Venue

Getting to the venue

Your ceremony will take place at the Royal Festival Hall, part of the Southbank Centre in central London.

The Royal Festival Hall is a Grade I-listed venue on the banks of the River Thames. Its auditorium seats up to 2,500 guests and has hosted concerts, award ceremonies and film premieres for more than 70 years.

Arriving for your ceremony

Graduates and guests should enter through the Southbank Centre Square Doors (Level 1).

This is where you will:

• check in with the Graduation team
• register your arrival
• collect your paper ceremony tickets.

You must collect your ticket here. You will not be allowed into the ceremony hall without it.

Accessible entrances

The venue is wheelchair accessible and includes hearing loops.

If you or your guests require step-free access:

• enter through the Mandela Entrance
• go to Level 2
• check in at the VIP and accessibility desk.

To reach Level 2, use the lift next to the Artist’s Entrance.

When booking your student and guest tickets on the Graduation Portal, you will be able to tell us about any access requirements. Our team will contact you to make sure everything is arranged for your ceremony.

After your ceremony

Graduates and guests are welcome to return to campus to continue celebrating.

You may wish to:

• explore the campus
• take photographs
• celebrate with friends and family.

We will email graduates with details of any on-campus activities once they are confirmed.

We also plan to provide a gown drop-off point on campus. Full details will be shared closer to the ceremonies.

You can also check the Graduation Checklist for gown return requirements.