babies.

If you'll be driving to the city please try to travel with your guests if possible.

What if I need to cancel?

Please email the Graduation Office at graduation@bathspa.ac.uk as soon as possible so that we can update our records. If you've purchased additional tickets you'll be reimbursed for these.

What if I have special requirements?

If you need help booking wheelchair spaces or other access support for yourself or your guests, please email the Graduation Office at graduation@bathspa.ac.uk.

If we are not aware that you have any special requirements, we may be unable to meet them on the day.

You can also provide us with details on your preferred name and/or how to pronounce your name. During the ceremony, your name will be read by someone from your School, but they may not know you personally, so if you would rather have a different name read out than that of your official name or think that it would be useful to provide guidance regarding the pronunciation of your name, please let us know via the link which was provided in your invitation email.

I'm experiencing financial difficulty – is there any assistance available?

Although we are providing two guest tickets free of charge, for some students the cost of hiring academic robes for the event may present difficulties. We can assist a limited number of students with the cost of hiring academic robes for graduation.

Any student who has been allocated funds from the Bath Spa University Access Fund during the current academic year, or who has received a Bath Spa University Bursary, will be given a 50% discount on their robe hire – this will be applied automatically when you book your robes with Ede & Ravenscroft. This discount will be applied only once.

What if I don't achieve my award in time for Graduation?

Should you not complete your award in time to graduate at your expected ceremony, you can obtain refunds on any of your purchases by contacting each of the services involved.

When you do complete your course, you'll be invited to the next available graduation ceremony.

Do I have to wear robes to my Graduation ceremony?

Yes, all students who attend Graduation should be wearing a robe. If you have any issues relating to this, please email graduationbookings@bathspa.ac.uk outlining your concern.

How do I order my robes?

Robes can be ordered through Ede & Ravenscroft (the University’s official gown supplier). You'll receive a link to book robes and photography once you have registered your place to attend Graduation.

Please do not send robe orders to the Graduation Office.

Where can I collect my robes?

Robes can be collected at Bath College, no earlier than 2 hours prior to your ceremony start time, and should be returned there by 6:00pm on the same day.

What kind of clothes should I wear?

Graduation ceremonies are formal events and we advise that you dress to suit the occasion, in clothing which will be manageable and comfortable beneath your robes.

The hood is designed to be attached to a button on a shirt or blouse, but can also be pinned.

I need to change or amend my registration – how do I do this?

Any changes to your booking (changes to any special requirements, change of address, etc.) should be made by contacting the Graduation Office directly: graduationbookings@bathspa.ac.uk.

Who can I contact about a refund on my gown hire, photography or other service?

Refunds for other services (gown hire, photographs, souvenirs) should be sought directly from the supplier. Please note that you may be subject to an administration fee.

When will I get my degree certificate?

Certificates will not be handed out at graduation; your documents will be sent by post to your home address after the ceremonies.

Documents are sent to the home address recorded in the student records system (SITS). If your details have changed, then these can be updated via the Evision portal or you can raise a call via MyServices and we will update SITS records on your behalf.

Is there anything to be aware of if bringing a child or vulnerable adult?

We warmly welcome younger members of your family to join us in celebrating Graduation. To help make your day enjoyable and safe for our younger guests it is important that the children in your care remain with you at all times.

We ask that you accompany younger children, and any vulnerable adults in your party too, if they need to use the toilet facilities, which will be clearly marked to indicate whether they are a single sex or open communal facility. It is also useful to know that some of Bath's historic buildings, while stunning, can have bumpy flagstone floors and steep stone staircases.

Is there anything else I should know?

Perhaps most importantly, Graduation is your big day – remember to slow down, take it in and enjoy it!

After Graduation

Keep in touch

Graduation doesn't mean goodbye! We'd love to stay in touch and support you as you start the next part of your journey.

Please sign up to secure graduate support and tell us about your plans or visit the Careers team pages.

Graduand walks confidently across the stage, waving at the crowd

Capture some memories of the day

Ede & Ravenscroft are our official photographers. You can order photographs online through their website - but please remember you must get to graduation on time. If you're late, we can't wait.

Contact them via photography@graduation-services.co.uk or by calling +44 (0)1223 861854.

On the day, the Students' Union will have a stand selling a range of Bath Spa University merchandise. Alternatively, you can pick something up online.

Why not try our Graduation Selfie Trail (pdf download) and show off the beautiful surroundings of Bath to your guests? Don't forget to share your pictures with us!

#BathSpaGrad #BathSpaProud