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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Getting a graduation photo if they don't attend the ceremony?

24 replies

tumbleweedy · 25/07/2025 07:07

DS has just completed his degree, and starts a graduate job in the first week of September. His degree ceremony is very inconveniently scheduled for 11am in the second week of September. He doesn't want to book the day off, so is sadly going to miss the ceremony. However, he would like to get a graduation photo. There are graduations taking place for other faculties in the evening, so we're hopeful he might be able to go along after work and get his photo. We won't know if this is possible until the graduation portal opens (soon), so fingers are crossed for the time being. Has anyone else done this?

OP posts:
BusWankers · 25/07/2025 07:14

Isn't there another later date he could attend?
They often have 2/3 ceremonies.

Original poster
tumbleweedy · 25/07/2025 07:16

BusWankers · 25/07/2025 07:14

Isn't there another later date he could attend?
They often have 2/3 ceremonies.

It hasn't been mentioned. When the portal opens he can check.

OP posts:
Ohmygodthepain · 25/07/2025 07:22

He should be able to defer his graduation - if there is another ceremony later in the year, or to the next year's ceremony.

I would also encourage him to contact his new employer to ask if there is any possibility of time off to attend with his cohort, it really is such an important celebration to spend with his friends that he has been working with for 3 years.

I worked in a school (where term time holiday is a MASSIVE no-no) but graduations were encouraged to request the time off as they recognised the significance of attending.

Alternatively he should be able to book gown hire £££ and photography £££ for later in the day but it would be such a shame to miss out for the sake of a few hours.

Ask his new employer. The sooner the better.

cyvguhb · 25/07/2025 07:23

If he's got a graduate job wouldn't the employers expect that new joiners will ask for time off for their graduation?

I know things may have changed and I'm not sure what the definition of a graduate job is but when I graduated it was pretty normal to be given the day off

Steelworks · 25/07/2025 07:23

I’m sure his new employer would give him the day off for this.

Skissors · 25/07/2025 08:58

I think he should book the day off. The uni are unlikely to allow him to graduate in a different ceremony, from what I've seen they are very fixed.

Original poster
tumbleweedy · 25/07/2025 12:37

He only gets 25 days leave a year, and wants to use them for other things. 🙂

His course had high numbers of international students, so I expect many won't make it to the ceremony.

Most of DS's uni friends were made through Halls or clubs with students on other courses, so they won't be graduating at the same time.

OP posts:
LIZS · 25/07/2025 13:49

Might be tricky if he wants the full gown/cap picture as that is hired separately and each faculty has different colours, so they tend to group graduations together accordingly.

tripleginandtonic · 25/07/2025 13:50

I'd be surprised if work wouldn't allow time off for that.He should ask.

cyvguhb · 25/07/2025 13:55

tumbleweedy · 25/07/2025 12:37

He only gets 25 days leave a year, and wants to use them for other things. 🙂

His course had high numbers of international students, so I expect many won't make it to the ceremony.

Most of DS's uni friends were made through Halls or clubs with students on other courses, so they won't be graduating at the same time.

Edited

That's why posters are saying he should ask to have the day off not from his holiday entitlement as that's quite a normal thing

Latenightreader · 25/07/2025 13:56

He could ask for a day of unpaid leave if he wants to go and doesn't want to use his annual leave (probably wouldn't be able to take it as annual leave so early in his contract anyway). I remember some photographers offering appointments to have graduation photos taken a few days before (they provided the robes and scroll, you just wore them for the pictures and handed them back for the next person). No idea how common this is, but might be worth checking with the photographer(s).

Wintom · 25/07/2025 14:24

My DS started his grad job on 14th July and had his graduation on 22nd July. He requested a half day holiday for this day (4pm ceremony), but work insisted DS had the whole day off and it was not counted as holiday.

I would encourage your DS to attend and request the day off for his graduation. It would take a rubbish employer not to understand the significance of this day.

BoredZelda · 25/07/2025 14:28

Our graduates always get time off for their ceremonies.

ItsNotMeEither · 25/07/2025 15:02

I think a lot of workplaces expect graduates to go to their ceremony. I had a day’s leave that was not deducted from my holidays.

Cakeandusername · 25/07/2025 15:21

I’d encourage him to contact and ask. He’d be getting it off if I managed him. Unless it’s a very structured training programme at start it should be fine.

StripedPillowcase · 25/07/2025 15:31

When the portal is available, and you can see more info, you can check who is providing the gowns and photography. Sometimes it's one company, sometimes two separate. Ede and Ravenscroft (the largest co) sometimes do 'photograph days' for those who couldn't attend the main ceremony.

Rocknrollstar · 25/07/2025 15:32

If he really can’t attend the ceremony or a later one, he could hire a cap and gown from Ede and Ravenscroft and pay a photographer to take the photo.

Pootles34 · 25/07/2025 15:53

Rocknrollstar · 25/07/2025 15:32

If he really can’t attend the ceremony or a later one, he could hire a cap and gown from Ede and Ravenscroft and pay a photographer to take the photo.

This! This is what lots of international students do - you see them larking about campus having a lovely time doing a photoshoot, as they often go home before graduation date.

It looks more fun than a proper graduation tbh.

IKeepMyToasterInTheCupboard · 25/07/2025 15:55

DS doesn't want to go, but generously says I can take a photo of him if I hire a gown - any ideas how to do that?

BusWankers · 25/07/2025 15:58

IKeepMyToasterInTheCupboard · 25/07/2025 15:55

DS doesn't want to go, but generously says I can take a photo of him if I hire a gown - any ideas how to do that?

... don't.

LIZS · 25/07/2025 16:06

IKeepMyToasterInTheCupboard · 25/07/2025 15:55

DS doesn't want to go, but generously says I can take a photo of him if I hire a gown - any ideas how to do that?

He will have information on how to with his graduation ceremony details. Why bother if he is not going though.

Wintom · 25/07/2025 16:19

Just for your info:

Hiring a cap and gown was £60
Official photograph (1 big, 2 small) £35 plus £10 p and p. It will arrive in 6 weeks time.

TheyFuckYouUpYourMamAndDad · 25/07/2025 16:29

OP it’s perfectly normal (and expected!) for new graduates to request and be given the day off to attend their graduation. It’s not taken off holiday entitlement! I suspect his employer would be really upset (and surprised!) to hear that he had missed his graduation because he was too timid to ask for the day!! Your son needs to request this!!

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