Graduation: everything you need to know

Graduates throwing hats into the air

Graduation is a culmination of all your hard work during your time at University – a chance to celebrate your achievements and look back at the years you have spent in Liverpool.

We’re keen to make your day a special one, so read our dedicated checklist below to ensure your day runs smoothly, and don’t forget to use #LivUniGrad to keep up-to-date with the latest information and share your photos!

Before the day

  • Check your graduation itinerary email – you will receive this in the run up to your ceremony. There are a lot of ceremonies running during this graduation period, so it is really important that you check on your email where your ceremony will be held, as well as where to collect and return your gown.
  • Read our guide to academic dress so you know what you will be wearing on the day. See versions for the Class of 2022 and Classes of 2020/21.
  • Print your gown order confirmation to bring with you on the day of your ceremony. This will mean that your order can be processed quickly.
  • We want to ensure our campus continues to be a safe place for our community and visitors. In line with this, we’re asking all visitors to please stay at home if you’re unwell. This especially applies if you have a high temperature (either on its own or with any other symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as COVID-19) or you do not feel well enough to carry out normal activities. Please read our latest COVID-19 guidance.

Plan your journey

  • If you are planning to drive, check out parking options. Parking on campus will be extremely limited on the day of your ceremony.
  • The public multi-storey car park on Mount Pleasant is the largest nearby parking facility. See Liverpool City Council Parking for a list of city centre car parks and how much they charge.
  • On campus, the following visitor car parks will be available for a charge and on a strictly first come, first served basis:

– Mount Pleasant Car Park – accessed opposite the Metropolitan Cathedral

– Brownlow Street Car Park – accessed from Pembroke Place

  • If you are planning to travel by train, make sure you check your travel plans in detail and leave plenty of time.

On the day

  • If you are in the Class of 2020 or 21 you should arrive at the Sports Centre to collect your gown and tickets* at least two hours before the start of your ceremony. If you are in the Class of 2022 you should arrive at the Mountford Hall in the Guild to collect your gown and tickets, again at least two hours before the start of your ceremony. For the exact collection times, please refer to your graduation itinerary email.
  • The University may have official photographer(s) and/or camera person(s) at our graduation events. If you do not wish for your image to be taken, please notify the event staff immediately.
  • Official graduation day photos and University merchandise will all be available on the day of your graduation. The official University class rings, cufflinks and charms are also available online.
  • Use our official hashtag #LivUniGrad to share graduation photos and videos on social media. Anyone who posts a photo using this hashtag to Twitter or Instagram can also collect a free print of it, providing your profile is set to public, from our Alumni team in the Guild.
  • Also, look out for the Alumni team to pick up your free alumni pin badge!
  • Throughout the week ceremonies will be taking place at the Philharmonic Hall and in the Yoko Ono Lennon Centre. Make sure you know where your ceremony is taking place. Details of where your ceremony will take place are available on the ceremony schedule and in your graduation itinerary email.
  • Make sure you get to your ceremony venue and are in your own seat (which will be clearly marked on your ticket) 45 minutes before the ceremony is due to begin. It’s important to check you are in the correct seat as, if not, you could be recorded as ‘absent’ and may not be admitted to your degree correctly.
  • When it is your turn to go on stage you will be directed by staff to the side of the stage in a continuous procession. Give your name to the officer at the foot of the steps and then follow their instructions to proceed onto the stage to collect your degree.
  • After being admitted, you should continue to walk across the stage, collect your certificate, and then return to your seat as directed by the ushers.
  • You have graduated! Congratulations!

*Please note if you are in the Class of 2020 graduating from a Management School programme on 22 July you will need to collect and return your gown at the Guild. Please check your itinerary email for details.


After your graduation

  • You will need to return your gown on the day of your ceremony to either the Sports Centre or Guild (wherever you collected it from). Please see our website for closing times.
  • You can watch all ceremonies live via the University website. You can also order a professional recording of your ceremony from Achievement TV.
  • Find out more about the official documentation you’ll receive on the day, including your certificate, transcript and HEAR on our webpages.
  • Start making the most of our 258,000 strong alumni network by following the Alumni team on FacebookInstagramTwitter and LinkedIn group.
  • Don’t forget to
  • Careers support via the Career Studio and our Your Future programme
  • Free online journals and library access
  • Discounts on hotels and holiday accommodation
  • Access to Liverpool Connect– our online networking platform that lets you connect with thousands of alumni worldwide
  • Invitations to social, careers and networking events
  • Access to Handshake for graduate jobs and careers resources

To find out more about the Graduation Package, please visit our Class of 2022 website.