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Original poster

Having to pay for Graduation Tickets

31 replies

NotTerriblyImpressed · 09/07/2022 18:47

Just had to pay for two tickets for DS graduation - these weren’t extra tickets just two for us as his parents. Graduation taking place on campus - feeling miffed. Didn’t have to pay for DS1 and that was also on campus. Of course we want to be there just think universities have done very well out of their students already. Expect to pay for Gown hire and photos but surprised to have to pay when it’s on the campus!

OP posts:
Zone2NorthLondon · 09/07/2022 18:55

Congratulations on daughter achievement.I was not charged to graduate, and allocated 2 free tickets to attend
Gowns are mandatory yes and you pay
Official photos aren’t mandatory and I didn’t get official photos. Lots of photos on phone and chose what I liked

Zone2NorthLondon · 09/07/2022 18:56

Gah, congratulations on son achievement😀

BettaSplenden · 09/07/2022 18:57

To be honest it's more surprising the first one you didn't pay for. Are you sure ds1 didn't just pay instead the first time? The graduation I've had, or had to attend have always been paid for tickets. I think graduation is a complete money making opportunity and I've already told my parents I'm not planning on attending another one when I finish off my education.

RubiesandRose · 09/07/2022 19:03

I've had two DC's graduate this year due to Covid delays and haven't paid for tickets. DS was allocated 2 tickets and 2 screening tickets and DD was allocated 3 tickets.

I've not heard of paying for tickets and think it's a bit shabby tbh, it's been expensive enough already with petrol/train fares, overnight accommodation and meals out afterwards.

PoisonedIvydaffs · 09/07/2022 19:06

I paid for tickets to mine and that was over a decade ago.

You’re paying for tickets to the celebration. You don’t have to go, you can just get your certificate in the post.

kitcat15 · 09/07/2022 19:11

You don't pay at either of the 2 universities closest to me ( NW) ...you get 2 free tickets...then can apply for more if others don't use theres

Zone2NorthLondon · 09/07/2022 19:13

I have never paid for tickets.
2 undergrad degree
1 post grad
Got 2 free and requested other free tickets too

Whatsherusername · 09/07/2022 19:19

I paid £25 each for two tickets for my graduation last september (which was delayed nearly two years) then £85 for gown and cap hire which i wore for a whole two hours

RampantIvy · 09/07/2022 19:21

As far as I know we don't have to pay to attend DD's graduation next week.

Which university is charging?

FeelingwearyFeeelingsmall · 09/07/2022 19:23

Graduation ceremonies are a massive con and waste of money. We went to our DC1s ceremony and learned from that mistake. We didn't go to anymore (including mine) but celebrated our achievements at home instead.

Cookerhood · 09/07/2022 19:25

Two undergrads here & 1 post grad (3 different unis) & haven't had to pay. Two were in cathedrals & one in a conference centre.

StressyYetMessy · 09/07/2022 19:37

I’m finishing my masters this year- tickets are £25 each, and no freebies. Any children attending (discouraged under age 7) also have to pay the full £25 too!

Ariela · 09/07/2022 19:39

Our tickets for DD1's I think were £25 for two but not sure on that - it was max 2 allowed, and entitled us to free parking on site, bus ride to the venue (other site which is smaller, nearer town centre and frankly no parking for the time required) for the ceremony itself, then back at the main campus free unlimited tea/coffee in a free cup, free group photo of DD1 and us, free bubbly or beer or fruit juice cocktail (non alcoholic) plus a pastry/brownie/flapjack, a commemorative brochure. We'd have spent more than half the ticket price on parking otherwise, and being a hot day we certainly got value from the free drinks, which the amount we had would certainly cover the remainder of the ticket price . Also the recycled cup is valid for free top ups till the end of this month - it's relatively local to us so I may well use it, the campus wins awards for the parkland so is nice to walk round.

chilledbubble · 09/07/2022 19:47

Seems fair as some people won't go so why would it be included in the cost of the course, it's expensive enough.

itsgettingweird · 09/07/2022 19:48

We've just received an offer to attend ds graduation.

From college! £45 pp.

He's staying there another 2 years to do a foundation degree.

Congratulations to your ds. I think uni graduations are worth it but I think it's not right to charge so much - especially in this cost of living crisis. It's a shame people will miss out because parents can't afford it.

ShyMaryEllen · 09/07/2022 19:55

The fees for UG courses don't cover the cost of the courses, so universities don't do very well out of students. Degrees are obviously expensive for parents who pay, but most students get loans, and would have living costs anyway.

I do think that graduation ceremonies are a rip-off though. The gown hire in particular is extortionate, and photographers must make a killing, too.

Herja · 09/07/2022 19:59

I'm refusing to attend my own graduation due to cost.... I'm told there is a bursary, but tbh, I could afford it if I wanted to, but object on principle to the entire idea of being expected to pay for the chance to hire a ridiculous outfit and prance about.

As I won't even pay out for my own, I most certainly think YANBU to be pissed off about paying to attend someone elses!

DesignerRecliner · 09/07/2022 20:12

A close family member works in a university and they're making redundancies due to the significant drop in income from foreign students. This is a RG uni

Original poster
NotTerriblyImpressed · 09/07/2022 20:30

Thank you for your responses and good wishes for DS.

@BettaSplenden definitely didn’t pay for DS1 - and we got a drink and snacks. Further drinks and food were extra which was understandable.

@RampantIvy it’s Chichester.

@chilledbubble yes, I suppose when you look at it that not everyone will go perhaps it is fair, but I hope the cost won’t prohibit people from going who would want to - but suspect it might.

We won’t be having the official photos as I do think it’s a rip off.

@ShyMaryEllen I had no idea that the £9250 tuition fee didn’t cover the cost of administering the course each year - bit shocked by that! I understand they have employment costs and overheads like any business but still surprised, perhaps I am being a bit naïve.

Congratulations to everyone else who is also graduating this year.

OP posts:
caringcarer · 09/07/2022 20:50

I paid for tickets at my Graduation and gave them to my Mum and DH. When my dd graduated I paid for a ticket and ex paid for his ticket and we sat separately.

TheCanyon · 09/07/2022 21:02

My graduation tickets were £45 each, we're a family of 6 and would have to take the dc, a couple nights in the city would've been braw. My degree was fucked by covid, now need a refreshers and dh is now on esa due to sudden chronic illness so sadly We didn't go.

Fulbe · 09/07/2022 21:25

I think traditionally richer universities used to (maybe still do) have free graduations. I went to a former polytechnic and graduated in 2006; I had to pay whereas my husband at the 'good' university didn't have to. I think it's fairly standard these days although all my university cohort at my most recent graduation last year were moaning about it.

Wbeezer · 09/07/2022 21:33

I didnt have to pay for tickets to DS2s but there are a lot of internationals at his uni, a third of students who pay £££, I think they'd be annoyed at being charged after paying close to £100,000, so we benefited. Rather nice garden party afterwards with afternoon tea + drinks provided, mini cream cakes!

Hankunamatata · 09/07/2022 21:36

Cant believe unis are charging for graduation tickets these days. Back in the day you and to hire the gown and my parents had to save for that. No way could they have afforded graduation tickets.

BanjoVio · 09/07/2022 21:38

Graduated three times and got four tickets each time, plus the first two graduations had a big marquee and celebration with complementary drinks. I’ve never heard of people having to pay before.

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