To think graduation fees are outrageous

[Storm4star]

So my son got his results yesterday, with an email link to book graduation. Deadline is Sunday so 48 hours. 2 guest tickets and gown hire £105!! Luckily I can afford it. But there are probably many families who wouldn’t be able to just come up with over £100 in 48 hours! Given how much degrees cost nowadays I think that’s outrageous.

I do seasonal gowning work for Ede and Ravenscroft, and as PPs have said, it is a huge logistical set-up as they gown probably about 75% of the ceremonies going on across the country. In the next couple of weeks I'm working on ceremonies for an institution that has three separate ceremonies each day for 4 days, each one with 300+ graduands. Every graduand has to be in a gown and hat that fit, with the right hood, and there are different hoods for each type and subject of degree and different gowns for some degrees as well. So it is a pricey thing to run.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of institutions won't let students take part in the ceremony if they are not wearing the gown etc. Gowns can be hired on the day, but it costs more, and there a limited stocks of spares. Also, sometimes what the other providers mentioned above supply won't be accepted.

Unreasonable charge in my opinion. My parents were not charged a penny, nor was I when my mum graduated from the Open University. Ration numbers per person (say 2 free) would be reasonable.

The tickets thing surprises me most. My gown hire was £45-£50 can't remember exactly, first two tickets free, and £10 each for any additional guests. I went to a very naice traditional collegiate RG University, so would've thought it would be at the more expensive end of things. I guess it depends if they have to hire a venue they will charge more, mine was at the cathedral on university grounds.

Oh and I forgot that included a canapé and bubbly reception back at college after the ceremony so pretty reasonable comparing to others here.

I've just checked my uni, £25 per guest and doesn't state robe hire cost. I probably wont be going, nearest is in a city 3 hours away.

I never went to mine, and it was very sad to see all my close friends celebrating together, getting excited about wearing the hat and gown, planning their dresses etc. I couldn't go to mine as I had a job elsewhere in the world lined up which I had to leave for weeks before my graduation. I found out my uni qualification over email while I was sat using free WiFi in a McDonald's in a different country. My colleagues at the time made me a hat our of cardboard and a robe out of binbags and did a mock ceremony on a beach. Best graduation pic ever.
My uni however (Leeds) pressured me so much to attend the ceremony! And when I firmly said I couldnt, they wrote to me every 6 months for 2 years inviting me to attend as a deferred ceremony.

My graduation last week cost £50 for me to attend, and was told we would not get our certificate if that wasnt paid (whether we graduated or not). Then it was £6 per guest and £40 gown hire. We got a month to pay, however we were not told of these costs before then, so not sure how I would know to save for it!

Fred It's not off Junction 13 of the M25 is it? Ds is coming home this week to avoid all that, as he says it will too noisy to work in the library for the duration.

I am a mature student, graduate this Tuesday. The graduation emails are sent a few months in advance, a follow up email reminder will be sent, which is perhaps what your son has received (and missed the first). I paid £105 for my gown and 1 photograph framed (for my mother). I received 2 free tickets and had the option to buy a further 2 at £28.50 each which I did.

This was done 2 months before I received my grade, if I had failed the money is refunded. The graduations take months to plan, everything has to be in place with the expectation you will pass (I was over the moon to recieve a 1st). It is very expensive but something you know from the start.

Hope you have a lovely day :)

Scarey, no, it's in a big London (non-academic) venue

BTW, if anyone needs hints/tips on what to wear for your graduation, just shout - eg, silky fabrics mean the gown slides off your shoulders!

I graduated in 2007 and tickets were free for DP, my 2 DS’s and my parents. Forked out £60 for gown hire and my dad took photos. Lovely venue:Symphony Hall in Brum. I didn’t bother for my PGCE at OB, but when I eventually graduate for my MSc, I’ll probably invite parents and OH again. Boys are too big with their own lives now. Just a shame that they’ll never graduate. :(

My children have all been free (and guests) other than gown hire (and in my day I bought my gown and hood and mortar board and still have them). Photos if you want them charged extra.