FAQs

Graduation ceremonies will take place between Monday 13 July to Friday 17 July 2026. 
 
The ceremonies will be held in the first direct arena in Leeds. Registration, gowning, photography and the post-ceremony celebration will be held at City Campus, Leeds Beckett University. 
 
Address: 
Leeds Beckett University 
City Campus 
Leeds 
United Kingdom 
LS1 3HE (for Sat Nav LS1 3HB) 
 
All eligible students from class of 2026 will be invited to graduation. A small number of students who asked to defer from 2025 will also be invited. 

If you missed your graduation in 2025 and would like to attend next year, please contact your school and ask them to flag you for graduation 2026.

You should confirm with them that your contact details are up-to-date. We will begin sending regular communications about graduation from mid-April 2026.

A graduation ceremony is a formal occasion where you are required to wear academic gown, hood and hat. You hire your gown, hood and hat prior to the ceremony and collect them on the day.

In the ceremony, your name is read out along with your award and course as you cross the stage. You will doff your hat to the presiding officer of the ceremony in front of an audience of your guests, course mates and academics. 

If you are graduating this year you will receive your certificate in the post after your award has been confirmed. Please ensure your postal address is up to date using the online welcome system. Certificates are not handed out at your graduation ceremony.

If you are a graduate from the class of 2025, you should have already received your certificate by post. If you have not yet received your certificate, please contact Registration and Awards. 

We began communicating about graduation early on in 2026.

If you are eligible to graduate in 2026, you will receive email communication from us to both your student and personal email addresses. Remember to keep your details up to date using the online welcome system. 

If you deferred from class of 2025 you will only receive emails from us to your personal email address. Please check the details we hold for you are correct by contacting your school administrator.

If you have done all of the above and are still not receiving emails from us, please contact the events team.

Your email inviting you to graduation is usually enough proof for your visa application. If not, complete the VISA letter request form and your school administrator can send you a letter confirming your eligibility to graduate. This will state that you are entitled to invite guests to your ceremony.

We are not able to personalise the letters with your guests’ details. If you need immigration advice concerning entering the UK please contact Student Immigration Advice and Compliance.  

If you have booked tickets but not met the criteria for conferment of an award you will no longer be eligible to attend your graduation ceremony. We will automatically cancel your booking and refund any ticket fees paid. Refunds will normally be processed by Friday 25 September 2026. 

Ticket bookings open in late Spring. We will email you with a booking link and confirm the date and time from which you can book your tickets. 

You book your place at graduation and buy guest tickets via the online store. Booking and ticket sales may open on different dates depending on the date and time of your ceremony.

You can only register your place for the ceremony if you have been invited to attend.

You will need your student ID number to register your place and buy your guest tickets. This is the 8-digit number starting with either 11, 33 or 77. Drop the ‘c’ from the start of your student number as this is your computer log in and won’t be recognised by the online store.

Yes. Please contact the events team. This will then be printed on your name card and read out during the ceremony.

If your name is often mis-pronounced, you can spell it out phonetically when you register to ensure your name is read out correctly when you cross the stage.

You can book guest tickets via the online store. Two tickets will be complementary, additional tickets will cost of £10 each. All guest tickets must be purchased in advance, the closing date for ticket sales is 17:00 on Friday 12 June 2026. There is no limit to the number of additional tickets you can buy.

You will need your student ID number to register your place and buy your guest tickets. This is the 8-digit number starting with either 11, 33 or 77. Drop the ‘c’ from the start of your student number, as this is your computer log in and won’t be recognised by the online store.

Yes, just head back to the online store to make another booking. Seats are allocated once all bookings are closed so unless you specify, all your guests will be sat together. 

There is no limit to the number of guests you can bring but all guests must have a ticket. Guest tickets must be bought in advance using the online store. The closing date for ticket sales is 17:00 on Friday 12 June 2026.

Yes. Seating will be allocated in the first direct area for all guests. If you booked your guests’ tickets at different times, you will still receive them all together and your guests will be sat together.

 

If you would like separate seating for your guests, please add this to the special requirements box when booking tickets so that we can accommodate this.

Yes, but please remember that graduation is a formal ceremony that can last up to two hours. Children under two can attend the ceremony free of charge and sit on the knee of a guest, a free under twos ticket does not include a seat in the arena.

 

Graduating students and guests do not sit together in the Leeds First Direct Bank Arena. If you are graduating your baby or child cannot sit with you and must sit with your guests. Our ushers cannot look after any children.

All ceremonies will be livestreamed on the Leeds Beckett graduation website. You can send this link straight to your absent guests for them to access the stream. 

You will receive a confirmation email from the online store after you have completed your booking. This is not your official ticket. Your official tickets will be emailed to you closer to your ceremony, usually the day before.

We will email the tickets to you as the graduating student only. For class of 2026 students, they will be sent to your personal and student email addresses.

For deferred class of 2025 students, tickets will be emailed to your personal email address. If you are unsure of what email details we currently hold for you, please check them by contacting your school administrator.

As the graduating student, it is your responsibility to share these tickets with your guests. You and your guests must each have a ticket with you on the day to enter the Leeds First Direct Bank Arena.

We want to make your experience of graduation as enjoyable as possible for you and your guests.

When booking using the online store we will ask about any accessibility requirements, disabilities and non-visible disabilities you may wish to make us aware of so we can help to make your graduation accessible to all. You will also be able to book complementary carer tickets if either you or your guests need a carer with you on the day.

Leeds First Direct Bank Arena is fully accessible with a lift to the first floor and disabled toilet facilities. A hearing loop will be available in the first direct arena.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email the events team or call on 0113 812 7745 to discuss.

If you need to cancel any part of your booking, please use this form to let us know about the changes you need to make. Please let us know if you can no longer attend, even if you are cancelling your free tickets.

We can offer refunds for guest tickets if you cancel them by 17:00 on Friday 19 June 2026.

Any refunds for gowns or photography please contact William Northam Robemakers & Photographers or telephone 01223 627977.

If you can’t make your allocated ceremony, you can graduate in absentia or you can transfer to next year. Email your school administrator with your name, student ID, course and personal email address, explaining that you wish to transfer to next year and you will be invited to graduation in 2027.

If you have booked a place at this year's graduation, you should have also booked your graduation gown and photography. The last date to pre-book these is 17:00 on Monday 29 June 2026.

Please ensure you arrive at least two hours before your ceremony to allow plenty of time to collect a gown and arrange any official photography you would like with William Northam, subject to availability. If you have not pre-booked a gown, there will be limited gowns available on the day.

Please book your gown, hood and hat in advance, this is the best way of ensuring you have the correct academic dress for your ceremony.

Gown, hood and hat hire is free of charge as part of the university's support with the cost of living. If you can no longer attend graduation please cancel your gown, hood and hat by emailing customerservices@williamnortham.com at least seven days before the ceremony date.

Yes. You can buy extended gown hire on the William Northam Robemakers & Photographers website at £20 (PhD at £25) or on the day. This is for one week of additional hire, plus a pre-paid return bag.

Yes, however they do not offer this service during the months of June and July.

The cost will be £50 and this includes the full hire and all delivery and return costs.

To order please direct to private.hire@williamnortham.com

For advice on measuring your head circumference, watch William Northam's video guide 

For advice on how to wear your robe, watch William Northam's video guide. 

The last date to pre-book official photography is 17:00 on Monday 29 June 2026. You will be able to arrange photography with William Northam on the day, subject to availability. Official photography takes place before your ceremony. We recommend you arrive at least two hours before the start of your ceremony to allow time for this. Individual and family photography will be offered at graduation 2026. 

Please arrive at Leeds Beckett’s Rose Bowl building Level 1 two hours before your ceremony is due to start.

There's lots to do before your ceremony. Check in at the Rose Bowl, collect your gown, hood and hat from the Students' Union, then have any pre-booked photography taken before making your way to the arena.

Your ceremony is held at the Leeds first direct bank arena, about a 10 minute walk from the Rose Bowl. On the day, you and your guests will be moving between venues and spending a fair amount of time on your feet, so we recommend wearing comfortable, sensible shoes.

Please follow the clearly marked graduation route and allow plenty of time to walk between locations. When making your way to and from the arena, take care when crossing roads. Use the designated pedestrian crossings where possible and be mindful of traffic, as the route passes through Leeds city centre.
You will need to allow plenty of time before your ceremony to check in, collect your gown and having your official photography. We recommend arriving two hours before your ceremony begins.

1. Check in: When you arrive at City Campus go to the Rose Bowl Level 1 to check-in. You will be given your name card which you must keep safe, as this is used to announce your name as you cross the stage in your ceremony.
2. Collect your gown: Gowns can be collected from the Students' Union, via the main Portland entrance. Guests are advised to wait in the Rose Bowl where they can enjoy refreshments.
3. Have your photography session (if required): After gowning, your official photography will be taking place on Level 2 of the Rose Bowl.
4. Head to your ceremony: You can then make your way with your guests to the first direct arena for your ceremony. Use the designated pedestrian crossings where possible and be mindful of traffic, as the route passes through Leeds city centre.

All graduating students and their guests should be in your seat 15 minutes before the ceremony starts.

The ceremony will last 1-2 hours.

If your guests are part of your photography, we would advise they arrive at the same time as you. Otherwise, they can go straight to first direct arena for the start of your ceremony. We ask that guests are seated 15 minutes before the ceremony start time.

Guests will need their tickets to enter the arena, so be sure to send these to them before they arrive. Tickets have individual barcodes and can be printed or shown on a mobile.

Bags larger than 35cm x 40cm x 10cm are not allowed in the Leeds first direct bank arena for security reasons. Please do not bring large personal items or valuables with you. There will be a left luggage room in Rose Bowl, but items are accepted at the owner’s risk and the University cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage. 

There will be a pram park at the arena and you will be permitted to take baby-changing bags into the auditorium.

If you are bringing an umbrella, please ensure that it fits inside a small bag, otherwise you will not be able to bring this inside the arena. Instead, you will be asked to leave large umbrellas at the information desk in the atrium of the arena. Any umbrellas left unattended are done so at the owner's risk. The University and venue are unable to take responsibility for personal items left at the arena, so we encourage you to bring an umbrella that can be safely secured in a bag.

The first direct bank arena has strict security procedures and a list of prohibited items. This includes alcohol, food and drink, flowers, large bags and a range of other items. There are no storage facilities at the arena, so any prohibited items will need to be disposed of before entry or you may be refused admission.

Please check the arena's full guidance before travelling: first direct bank arena safety and security guidance and share this with your guests. 

There are several city centre pay and display car parks located near to our campus buildings. These can get busy during events so we advise that you leave plenty of time to find a parking space and walk to the campus. 

Postcodes for the closest city centre car parks are as follows:

• Woodhouse Lane Multi-storey: LS2 3AX
• Merrion Centre: LS2 8BT
• St. Johns Centre: LS2 8LQ
• The Light: LS1 8TL

Park-and-ride facilities are available at Elland Road and Stourton. They are easily accessible from the motorway and will allow you to avoid driving into the city centre altogether. Please see here for more information.

Bags larger than 35cm x 40cm x 10cm are not allowed in the Leeds first direct bank arena for security reasons. Please do not bring large personal items or valuables with you. There will be a left luggage room in Rose Bowl, but items are accepted at the owner’s risk and the University cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage. 

There will be a pram park at the arena and you will be permitted to take baby-changing bags into the auditorium.

If you are bringing an umbrella, please ensure that it fits inside a small bag, otherwise you will not be able to bring this inside the arena. Instead, you will be asked to leave large umbrellas at the information desk in the atrium of the arena. Any umbrellas left unattended are done so at the owner's risk. The University and venue are unable to take responsibility for personal items left at the arena, so we encourage you to bring an umbrella that can be safely secured in a bag.

To help ensure everyone can see and enjoy the ceremony safely and without disruption, please do not bring flags, banners or signs into the venue, and remember to check Leeds first direct bank arena's list of prohibited items.

The first direct bank arena has strict security procedures and a list of prohibited items. This includes alcohol, food and drink, flowers, large bags and a range of other items. There are no storage facilities at the arena, so any prohibited items will need to be disposed of before entry or you may be refused admission.

Please check the arena's full guidance before travelling: first direct bank arena safety and security guidance and share this with your guests. 

Leeds Beckett is a cashless university - please bring cards with you to make payments for any additional tickets, hospitality and merchandise.

To help you celebrate your graduation, a range of nearby restaurants, cafés and retailers are offering exclusive promotions for graduates and their guests during the graduation period. 

We are pleased to share these offers below and encourage you to support local businesses while enjoying your graduation celebrations.

Blue Pavilion
Graduation Set Menu: 2 course meal for £38 per person. Includes a complimentary glass of prosecco or special cocktail.
Available 13 – 21 July for parties of 2 or more. Terms apply, contact restaurant for details.

Blue Sakura
All graduates receive a complimentary glass of prosecco when dining.
Available 13 – 31 July. Terms apply, contact restaurant for details.

Brasserie Blanc
Complimentary glass of fizz (or non-alcoholic alternative) for every guest in the party.
Available Mon-Fri all day, Sat before 5pm from 15 May – 20 November. Order a minimum of two courses including a main course. Terms apply, contact restaurant for details. 

Browns
Glass of champagne for everyone dining with the graduate. See here for details. 

Build-a-Bear
Graduation Bear (Pudding or Brownie Cub) with a full Graduation outfit (cap, gown and scroll) plus a ‘Congratulations’ sash for £25. Available in Leeds Trinity store only from 12 – 18 July. Contact store for full terms.

Chaophraya
Enjoy a complimentary bottle of champagne for 6+ guests or a bottle of prosecco for 4+ guests when you reserve a table in advance. See here for details. 

Clarks
20% off full price adult styles and accessories from 12 – 25 July. Contact store for full details. 

Fazenda
Complimentary bottle of sparkling wine to take home. Available with a reservation and when dining from the main menu. Terms apply, contact restaurant for details.

Leeds Beckett University offers career support to graduates for up to five years after graduation as part of our graduate promise. This means that as a new LBU graduate you can continue to access everything you were able to as a student including:

• 1:1 career coaching – in-person or online for up to 12 months after course completion
• Exclusive job opportunities
• Invitations to events, workshops and careers fairs
• Access to our online career resources and toolkits
• Access to our alumni networking platform Beckett Connect

Visit MyHub or contact gradcareers@leedsbeckett.ac.uk for support.

The Progression Check In is an important step towards becoming an LBU graduate. It's a short survey that we ask our final year students to complete between March and June, before you graduate.

The Progression Check In takes less than five minutes to complete and will ask you some short questions about your life after LBU including whether you've secured graduate-level work or further study, are taking some time out or need some support with your next steps. We also use the Progression Check In to understand where our graduates are heading next to ensure we're working with the right employers to help you secure jobs.