Planning is currently underway for the Class of 2024 graduation in December.

We will keep these FAQs up to date and recommend that graduands read them ahead of registering, to understand the latest information.

The Events

When will ceremonies be held in December?

We are planning to hold winter graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2024 at Leeds Playhouse on Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 December. Eligible graduands will be invited to join a ceremony for their programme with their course-mates. The full schedule is available here.

Why are the ceremonies being held off-campus?

Our winter Graduation ceremonies will be held at Leeds Playhouse following a successful set of ceremonies in July. To ensure our graduands and guests have the best experience possible, we are working with the Playhouse to utilise their fantastic theatre space and facilities again, ready to celebrate the success of our graduands

What will happen at the ceremonies in December?

Gowning and professional photography will be available at Leeds Playhouse in the two hours before the start of the ceremony; graduands will be allocated a timeslot for this following registration to help make this as easy as possible. The graduation ceremonies will be held in Leeds Playhouse's largest theatre space – The Quarry – with morning ceremonies starting at 11:00am and afternoon ceremonies starting at 3:00pm. The ceremonies will centre on the graduands, with the presentation of awards and prizes, and speeches. Following each ceremony, there will be a small drinks reception for graduands, with guests able to purchase additional refreshments.

During registration, each graduand will be able to book a maximum of four guest tickets, free of charge, to join them in the event spaces at Leeds Playhouse. All four guests will be able to watch the ceremony in The Quarry. Please note that guest tickets will be required to access the event spaces at Leeds Playhouse.

How long will it last?

We’d suggest you plan to be at Leeds Playhouse for around four hours – arriving around two hours before your ceremony for gowning and photography, one hour for the ceremony, and one hour for the drinks reception. 

This means being at Leeds Playhouse 9:00am – 1:00pm for morning ceremonies, and 1:00 – 5:00pm for afternoon ceremonies.

Once registration is complete, graduands will be allocated a timeslot for gowning and professional photography, to make the process as easy as possible. The allocated timeslots will be sent out to graduands with further information in the weeks following the registration deadline.  

Where will the event take place?

Gowning and professional photography will be available at Leeds Playhouse in the two hours before the start of the graduation ceremony in the Barber Studio. Graduands will be sent an allocated timeslot for this after registration closes, to help make this process as easy as possible. Ceremonies will be held in The Quarry, followed by a drinks reception in the Playhouse Bar. We will have Leeds Trinity ushers and Leeds Playhouse staff on the day to help guide you and your guests (up to four) around the designated areas of Leeds Playhouse.

Am I eligible?

Graduands will be eligible to attend an event dependent on academic subject area and programme of study. You will only be able to attend the event to which you are invited.  

Graduands who have not completed their programme of study are invited 'subject to successful completion'.

Students who are in debt to the University may not, in certain circumstances, have their awards conferred either by attending a graduation event or receiving an award certificate. Further information about this may be obtained from the Finance Office, AM3, +44 (0)113 283 7100.

How do I register for my ceremony?

Graduands will be sent an email to register for their graduation ceremony via e:Vision w/c 30 September. Booking must be made by Friday 11 October to enable necessary preparations.

Guest arrangements, including ticket allocation and seating, will be managed by the Playhouse Box Office. By registering to attend your graduation ceremony, you are consenting to us sharing this information with the Playhouse Box Office.

We will share your information with the Playhouse Box office once the graduation registration period closes on Friday 11 October 2024.

On Monday 28 October 2024, you will receive an email from Leeds Trinity University containing a link to a Microsoft Form. This form will allow you to provide details of your guest arrangements and how to request your guest tickets

Can I register to attend after Friday 11 October?

Bookings must close on Friday 11 October so that we can confirm student numbers and allow sufficient time to make the necessary arrangements for the events.  

Requests to attend a graduation event after the published registration deadline will unfortunately not be possible to accommodate; graduands will be offered the opportunity to defer their attendance.

Can I choose which event session to attend?

Eligible students will be invited to attend the ceremony alongside course-mates for their specific programme. These are designed to meet health and safety/fire capacities at the venue, therefore it will not be possible for students to choose which event session they would like to attend.

I am or my guests are currently overseas, can we register to attend?

All visitors should follow the latest government guidance about international travel.

Can I defer and attend a future ceremony instead?

Yes, it is possible to defer to our summer ceremonies. Please ensure you still complete the registration process via your e:Vision account by 11 October to choose this option. It is anticipated that summer events will take place in July 2025.

Do I have any other options?

Graduands can choose to have their award documents posted to them. If you choose to do so, you will not be able attend a future ceremony. Graduands must register their preferred graduation option via their e:Vision account by Friday 11 October.

How will I receive my award documentation?

If you choose to attend your graduation ceremony in December 2024, it is anticipated that your award documentation will be available for collection on the day of your event. If you choose not to attend, we will post your award documentation to you via recorded mail.

You will be asked to check and update your postal address as part of the e:Vision registration process so please ensure that you complete this even if you will not be attending the event so that we have the correct details for you.

What if I cannot attend on the day/my plans change?

If you register to attend your graduation ceremony but do not attend on the day, your certificate will be posted to the contact address given during the e:Vision registration process.

If you attend a graduation ceremony without registering your attendance by the published deadline, we will not be able to accommodate this due to the planning and preparation required. In such instances your certificate will be posted to a nominated address.

What if the event is postponed or cancelled?

If graduation ceremonies cannot take place or are delayed or the event time needs to change due to circumstances beyond the control of Leeds Trinity or Leeds Playhouse, including (without limitation) fire, explosion, terrorist act (or threat of terrorist act), act of God, pandemic, national mourning, student registration exceeds our capacities, or as a result of any industrial action or dispute involving Leeds Trinity, Leeds Trinity and/or Leeds Playhouse will not be liable for any losses, direct or otherwise, incurred by graduands or guests. Leeds Trinity shall give as much notice as is reasonably possible to graduands of such cancellation, delay or postponement.

What happens if I don’t pass or have resits to take?

To attend the December 2024 ceremonies, you must have successfully passed your programme of study and your award conferred by a Progression and Award Board by Wednesday 6 November 2024. If you register to attend a ceremony in December 2024 and need further time to complete your studies, your place at the December event will automatically be cancelled and you can organise for a refund of your gown hire. If you should be eligible to attend a future graduation, we will contact you in March/April 2025 with further details.

Guests

How many people can I bring with me?

You will be able to bring a maximum of four people with you. During registration, you will be able to register for up to four guest tickets. Only your four guests will be able to access the Barber Studio for photography and gowning, The Quarry to watch the ceremony, and the Playhouse Bar and Kitchen for the drinks reception following this.

Guest arrangements, including ticket allocation and seating, will be managed by the Playhouse Box Office. By registering to attend your graduation ceremony, you are consenting to us sharing this information with the Playhouse Box Office.

We will share your information with the Playhouse Box office once the graduation registration period closes on Friday 11 October 2024.

On Monday 28 October 2024, you will receive an email from Leeds Trinity University containing a link to a Microsoft Form. This form will allow you to provide details of your guest arrangements and how to request your guest tickets

Please make sure you complete the Microsoft Form within the specified deadline to facilitate the allocation of guest tickets by Leeds Playhouse. Contact details for the Playhouse Box Office will be provided. Should you have any problems, you should contact them directly. Failing to submit the form by the given deadline may result in you not being allocated any guest tickets for the ceremony.

 

Can I bring more than four people with me?

Unfortunately not. The graduation ceremonies are designed to accommodate programmes and meet health and safety/fire capacities at Leeds Playhouse. A maximum of four guests will be able to accompany graduands in the event spaces at Leeds Playhouse and guest tickets must be booked during registration.

The offer of four free guest tickets is in line with previous years, pre-pandemic.

I have children who would like to come, is this possible?

Yes, as long as they are counted in your total of four guests tickets for the event spaces at Leeds Playhouse. Children under the age of two years will require an infant guest ticket to enter The Quarry and must be seated on an adult’s lap in the venues.

Children under the of 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.

I or my guests require a carer, are they able to come?

Yes, as long as they are counted in your total of four guests. Please contact us directly by emailing records@leedstrinity.ac.uk if you have any concerns.

I would really like to bring more people with me, is there any chance of increasing my number of guests?

Unfortunately not. The graduation ceremonies are designed around programmes and to meet health and safety/fire capacities at Leeds Playhouse. A maximum of four guests will be able to accompany graduands in the event spaces at Leeds Playhouse and guest tickets must be booked during registration (four tickets to watch the ceremony in The Quarry). The offer of four free guest tickets is in line with previous years, pre-pandemic. If you arrive with more guests, please note that they will not be able to join you in the graduation event spaces at Leeds Playhouse.

Gowning and photography

How do I hire a gown and book professional photography?

After registering your attendance at your ceremony via e:Vision, you will be able to hire a gown and book photography via our supplier partner Marston's website. You will need to make these arrangements by Friday 29 November. Gowns will be £39 if booked in advance or £49 on the day. We recommend booking your gown in advance to ensure that the correct size is available to you as these will be limited on the day. When booking in advance, please ensure you complete the full order process and receive a confirmation email.

Do I have to hire a gown?

Graduation is a formal occasion and all graduands participating in the ceremony must wear formal academic dress.

How much does it cost to hire a gown?

Gown hire will cost £39 if pre-ordered. Gowns will need to be pre-ordered before Friday 29 November. We strongly recommend pre-ordering as there is no guarantee of all sizes being available on the day. Please ensure if booking in advance that you complete the full order process and receive a confirmation email from our gowning suppliers. If you do not pre-order, the hire price on your graduation day will be £49.

Can I take my gown away with me?

Yes, if you book 'extended hire' when you place your gown hire order. This means you can take your gown away with you for celebrations at home or elsewhere and return it directly to Marston's in the pre-paid envelope within seven days. The cost of 'extended hire' is £35 including return costs, with a pre-paid bag/label provided.

What should I wear under my gown?

The event is a time to celebrate so you want to look your best for your photographs. We recommend that graduands wear smart clothes under their gowns.

If you're receiving a Bachelor's, Master's or Doctor of Philosophy award, it is recommended to wear a buttoned shirt or blouse in order to secure your hood; your hood has a loop which is best secured around a button which is in line with your collar bone. Wearing a t-shirt or low-cut top makes securing the hood more difficult and can mean it feels uncomfortable if it slips off your shoulders.

Also don't forget your footwear – you will receive your gown and have professional photogrpahy in the Barber Studio before your graduation ceremony in The Quarry, so be prepared for stairs and moving across the stage to collect your award. 

Do I have to book professional photography?

No. There will also be the opportunity for informal photography for you and your guests during your time at Leeds Playhouse.

What is the price of professional photography?

The professional photography packages start from £25 and packages can be pre-ordered via our supplier Marston.

If you decide not to pre-order your photography package, you can still decide on the day to have professional photographs taken and there will be a £15 studio fee to pay.

What happens if I am unable to attend the event?

If you are unable to attend the event for any reason, Marston operate the following refund policy on gown hire:

We refund in full any hire contract which is cancelled in writing (email is acceptable) 5 working days or more in advance of the start of the event's ceremony schedule for which you have booked for. Please note this means should you be attending a ceremony later in the schedule, you may be required to give more notice than those attending the first ceremony in the event's schedule.

For hire orders cancelled less than 5 working days before the start of the event ceremonies, no refund is payable.

To read more about Marston's terms and conditions of hire, visit their website.

Will the University be taking its own photos/video?

Please be aware that the graduation events are regarded as a public occasion. The University’s photographers will be situated around Leeds Playhouse taking photographs and video footage of the event for internal and external use. Graduands and guests who do not wish their image to be used in this way should inform the photographer on the day.

Leeds Trinity works with a media supplier to produce a personalised digital video clip for each graduand attending graduation. To offer this service, Leeds Trinity will provide the supplier with the graduand presentation name and award name. 

Students will be asked to opt in or opt out of their information being shared with the supplier for a personalised clip during e:Vision registration. 

What about printed publications?

Leeds Trinity produces a souvenir programme for all graduation ceremonies and works with a regional publication on an article about Leeds Trinity graduation. The graduate official name and award name will be included in these publications, however, final degree classifications are not included. 

Graduands will be asked to opt-in or opt-out of their information being included in such publications during e:Vision registration. 

 

 

The venue Leeds Playhouse

Where will the graduation ceremonies be held?

There will be a number of event spaces at Leeds Playhouse to accommodate graduation. Gowning and professional photography will be held in the Barber Studio, the graduation ceremony will be held in The Quarry and a drinks reception will be held in the Playhouse Bar. Please remember that guest tickets will be required to access all of the event spaces at Leeds Playhouse.

Why are the ceremonies being held at Leeds Playhouse?

Our winter Graduation ceremonies will be held at Leeds Playhouse following a successful set of ceremonies in July. To ensure our graduands and guests have the best experience possible, we are working with the Playhouse again to utilise their fantastic theatre space and facilities, ready to celebrate the success of our graduands.

Will I be able to purchase refreshments?

There will be a drinks reception after the graduation ceremonies for graduands, with the opportunity to purchase some additional refreshments for both graduands and guests.

Water will be available from the Terrace Bar so we recommend bringing a water bottle to top up during the day. Only bottled water will be permitted in The Quarry during ceremonies.

Can I bring drinks into the ceremony?

Only bottled water will be allowed to be brought into the ceremonies. Water will be located at the Playhouse Bar where you will be able to fill up cups or empty bottles. We would recommend bringing a refillable bottle if you can.

Can I take alcohol into Leeds Playhouse?

Leeds Playhouse is a shared space for collective enjoyment. Their alcohol licence allows drinks to be served by them, but to keep everyone safe it says you can't bring your own. We appreciate you may receive gifts or be planning to celebrate after your ceremony; if you do bring alcohol to the Playhouse, please be prepared to leave it with the Playhouse security team and collect it when you are ready to leave. Find out more about the Playhouse's House Guidance on its website.

Can I bring a bag to Leeds Playhouse?

As part of the Playhouse's usual conditions of entry, their security staff reserve the right to carry out bag searches and request that larger bags be put in the cloakroom at a cost of £1.

Will there be an area to worship?

Leeds Playhouse has a multifaith prayer room which can be accessed for religious purposes. Please speak to a member of Leeds Playhouse staff on the day to arrange this.

Will we be able to socialise at Leeds Playhouse before or after the event?

Like campus, there is limited space at Leeds Playhouse. You will be given a time slot to arrive at the venue. This allows time for gowning and professional photography, and the opportunity to catch up with friends before the ceremony starts.

The ceremony will last about an hour and you will have a chance to catch up with friends/family at the drinks reception.

Leeds Playhouse is in the heart of the city, with plenty of hospitality venues close by to continue your celebrations.

What about my tutors? Will they be attending?

The schedule has been shared with academic departments and tutors will be invited to attend.

Getting to Leeds Playhouse and arrival

Where is Leeds Playhouse?

Leeds Playhouse is located in Leeds city centre:

Playhouse Square
Quarry Hill
Leeds, LS2 7UP

Details on how to find it are available on the Leeds Playhouse website.

 

When will I need to arrive?

Please arrive around two hours before the start of your graduation ceremony. Ceremonies will commence at either 11:00am (with arrivals from 9:00am) or 3:00pm (with arrivals from 1:00pm). This allows time for gowning and professional photography, and the opportunity to catch up with friends before the ceremony starts.

I or my guests require blue badge parking. What are the provisions for this?

Leeds Playhouse does not have any designated parking, however there are a number of public car parks located nearby and the city centre is accessible by public transport. Find out more about getting to the Playhouse on its website.

My guests and I will be travelling by car, what should we do?

The Leeds Playhouse does not have any designated parking, however there are a number of car parks located nearby and the city centre is accessible by public transport. Find out more about getting to the Playhouse on its website.

Can I or my guests travel by public transport to Leeds Playhouse?

The Leeds Playhouse is a 15 minute walk away from the Leeds train station, and just over the road from the Leeds bus station. Leeds is well connected with regular trains and buses from areas across West Yorkshire and beyond.