Graduation Walkthrough

Please arrive at Rose Bowl Level 1 two hours before your ceremony is due to start.

When you arrive you may need to queue to check in. During busy periods this might mean waiting outside for a short time but we will get you through the queue as quickly as possible.

When you reach the front of the queue, have your ticket ready to show us and we’ll check you in. We’ll also give you your name card – make sure you keep this safe until you have crossed the stage. 

The coffee shop in the Rose Bowl will be open all day for your guests to enjoy while you collect your gown.

Large bags are not allowed in the Leeds first direct bank arena for security reasons. Please do not bring large personal items or valuables with you.

If you or your guests have any extra luggage with you, we have a room available where you can leave it for the day – you will be given a tag that you can hand back to us when you return to collect it. Items are accepted at the owner’s risk and the University cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage.

Leave the Rose Bowl via the exit on Level 1, then turn right and walk up Portland Way. You can either walk up the steps at the side of the Rose Bowl or head up the pavement along the road. Cross the road at the pedestrian crossing and head into the Portland Building entrance.

You’ll queue for your gown up the stairs (lift access is also available for those who need it) and once you’ve reached the front, William Northams will ask for your booking details and help to get you looking graduation-ready!

You’ll then leave through the entrance on the corner of Woodhouse Lane and cross the road to head back to the Rose Bowl Level 2. 

If you have booked it, you’ll now meet your guests outside the Rose Bowl Level 2 entrance to queue up for your official photography. 

If you haven’t booked your photography package in advance, Northams can take on-the-day bookings, subject to availability.

Once you have taken your photos, you’ll head down the stairs at the end of the corridor, back outside Rose Bowl Level 1. Lift access is also available. From here, you’ll make your way to the arena via Portland Crescent and Cookridge Street. 

If you don’t want official photos then feel free to meet back up with your guests and make your way over to the arena.

To get to the arena, you will walk from outside Rose Bowl Level 1 (where you arrived) down Portland Crescent and back up on Cookridge Street. Cross the road and head up Clay Pit Lane to the main entrance of the arena.

This leg is around 0.5km and is on a slight upward slope.

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.

At the arena, you will be asked for your tickets (showing them on your mobile is fine) and your bags may be checked by the site security team. You will be sat separately to your guests so make sure you have sent them their tickets in advance.

During busy periods, there may be short queues outside the arena but we will be working as quickly as possible to get you to your seat. There is an accessible entrance available at the arena, to the right of the main doors.

You will then head down to the student seating area and your guests will head up the stairs to find their seats in the general seating area. Lift access is available for your guests. (What do students do?!).

Ushers will be on hand to help you find your seat. It is important that you sit in the seat that has been allocated to you on your ticket. This will ensure that you cross the stage in the correct order and alongside your fellow students from your course. 

The ceremony will start with academics from your school processing to the stage and taking their seats. Speeches and videos will follow celebrating your achievements, and then it will be your time to cross the stage.

The arena will be dark and there will be bright lights and a big screen throughout. Some ceremonies will be very busy, but we will let you know in advance if this is going to be the case.

Speak to our ushers if you have any questions or need any support during your ceremony. If you have any accessibility requirements that you want to share with us ahead of your ceremony please let us know.

We kindly ask graduates and guests to remain in the auditorium until the ceremony has concluded. Leaving during the ceremony can be disruptive and may affect the experience of fellow graduates who are still waiting to cross the stage or celebrate with their guests.

One of the things that makes graduation so special is the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the entire graduating cohort. Staying until the end helps ensure every graduate enjoys the same supportive atmosphere and recognition from the audience as they mark this important milestone.

Your seats have been allocated in a very specific order so that you will cross the stage along with students from your course. An usher will let you know when it’s your row’s turn to stand up and you will head down to queue by the side of the stage. Ushers by the side of the stage will call your name to check you are in the right order.

The queue will lead up a ramp to the side of the stage. When you reach the stage, an usher will take your name card from you and hand it to the announcer who will read out your name and any awards you may have received written on the card. You will then cross the stage and doff your cap to the presiding officer. Remember to smile for your graduation clip which will be sent to you the day after your ceremony.

You will exit the stage at the other side and then head back to your seat for the rest of the ceremony.