Daughter unable to attend her graduation ceremony as it is full. Advice please

[mildlyfried]

My daughter has just finished a three year Bsc (hons) at a major University. She has been advised that she cannot attend her graduation ceremony as it is full and she is on a waiting list. All the other ceremonies are at capacity too. She has been told that if a place does not become available then she can either try to graduate in November without her friends or have her certificate posted to her for a £10 fee.

To say we are upset and disappointed is an understatement. Has anyone ever heard of this before? I did not think a University would do this and would make sure they had enough graduation days/dates for all their students. The students have paid tens of thousands in fees and slogged for three years to be denied the chance to get their degree in a ceremony with their family watching.

Is there anyone out there with any advice? maybe someone who works at a University? I'm tempted to go to the local paper and tell the story so other students know what to expect at this University. Students should be told when they are choosing the University that they are not guaranteed a graduation.

Thanks for reading

Where does it say that on the page? I only see it saying that students who apply by the registration deadline (which she did) will be GUARANTEED two guest tickets.

i have uploaded a photo but it’s waiting for approval

Not crafty at all. Data protection (or whatever it’s called now) won’t allow it. Any staff member who speaks to anyone other than the student can lose their job over it.

It's crazy isn't it. They're dependants when we have to top their loans up yet adults and we have to mind our own business in situations like this.

Cause a stink op. Unis make secondary schools look organised and well run.

She of course should have a ticket. Waiting lists should be for extended family

She wouldn't be asking about confidenfial info, rather the dd has paid thousands in fees so give her a ticket!

Graduation ceremonies are tedious affairs punctuated by the graduates 15 seconds in the limelight as they stride across a stage to collect their degree

The first one I attended was my daughter's and it was as above and made me thankful I did not attend any of the 3 graduation ceremonies I could have attended on completion of my various University studies. Get the degree sent via post and treat your daughter and yourself and the rest of the close family (if appropriate) to a meal and be glad you have dodged a bullet. Only my experience and view. Others may differ.

As for the going to the local newspaper really? Newly minted graduates have a lot more to worry about in 2026 and may also require a reference from the University on the coming months/years.......

It’s not for tickets for parents though-it’s for her to graduate and receive her certificate in the ceremony with her friends after 3 years of work.

if the uni know their numbers are higher than spaces then clearly they need to put on more ceremonies IMO. That’s not fair to not be able to graduate at all with your friends. Who wants to do it on your own several months later?

Yes I’ve heard of it when my DC graduated you had to get in early to get a seat as some people take many .

when I graduated it was full so I never had a graduation. Just had my certificate posted to me. I’d just do that.

Well based on my screenshot the messages are very contradictory as it states places are guaranteed if applying by deadline

They clearly still had space back in March and asked students to contact them (probably so they could make extra arrangements if required).

Why has OPs daughter left it so late?

They need to put on more ceremonies. It's a small ask to expect to have a graduation ceremony with your cohort if you apply before the deadline. I think this is very shocking. I work at a university and that would just not happen here. We would prioritise students.

What reason do you have not to believe the OP?

Is your contact in a position to know the details of these issues? I imagine that the university must have several thousand staff, the vast majority of whom would not be in such a position.

If they do claim to know, would you please ask them to explain these two items in the university's Graduation FAQs?

Why have I been put on a waiting list for my ceremony?
Capacity in the Great Hall is limited to abide by health, safety and fire regulations. We strongly advise all graduands to register as early as possible after receiving their invitation to attend a graduation ceremony. Graduand seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis until the capacity in the Great Hall has been reached.

What happens if I am put on a waiting list to attend a ceremony?
We're looking forward to celebrating your achievements with you, but please be aware that capacity within the Great Hall is limited. If you're put on a waiting list, you are still eligible to attend a graduation ceremony, and we will be in touch with you after registration closes with an alternative option should there be no spaces available in your allocated session. In the meantime we encourage all students to hire their graduation robes as you will be able to amend your booking to reflect your graduation session.

According to their graduation pages, there will be 15 ceremonies during the week commencing Monday, 13th July. It is not at all clear to me that there was space in every individual ceremony. OP's daughter might have been unlucky and allocated to an oversubscribed ceremony.

The description of UoL as having a “bespoke” system is hilarious.

I very much agree with those who believe that it's very poor form for a school not to be able to accommodate all students who are finishing their degrees and wish to graduate in the main ceremony for the course they just completed. The school should increase the capacity for these ceremonies, either by scheduling more of them or by scheduling a larger venue. However, to give them credit, they're not trying to hide the issue.

I'd rent a gown, get a picture with my friends and go out for lunch and the night out. The ceremony is the worst part of the day and then you've to mind the degree all day.

They really aren't. Their website clearly states that there aren't enough spaces for all the graduands

My daughter’s was just a fake scroll for photos and the real thing was sent through the post.

It's quite clear that their isn't enough spaces in the ceremonies. Because they clearly say "spaces are limited and allocated on a first come first served basis". This poster is talking out of their arse

It’s a college campus. They graduate with their college, who tend to be their friends. Unusual to have just course friends at Lancaster

I think it's terrible that they say it's oversubscribed, especially given the fees she will have paid over the years. I've never heard of a university doing this, as long as the student applied before the deadline.

@BurntBroccoli that makes so much more sense, our official photographer used a fake one but we got an actual one on the day.

I'm very touched by the many kind messages and your support. We feel much better. There is nothing hidden on our side. My daughter's friends are on her course and they live together so naturally they want to graduate together. My daughter did register late but was before the deadline. She didn't imagine it would be a sell out and she wouldn't get a space. Yes, lessons learned. The University clearly should put on more ceremonies for the students on the waiting list. I'm sure we will make it a special day for her.

have any of her friends got extra tickets they might give to her?

Oh I think this is awful. I still remember my graduation with such joy. It’s a fantastic way of celebrating all the hard work. I can’t believe they don’t have room for everyone who wants to come.

Glad your dd is feeling better about the situation. So do all the housemates belong to the same college?