How many guests can I bring to the ceremony?
Students can apply for a maximum of two guest tickets. These will be free of charge.
E-tickets will be sent out approximately two weeks before the ceremonies. The e-ticket will be sent to the email account you used to register at the time of booking. Please keep a note of the email address you used to register for graduation. You will need to bring printed e-tickets to be admitted to the Guildhall.
Can my guests bring children to the ceremony?
Yes, graduation is a family occasion. However, you must include children in your request for tickets (with the exception of babies). If small children become upset or restless during the ceremony, we kindly ask that your guests take them out of the auditorium until they have settled. Unfortunately we are not able to provide any crèche facilities.
Can I sit with my guests?
Students will be allocated a specific seat in a designated “students only” area. This is because students are required to walk across the Guildhall stage as part of the ceremony. Guests are free to select a seat in the guest area.
What happens if I don't receive as many tickets as I would like?
Unfortunately it is not possible for us to exceed the capacity of the Guildhall. Your family and friends will be able to watch proceedings on the internet. You should direct them to www.solent.ac.uk and they will be able to view your ceremony live.
Can my guests take photos or video the ceremony?
Your guests are welcome to take photographs or video footage, as long as they do not affect the enjoyment of other guests or interrupt the flow of the procession. The ceremonies will be filmed and the graduation film will be available as a free download.
What about guests with special requirements?
There will be an opportunity to let us know if either yourself or your guests have any special requirements when you book in for graduation. We will make contact with you before your ceremony to discuss how we will meet your requirements.
Visa letters
If you or your guests require a visa letter to attend the ceremony, please email graduations@solent.ac.uk and include the following information in full:
- Your full name
- Your full course title
- Your date of birth and those of your guests
- The full names of your guests (a maximum of two guests can be included on a visa letter)
- The full postal address of you, your guests, and their relationship to you.
You must book in for your ceremony before you request a letter.
As each application varies, please also make sure you allow plenty of time to apply for your visas.
International students graduating from Solent may be eligible for a 2- or 3-year-long graduate route visa; for more information, please see the graduate visa page on the student portal.
