Graduation tickets
Our wonderful campus is the perfect backdrop for celebrating your graduation, offering you the opportunity to join two exclusive events to mark this momentous occasion.
Find out the key information that you need to book graduation tickets for you and your guests.
Tickets for ceremonies in 2026
Pre-book your tickets
To attend any part of the graduation experience you will need to pre-book your tickets. Bookings must be made by a graduand, but you can book up to two guaranteed guest tickets as part of your booking.
Wristbands with your seat number on are issued to all graduands and to those guests who have reserved seats. All other guests are issued with a plain wristband.
Ticket dates for ceremonies in 2026
Postgraduate ceremonies - April 2026
- Invites to ceremonies will be sent via email in December 2025.
- Tickets to attend the postgraduate ceremonies in April 2026 will be available to book between Monday 12 January - Friday 6 March.
- If extra tickets are available and you have requested them, you will be contacted via email week commencing Monday 9 March and will have until Friday 20 March to book them.
Undergraduate ceremonies - July 2026
- Invites to ceremonies will be sent via email in March 2026.
- Tickets to attend the undergraduate ceremonies in July 2026 will be available to book between Monday 27 April - Friday 5 June.
- If extra tickets are available and you have requested them, you will be contacted via email week commencing Monday 8 June and will have until Friday 19 June to book them.
Wristbands for graduands
We are proud to be able to offer graduating students free access to both your ceremony and the celebratory reception, including unlimited visits to the buffet tables, sweet treat stands and free-flowing drinks during the exclusive themed reception!
Your graduand wristband gives you:
- Your own seat at the degree conferment ceremony in Guildford Cathedral
- Access to our exclusive themed reception
- Delicious afternoon tea with sparkling wine and unlimited refreshments. Check out the menu for the full list of food and drink available.
- Brilliant photo opportunities, entertainment and a fantastic atmosphere alongside your friends, family, and course mates
- Two guaranteed tickets for your friends and family, with the option to request more tickets if you need them.
You can find out more about the graduation experience on our on-the-day page.
Be sure to book your ticket before the deadline - we are unable to take late bookings, and we don't want you to miss the occasion!
We want to ensure that your name is pronounced correctly when being presented with your degree. If you find that people often have difficulty pronouncing your name you can fill out our Graduation ceremony name pronunciation form here.
Please note: You can't book your place at graduation if you have any outstanding tuition fees. Please check our eligibility guidance for more information.
Tickets for your friends and family
Graduation is a milestone worth celebrating with those who matter most.
Pre-booking Ceremony/Live Stream and Reception tickets is the ONLY way to guarantee that your special guests can be part of the full Surrey Graduation experience!
- You are guaranteed up to two guest tickets for both the ceremony and the reception which must be booked online.
- You can request additional tickets when booking if you would like to bring more guests. Once bookings have closed, confirmation of additional tickets will be sent via email to confirm how many of your additional tickets can be booked.
- All tickets (including those for the reception) for under 12s are free! We recommend that under 12s don't attend the Ceremony (their own special day will come in a few years!) but if they do attend and become restless or start crying we kindly ask that you take them out of the Cathedral to reduce disruption.
- Graduands who are in receipt of hardship funding support during their final year of study, or who have been awarded a low income or care-experienced scholarship or bursary, will be eligible to apply for their two guest tickets free of charge.
Types of friends and family tickets available
- Ceremony and reception - this is the best way to make the most of the full experience. Your guests will be present in the iconic Cathedral for your big moment on the stage and will also get exclusive access to the themed reception with all food and drink included in the ticket price! These tickets are £27.50 per person (free for under 12s). Check out the menu for the full list of food and drink available.
- Live stream and reception* - a more informal setting to watch the ceremony, your guests can watch a professional live stream in one of our comfortable lecture theatres. Ideal for those who prefer a quieter environment, or do not want to walk up to the Cathedral but still want to be part of your memorable day and enjoy all the food, drink and snacks at the themed reception. These tickets are £20 per person (free for under 12s). Check out the menu for the full list of food and drink available
* Should the Cathedral become full, live stream tickets will be offered as an alternative.
Tickets for our 2026 ceremonies will be made available here in due course
Mobility and dietary requirements
Disabled, elderly and small children
The route from the University to the Cathedral involves climbing a lot of steps and is very steep. Entrance to the Cathedral is via a series of ramps.
If you or a guest in your party are in a wheelchair, have difficulty in negotiating steps or might find the climb from campus to the Cathedral particularly strenuous or difficult, please select the appropriate drop down box when making your booking. We will then provide you with a cathedral car parking permit which you can collect on the day when you collect your wristbands.
If any member of your party is a blue badge holder, please email the Exams and Graduation team at ceremonies@surrey.ac.uk as we will provide you with a cathedral car parking permit to accompany your blue badge.
There are a number of disabled parking bays at the Cathedral which are available for those with a blue badge. This enables us to monitor the amount of parking required each day.
If you have any queries or concerns about access to the Cathedral do please contact the Exams and Graduation team (ceremonies@surrey.ac.uk).
Dietary requirements
When making your booking, please select your dietary requirements from the drop down menu. If your dietary requirements are not listed then please select the ‘other’ option and email ceremonies@surrey.ac.uk with your dietary requirements.
Parking permits
All cars are to be parked in the main university car park, there is no need to book in advance.
