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Quick Tips

Quick Tips for Conferring

 

Invitations

  • Each graduand will receive 1 graduand and 2 guest invitations. 
  • Please note that there are no extra invitations available.

Fees

  • Please note that if you have an outstanding balance on your student account, you cannot graduate. 
  • Depending on when the account is cleared, you may have to wait until the next scheduled conferring ceremonies before receiving your parchment.

Conferring Ceremony

  • Each ceremony usually takes approximately 1.5 / 2 hours.
  • Refreshments are served after each conferring ceremony. You may wish to keep this in mind for later arrangements.
  • Water cooler dispensers are available in the foyer of Áras na Mac Léinn (outside Bailey Allen Hall).  No hot drinks or food are permitted in the Conferring Hall.
  • Please note that there are no cloakroom facilities.  Any bags or coats should be left with your guests. 
  • In the highly improbable event of a graduation ceremony being postponed or cancelled, the University will make every effort to communicate this promptly.

Seating at the Conferring Ceremony 

  • During the ceremony, graduands will be seated with their class in alphabetical order. 
  • Please note that latecomers will not be seated with their class. It is important that you do not move from your allocated seat position even if there appears to be an empty seat next to you.
  • Please note that there are specific seat numbers for graduands and they are seated separately from their 2 guests.  There are no assigned seats for guests.

Order of Proceedings 

  • The Dean of the College will call out the names of the graduands.  
  • Please follow the instructions of the conferring staff when you are in the hall. 
  • When you, the graduand, hear your full name called, please walk up the steps to the President, stand for the photograph, receive your parchment, go down the steps on the right/use available ramp and return to your seat.   
  • Please ensure that your full name is called i.e. your first name and surname, as there may be students with similar names. It is important you receive the correct parchment.     
  • Once you, the graduand, receives your parchment, you will have then become a “graduate”.
  • When the conferring ceremony concludes, the President and the Academic Procession will leave the hall first, followed by you the graduates, and then your guests.   
  • Starting from the front row, please follow in 2 lines down the central aisle towards the exit of the hall.  
  • Refreshments are served after each conferring ceremony.
  • You must remember to return your cap and gown after your ceremony to The Seminar Rooms GO10/GO11, The Hardiman Research Building (adjacent to James Hardiman Library). 

Degree Parchment

  • Please take care of your parchment.  There is a replacement cost.  
  • Your degree is written in Latin.  Please contact the NUI after the ceremony if you require an English translation.
  • The University does not provide electronic copies of your degree; you will be given the physical copy of your degree on the day of your ceremony or we will post you the physical copy of your parchment within 2 weeks of each respective ceremony. 
  • You may wish to contact Student Registry Helpdesk to obtain a Course Completion Statement by emailing askregistry@universityofgalway.ie

 Photography

  • Photography studios onsite will close 30 minutes before each ceremony.
  • Please note that freelance photographers are not permitted into the Conferring Hall. 

Live Streaming and Recording of Conferring Ceremony

Please note that the conferring ceremonies are live streamed and recorded and posted on the University of Galway website and the University of Galway social media platforms.

The names of the graduands who have decided to confer in absentia will also be called out the conferring ceremony.

Park & Ride Carpark

  • Please note that the Park & Ride Carpark is located 10-15 minutes from the Orbsen Building. 
  • Please ensure you allow sufficient time to get to the Park & Ride carpark; use our free shuttle bus; to collect robes & invitations,  and make your way back to the Conferring Hall 30 minutes before the ceremony.

PhD Deferrals

If a PhD/MD graduand defers their conferring to the next conferring session, please note that they will not receive their parchment until their conferring day.

Diploma Supplement

  • Diploma Supplements will not be available for approximately 3 to 4 weeks following each conferring ceremony.
  • If you require a statement of course completion, please contact Student Registry Desk askregistry@universityofgalway.ie

Code of Conduct

We recognise that Conferring is a momentous occasion for all Graduates and their families. We kindly ask that you and your guests are mindful of other Graduates on the day and refrain from any behaviour that may cause disruptions or offense, such as gestures onstage or excessive noise.

GDPR

  • We cannot discuss students' conferrings with anyone other than the students themselves, in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
  • Conferring details also cannot be disclosed over the telephone.