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You must meet the following requirements before the date of your graduation ceremony, otherwise the College may not be able to put you forward to graduate:

1. Pay all bills. You need to pay your College and University bills before you will be put forward for a graduation. Your College account statement will be emailed out to you by our Bursary team, be sure to pay this promptly and in full. If you have questions, please contact Student Accounts.
2. Return all books. We also require you to return or replace any books you have on loan from Cambridge libraries before you can be approved to graduate. You can return books in person or by post, and if you are in the UK, you can request a pre-paid returns label to return your books by freepost. (Please note the International Returns refund system operated by the University Library does not apply to College books. We therefore kindly ask you to cover the cost of postage or you can purchase replacement copies via Amazon.uk and have them shipped to the Library. Used copies in good condition are acceptable).
3. Receive degree approval (postgraduates). If your course is provided by ICE (primarily MST students) then you must complete your degree and wait for your Degree Approval letter before you can access the graduation registration area on CamSIS.  If you are on another postgraduate course (non-ICE), you can register in advance of the end of your studies, as long as you have checked with your Department that your results will be approved and published more than 10 days before the date of your chosen ceremony. This is particularly crucial for the July ceremony, as the results for some MPhil degrees will not be published in time for students to graduate at this ceremony.  This is because even for degrees with a 9-month duration, the Degree Committee for that subject may not have met to approve the results in time for the ceremony.  

Whether you apply to graduate in person or in absentia, you must apply using the Graduation Booking Form below.

Please note that availability at your chosen ceremony is not guaranteed. Please do not make travel arrangements for yourself or your guests until you receive confirmation from the ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ College Education and Tutorial Office that your registration for a ceremony has been successful.

When registering for a ceremony, please make sure that you also update your contact details in CamSIS including your postal address, preferred email address and phone number. This is especially important as these details will be used for any correspondence before and after the ceremony.

There are several opportunities each year for eligible candidates to graduate. Candidates who are suitably qualified by examination, residence and having discharged their College accounts may be admitted to their degrees at any Congregation of the Regent House (excluding General Admission). These are generally held on Fridays or Saturdays at roughly monthly intervals during term throughout the year. 

The dates for 2025-26 are:

Michaelmas Term (2025): Friday 24 October, Saturday 29 November

Lent Term (2026): Friday 30 January (in absence only), Saturday 28 February, Saturday 28 March (MA graduation)

Easter Term (2026): Saturday 2 May, Friday 22 May, Thursday 2 July (General Admission), Thursday 23 July

In addition to these ceremonies, which are open to all qualified graduands, the General Admission ceremony (which is only for MEng, MMath, MSci, VetMB, BA and BTh degrees) is scheduled to take place on Thursday 2 July 2026. 

The exact timetable for the day is only published shortly before each ceremony and will be sent by email to all graduands who are receiving their degrees in person.

Graduation Attire

You will hire academical dress to receive your Degree, which can be hired from any supplier in Cambridge. 

Ede & Ravenscroft
70-72 Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1RJ

01223 350048 (shop) or 01223 861854

Ryder & Amies
22 King’s Parade, Cambridge CB2 1SP

sales@ryderamies.co.uk

Academical Dress

If you choose to graduate in person at the Senate House, you are required to wear the following Cambridge academical dress at the ceremony:

• Undergraduates and affiliated students: undergraduate gown of your college and the hood of the highest degree that you are about to receive.
• Postgraduate candidates: either the gown and hood of your highest existing Cambridge degree or, if not already a Cambridge graduate, a BA or MA status gown and the hood of the highest degree you are about to take.
• Candidates for degrees by Incorporation or the MA under Statute B.III.6: the gown and hood of the degree that they are about to receive.

What to Wear

As graduation is a formal occasion, an appropriate standard of dress is expected. The dress code is strictly enforced at ceremonies, and if you do not observe it, you may not be permitted to graduate on a particular occasion. Your Praelector or Presenter can offer further advice on dress.   The dress code is detailed on the .  

How will I receive my degree certificate and transcript?

If you attend a graduation ceremony in person, you will receive your certificate as you leave the Senate House, and the transcript will then follow by post. If you graduate in absentia, both your certificate and transcript will be posted to you.  The College will send documents to your 'Home address' as listed on CamSIS. Please make sure both your home address and your preferred email address are updated before you graduate.

Documents are available digitally around 10 days after graduation and you can also arrange for your documents to be shared with third party organisations via the Parchment Digitary Service.  Please see the  for details.

How many guest tickets for graduation can I have?

The number of guests in the Senate House is limited by the University in response to concern from their insurers about health and safety considerations. The College has no discretion in the matter. Graduands for the General Admission in June and all other Congregations are issued with two tickets in the first instance and may apply for more by contacting the Education and Tutorial Office. 

What should guests wear at graduation?

Strictly speaking, guests who are members of the University should wear their academic gowns. It is unlikely, however, that anyone would notice if they didn't. Other than that, guests should be smart, but there is no need to be formal. A T-shirt and shorts would be a bit too casual, but suits and ties are not necessary.

Are children allowed as guests at graduation?

Tickets are required for guests at all Congregations, including children. Please note that the ceremony lasts for up to one hour and guests are not permitted to move about within the Senate House during this period. Children of all ages are welcome at lunch in College.

Is it possible to take photographs during the graduation ceremony?

No. Guests are strictly forbidden from taking photographs or using video cameras during Congregations. 

What's the best way of getting to Caius?

Full directions to Caius are available here Visiting Caius | ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ (cam.ac.uk)

Where can my family park when attending a graduation ceremony?

Cambridge is not a good place for cars! Details of public transport and Cambridge's park and ride system are available on the maps and directions page of this website. The College allows guests to park at the Sports Ground for General Admission in June, but only if they are staying in College accommodation.

Any other questions please contact the Education and Tutorial Office at graduation@cai.cam.ac.uk