Degree Ceremony/Graduation Information
We congratulate all Mertonians eligible to graduate, whether you have completed your undergraduate degree, postgraduate Masters or doctorate, or are returning to have the Oxford MA conferred.
The degree ceremony is followed by a reception at Merton College; both events need to be booked. Please contact the degree referrals team to discuss booking your degree day.
Full information on all aspects of the degree ceremony and subsequent reception can be found below and on the Degree Conferrals website.
Contact us
- For booking and administrative enquiries: degree.ceremonies@merton.ox.ac.uk
- For procedural and ceremony enquiries, the Dean: john.eidinow@merton.ox.ac.uk
University of Oxford degrees are conferred at a ceremony held at the Sheldonian Theatre.
Degrees are not automatically conferred at the end of your course and you will need to book onto a ceremony in order to receive your degree certificate; degrees can be conferred in person or in absentia.
Degree ceremony bookings close 60 days prior to each ceremony date. Once booked onto a ceremony, graduands will be unable to change to another ceremony date during the 60-day period before the degree day. If you decide to withdraw from the ceremony during this time, your degree will be conferred at the ceremony in absentia and you will not be able to attend a future date (unless withdrawing due to exceptional circumstances).
Some ceremonies are booked up many months in advance so please submit a booking request form as soon as possible.
You will automatically receive an email in mid-December in your final year of study with instructions regarding when and how to book your degree ceremony, through Student Self-Service. If you do not receive an email, contact the University Degree Conferrals team..
It is important that current students provide a non-university email address to enable us to contact you once your SSO account is closed.
Please note that due to a backlog of historic graduands and limited ceremony spaces, students are strongly encouraged to book onto a graduation ceremony as soon as possible after completing their course. If you do not choose a date offered to you, it is unlikely that you will be able to graduate for at least a calendar year (and possibly several years) because the degree ceremonies run on a cyclical basis and are allocated to capacity.
You will automatically receive an email with instructions on how to book your degree ceremony once you have been granted leave to supplicate. If you do not receive an invitation at this time, contact the University Degree Conferrals team.
It is important that current students provide a non-university email address to enable us to contact you once your SSO account is closed.
Please note that due to a backlog of historic graduands and limited ceremony spaces, students are strongly encouraged to book onto a graduation ceremony as soon as possible after completing their course. If you do not choose a date offered to you, it is unlikely that you will be able to graduate for at least a calendar year (and possibly several years) because the degree ceremonies run on a cyclical basis and are allocated to capacity.
You will need to graduate as an 'historic' student, and unfortunately there are only very limited spaces available for in person historic graduands at each ceremony. University policy dictates that in each academic year current students get priority for degree ceremony bookings, and historic graduands can then book any remaining available spaces within that round. If there are no spaces remaining, historic students will be added to the waiting list for their preferred ceremony date and will be emailed directly if a ceremony space becomes available (due to a cancellation) and has been allocated to them.
Historic students wishing to have their degree conferred in absentia will be allocated to the next available Oxford degree ceremony (regardless of space). Degree certificates will be sent to in absentia historic graduands by registered post shortly after the ceremony date.
Please contact the Merton Degree Ceremonies team to discuss booking your degree day. Booking for the next cycle of degree ceremonies opens for historic students in February each year.
- Booking requests must be submitted at least 60 days before the ceremony date; we cannot accept any bookings after this date. We will do our best to accommodate you on the day you request but this may not be possible.
- Please ensure all Library books are returned and there are no outstanding debts to the College in your name. Any outstanding books or debts could result in your not being permitted to graduate.
- You will receive an email with full instructions and detailed information about your graduation one month prior to your confirmed ceremony date.
Forthcoming degree ceremonies for the 2024/25 cycle are:
- Saturday 13 July 2024 – 1:30pm
- Saturday 27 July 2024 – 1:30pm
- Saturday 3 August 2024 – 1:30pm
- Saturday 28 September 2024 – 4:15pm
- Saturday 17 May 2025 – 10:30am
- Saturday 31 May 2025 – 10:30am
Each degree ceremony is followed by a reception held at Merton College for graduands attending the ceremony. Please see Format for the day for an approximate idea of timings.
- The reception is without charge for graduands, who are invited as guests of Merton College.
- Each graduand may bring up to two guests to the reception at a charge.
- You must book and pay for any guest tickets no later than two weeks prior to the ceremony/reception.
Payment must be made online to secure your tickets by following the instructions which will be emailed to you a month before your ceremony. You will not be able to reserve spaces after this time and guest spaces will be cancelled if payment is not received by this time. - Once you have paid for any guests and booked your place(s) at the reception, your names will be added to the guest list.
- It is traditional for those who have just received their degrees to wear their new robes during the reception.
- A photographer from Gillman & Soame will be present at Merton College should you wish to have photographs taken in this setting. Please see their website for full details. You can pre-register online or you can otherwise complete a form on the day. Any photos taken can then be purchased from their website after the degree ceremony.
- Graduands and their guests should make their way to Merton College as soon as possible after the degree ceremony.
| Time (for 10:30am ceremonies) | Time (for 1:30pm ceremonies) | Time (for 4:15pm ceremonies) | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30-8:45am | 11:30am-11:45am | 2:15-2:30pm | Refreshments available for graduands and their guests. Graduands collect gowns and tickets. |
| 9:00am | 12:00 noon | 2:45pm | Graduands attend Dean’s Briefing and registration. Guests make their way to the Sheldonian Theatre. |
| 10:00am | 1:00pm | 3:45pm | Graduands proceed to Sheldonian Theatre led by Dean. |
| 10:30am | 1:30pm | 4:15pm | Degree ceremony begins. |
| 11:45pm | 2:45pm | 5:30pm | Reception at Merton College. |
| 1:45pm | 4:45pm | 7:30pm | Day finishes. |
- Collecting Gowns and Tickets
- Guest tickets for the ceremony must be collected from college. If graduands order their gown(s) to be delivered to Merton, they will receive these when they collect their tickets. If graduands have not arranged for their gowns to be delivered directly to Merton, they should bring them with them and deposit these with the ceremony helpers at the bar when collecting their tickets.
- Ceremony Briefing
- Graduands must assemble to meet the Dean for a briefing and to register their presence. Please note that graduands are not permitted to participate in the ceremony without having registered their presence with the Dean at the briefing.
- The briefing takes place at 9:00am for morning ceremonies, 12:00 noon for 1:30pm ceremonies and at 2:45pm for 4:15pm ceremonies.
- Guests should make their way to the Sheldonian Theatre at this point.
- Proceeding to the Sheldonian Theatre
- Guests should ensure they arrive at the Sheldonian not less than 20 minutes before the start of the ceremony, and must be prepared to present their tickets upon arrival.
- The Dean will lead graduands to the Sheldonian.
- Degree Ceremony
- Graduands will be presented by the Dean to the Vice-Chancellor; graduands will then go outside the Sheldonian where the member of staff assisting with gowning will help them change into their new gown/hood.
- Graduands then re-enter the Sheldonian in the full gowns and hoods of the degree they have just taken and had conferred.
- An example of the full University Degree Ceremony brochure can be found here.
- Reception at Merton College
- After the ceremony, all graduands and their guests (where applicable) are invited to an optional canapé reception at Merton College. Graduands must book to attend the reception.
Points to note
Multiple Degrees
Although it is still possible to take more than one degree at a ceremony, you will only be presented to the Vice-Chancellor for the highest of them and will not be presented for the others. This means that a candidate will still receive all the degrees (and certificates) to which they are entitled at one ceremony, but will only be announced once. Please note that in this scenario, where you are taking one degree in person and other degrees in absence at the same ceremony, your current status for gowning purposes is deemed to be that of your highest in absentia degree. The Dean, Fra' John Eidinow, is always prepared to deal with queries about academic dress and procedure, and graduands should not hesitate to contact him in case of any doubt.
Ceremony Programme
Each graduand’s name, college and degree title will be published in the ceremony programme/brochure (the ceremony counts as a public event). If you do not wish your name to be printed in the programme and did not indicate this when you booked your ceremony then please contact the Merton Degree Ceremonies team
Cost of Degrees
There is no charge for the conferral of any degree other than the Oxford MA.
There is a University fee of £40 for the MA. You will not be allowed to graduate for the MA unless you have paid this fee. Payment must be made online by following the instructions which will be emailed to you before your ceremony.
The dress code/gowning rules vary slightly depending on your award programme.
For all graduands except doctorates:
- Graduands should arrive at the ceremony wearing the gown of the degree they are receiving, with sub fusc (see below), but not the hood. The hood will be added during the ceremony.
For graduands who are having a doctorate conferred (DPhil and higher degrees):
- Graduands should present themselves in the gown/hood of the highest Oxford degree they currently hold, with sub fusc (see below).
- Graduands will change gowns/hoods during the ceremony to that of the degree they have just taken and had conferred.
- For DPhil students who hold a degree from a different university but do not have any Oxford degree: they must begin the ceremony in an Oxford Advanced Student gown and will then change into their new gown/hood partway through the ceremony, as above.
For all graduands:
- Sub fusc clothing is:
- a dark suit with dark socks; or
- a dark skirt with black tights; or
- dark trousers with dark socks or dark hosiery; and
- an optional dark jacket, worn underneath the gown;
- black shoes;
- plain white collared shirt or blouse;
- a white bow tie, black bow tie, black full-length tie, or black ribbon.
- A mortar board or soft cap is also required.
- Members of the armed forces may wear service dress under their gown, in place of sub fusc. This is only applicable to members of The British Armed Forces in the UK. Uniform caps should be removed when indoors.
- Ministers of religion may wear clerical dress, with a gown over.
- Gowns and hoods can be hired from:
Shepherd and Woodward Ltd
109 - 113 High Street
Oxford
OX1 4BT
Telephone: 01865 249491
Email: enquiries@shepwood.co.uk - Early booking is strongly advised and all bookings should be made at least two weeks in advance of the ceremony.
- Gowns/hoods will be delivered to Merton if you select and pay for this option when arranging hire. Otherwise you will need to collect them directly from Shepherd and Woodward yourself. The same policy applies to the return of hired gowns/hoods after your degree ceremony (there is an option to book this service).
- You may, of course, wear your own gown (to the appropriate level) if you have one, or hire your gown from another provider if you wish to do so.
- A member of staff will assist you with your gown in College, and will help you put on your new gown/hood outside the Sheldonian during the ceremony.
If you are attending a degree ceremony to receive your MA, DD, DCL, DM or MCh, you should be aware that the standard wording for admission to these degrees by the Vice-Chancellor uses a specifically Christian formula. An alternative, non-Christian formula is available on request. If you wish to be admitted with the non-Christian formula, please select this option on the booking form.
Note from the Sheldonian Theatre regarding mobility difficulties:
- We are able to find space on the ground floor for guests who will be seated in their wheelchairs during degree ceremonies, and if space permits will always seat other guests in the same party nearby. There is usually also a small number of seats available on that floor for guests who have difficulty with the stairs.
- We are however unable to allow advance reservations for any of these seats. Varying numbers of students graduating and types of degrees taken on any particular day make this an unworkable option.
- Guests in wheelchairs will be directed by the Security staff on the gate to the South doors facing the Divinity School, where there is a ramp. Such guests will find access to the Theatre precincts most convenient by the ramped gate next to the History of Science Museum.
- Parties where one or more of the guests have difficulties with stairs should join the queue at either Door B or D and explain to the steward on the door that they would like ground floor seating if available.
Degree certificates will be distributed by the Dean in college after the ceremony (with the exception of all ceremonies in late-July/August, when certificates will be posted after the event). If for any reason you do not intend to come to the degree reception you must nevertheless return to college after the ceremony to collect your certificate. Certificates will only be distributed to the new graduates themselves and will not under any circumstances be released to relatives or friends.
- Graduands whose degrees have been conferred in absentia will have their certificates posted to them shortly after their ceremony date.
- The name which you held when you completed your degree (were granted 'leave to supplicate') will be the name on your degree certificate and degree confirmation letter. The only retrospective changes that can be made are where an administrative error has occurred or where the University is required to make a retrospective change under the provisions of the Gender Recognition Act 2004.
- If you have changed your name following completion of your course of study, (for example, through marriage, or by Deed Poll), and wish to demonstrate to a prospective employer or education institution that your degree certificate or confirmation letter belongs to you, supporting documentation showing the name change should accompany the certificate.
- If for any reason you do not receive your certificate or a current certificate is lost or damaged, then replacement degree certificates can be obtained from the University.
For students who commenced their studies in and after Michaelmas term 2007, transcripts can be requested via the University website.
For students who commenced their studies prior to 2007, transcript requests should be directed to the Academic Office. Please email or call 01865 276379.
The status of Master of Arts is a mark of seniority within the University which may be conferred twenty-one terms after matriculation.
You are eligible provided you kept the requisite number of terms in residence and have had your name on the books for the full period. Those with Senior Status qualify in their 18th term. Holders of undergraduate master's degrees obtain the same privileges (but not the same academic dress) as MAs in the term when they would have qualified for the MA had they read for the BA.
- You must have had your BA or BFA conferred in order to take your MA (you are not eligible to take an MA if your undergraduate degree is an Oxford integrated Master’s degree).
- The Oxford MA allows you to reach a new status within the University but is not an upgrade of your BA or an additional qualification. It therefore has no subject or class. The University does not issue degree confirmation letters or ECTS statements as proof of your MA. Please use your degree certificate as evidence of this award.
- Obtaining an Oxford MA is not an automatic process and you must apply to graduate at a degree ceremony (either in person or in absentia). Oxford MAs can be conferred at the same ceremony as your BA provided that sufficient time has elapsed since you matriculated.
- The University charges a £40 fee for all MA conferrals/certificates. You will not be permitted to graduate for the MA until payment is received. Payment must be made online no later than 30 days prior to your ceremony date, by following the instructions which will be emailed to you shortly after your ceremony booking is confirmed.
If you have not yet taken your degree at a degree ceremony, but need confirmation that you are entitled to your degree, the University can supply you with a letter confirming your status.
All graduates of Merton are life members of the Merton Society. Notification of the annual Merton Society Weekend is given each year, usually with Postmaster and the Merton Record. It usually takes place after 9th week in Trinity Term and is attended by some 80 to 100 members.
Matriculated members of the University who have taken their degrees (i.e. been through the ceremony in person or in absence) are members of Convocation and as such have the right to vote for the Chancellor (an office for life) and the Professor of Poetry (every four years in Trinity Term: next election 2019). Please contact the University Card office to register to vote: university.card@ox.ac.uk.
Merton MAs and Mertonian holders of any higher Oxford degree may dine up to six times a year at their own expense at the Common Table of the Warden and Fellows (High Table). The Governing Body welcomes the exercise of this right by its old members and on Common Room nights invites them to Dessert after dinner as its guests (usually Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday during Full Term). Please notify the Lodge Porter before 10:00am on the day you are dining (before 9:30am on Friday if you are dining on Saturday or Sunday):
Email: mclodge@merton.ox.ac.uk
Telephone : 01865 276310
The dress code on Sunday evenings during Full Term is Black Tie. You should also state whether you require a vegetarian or special-diet meal, and, if dining on a Common Room night, whether you will be staying for Dessert. Except on Sundays in Full Term, dinner begins at 7:15pm sharp and those dining gather in the Queen's Room (or the Upper Bursary outside term) from 7:00pm. On Sundays in Full Term, dinner is at 7:30pm. Gowns are worn in Hall during Full Term and MA gowns can usually be borrowed from the Porters' Lodge.
Full academic dress must be worn at degree ceremonies, including a mortar board or soft cap, and your preferred sub fusc. See detailed dress code information above.
You may be refused admission to the degree ceremony if you are not properly dressed.
Gowns and hoods can be hired from Shepherd and Woodward Ltd, 109 - 113 High Street, Oxford, OX1 4BT, telephone 01865 249491, email enquiries@shepwood.co.uk. Early booking is strongly advised and all bookings should be made at least two weeks in advance of the ceremony.
The name which you held when you completed your degree (were granted 'leave to supplicate') will be the name on your degree certificate and degree confirmation letter.
The only retrospective changes that can be made are where an administrative error has occurred or where the University is required to make a retrospective change under the provisions of the Gender Recognition Act 2004.
We regret that we are unable to offer accommodation to graduands and/or their guests.
We are unable to provide parking at Merton College. If you do travel by car, please note that parking in the city centre is very limited. We recommend that you use one of the Park and Ride car parks on the outskirts of the city centre. Journey times from these car parks to the centre of Oxford vary, but are normally between twelve and eighteen minutes depending on the time of day.
Details of arrangements for the Sheldonian Theatre can be found under Further information.
Please contact Merton College for details of arrangements that can be made there.
We have been asked by the University Marshal to advise candidates attending degree ceremonies that the official degree day photographers are located within the Sheldonian quadrangle and that photographers who operate outside the railings of the quadrangle do so without the permission of the University authorities.
The degree ceremony will be recorded and graduands/families/guests are able to purchase a DVD of the ceremony; details are published in the programme issued at the ceremony.
A photographer from Gillman & Soame will be present at Merton College should you wish to have photographs taken in this setting during the reception held after the ceremony. You can pre-register online or complete a form on the day.
We ask that guests refrain from taking photographs or recording videos during the ceremony. This will avoid disrupting the experience for other students and guests.
Official photographers will be based inside the Sheldonian quadrangle following the ceremony, should graduands/guests wish to order official degree day photos, and you will also be able to purchase a copy of your ceremony on DVD or digital download after the ceremony.
Only guide dogs are permitted inside the Sheldonian Theatre and at Merton College.
Please contact the Degree Conferrals team for details of arrangements to be made at the Sheldonian Theatre.
Please contact Merton College for details of arrangements that can be made there.
On-course students will be able to amend their details, excluding the ceremony date, up until 30 days before their chosen ceremony. After that date you should contact Merton College directly.
Historic students should contact Merton College directly.
You may choose either to graduate in absence or to decline and complete a booking form selecting the next suitable date. If you select decline, it is unlikely that you will be able to graduate for at least a calendar year, because the degree ceremonies run on a cyclical basis and are allocated to capacity.
Taught students in their final year of studies will receive an invitation to book a ceremony. Students on taught courses, who are not in their final year, will not be able to book a place until the start of their final year.
Research students will not be able to book a ceremony until they have been granted leave to supplicate.
Students will not be able to attend a ceremony if:
- they have not passed all required examinations; or
- they have outstanding battels; or
- they have outstanding library fees.
For the ceremony itself you will only pay a £40 fee if you are having the Oxford MA conferred: payment must be made online no later than 30 days prior to your ceremony date, by following the instructions which will be emailed to you shortly after your ceremony booking is confirmed. Your MA booking will be cancelled if payment is not received by the deadline.
For all graduands, if you would like to attend the canapé reception at Merton College after your degree ceremony there is a cost of £12.50 per guest.
The conferral of your degree is conditional on the passing of all required examinations. If you have any debts or dues outstanding to your college or the University you may not be permitted to graduate.
If you are a research student, you must also submit a library hardcopy and an electronic copy of your thesis at least five days before the degree ceremony.
If you are attending a degree ceremony to receive your MA, DD, DCL, DM or MCh, you should be aware that the standard wording for admission to these degrees by the Vice-Chancellor uses a Christian formula. An alternative, non-Christian formula is available on request.
If you wish to be admitted with the non-Christian formula, please select this option on the booking form.
Graduands attending in person will receive their degree certificate from the Dean who will be present at Merton College after the ceremony (with the exception of ceremonies in late-July/August, when certificates will be posted after the event).
Graduands choosing to have their degree conferred in absentia will have their certificate sent to them by recorded post.
If you have already had your degree conferred, but did not receive a certificate following the ceremony, or your certificate has been lost, destroyed, damaged or stolen, visit the degree certificates page.
Your degree must be conferred at a graduation ceremony before a degree certificate can be issued. If you need proof of your degree before the ceremony, please order a degree confirmation letter.
Yes, but only one of your degrees will be conferred in person; the remainder will be conferred in absentia. You may also have multiple degrees conferred in absence at the same ceremony.
You may attend for your most recent degree and have the others conferred in absence at the same ceremony. If you would like to attend a ceremony in person for each of your degrees, you must decline the invitation for your most recent degree and contact your college.
The status of Master of Arts is a mark of seniority within the University which may be conferred twenty-one terms after matriculation. This is not an automatic process and to obtain your MA you must apply to graduate at a degree ceremony (either in person or in absentia).
You must have had your BA or BFA conferred in order to take your MA. They can be conferred at the same ceremony provided that sufficient time has elapsed since you matriculated. You should book a degree ceremony through your college. You are not eligible to take an MA if your undergraduate degree is an Oxford integrated Master’s degree (MBiochem, MChem, MEng, MMath etc).
The Oxford MA allows you to reach a new status within the University and is not an upgrade of your BA or an additional qualification. It therefore has no subject or class. The University does not issue degree confirmation letters or ECTS statements as proof of your MA. Please use your degree certificate as evidence of this award.
If requested, we will reserve up to two guest spaces for the ceremony at the Sheldonian Theatre for you. You need to complete the relevant section on the booking form.
There is no official dress code, however most guests dress for a formal occasion.
Children aged seven and over are welcome to attend the ceremony - they will require their own ticket.
If requested, we will reserve up to two guest spaces for the reception at a cost of £12.50 per guest. You need to complete the relevant section on the booking form.
Payment must be made online to secure your reservations at least two weeks prior to the ceremony by following the link which will be emailed to you a month before your ceremony. You will not be able to reserve spaces after this time and guest spaces will be cancelled if payment is not received by this time.
There is no official dress code, however most guests dress for a formal occasion.
Children of all ages are welcome to attend the reception.
For friends and family who do not have a guest ticket, live streaming of the ceremony will be available via the livestream.com website. Just select the correct date and time of your ceremony; the live stream will start a few minutes before the ceremony begins.
Following the ceremony, you may buy a copy of your ceremony on DVD. The live ceremony streams will not be published so cannot be viewed after the event. Details of how to purchase the DVD are available in the ceremony programme.