Degree ceremonies

Undergraduates

  • The main ceremonies for undergraduates take place at the end of June; these are referred to as General Admission
  • Undergraduates may choose to have their degree conferred at any of the degree ceremonies held throughout the year. Please check with your College before you apply
  • Only the current graduating cohort of students may attend General Admission. Students who delay their graduation will not be able to attend GA the following year

Undergraduates usually proceed to the Bachelor of Arts (BA), their first degree in most cases, as soon as they are qualified to do so. However, if you intend to be a candidate for the Master of Engineering, Master of Mathematics, or Master of Science degrees, you must defer taking the BA until the end of your fourth year. Please let your College know ASAP if you intend to do this. If you graduate with the BA you will be ineligible to continue to a fourth year.

Postgraduates

  • Any postgraduate degrees can be conferred at an ordinary congregation ceremony
  • Please check with your College before applying as not all Colleges present students at every ceremony
  • Postgraduates cannot attend the General Admission ceremonies at the end of June

The Cambridge MA

To be eligible for the MA, you must:

  • Have had your BA conferred
  • Waited at least six years from the end of your first term of residence

The Degree of Master of Arts denotes a person's standing in the University and gives admission to membership of the Senate. It does not depend on further study, residence, or payment of a fee. Further details are obtainable from Tutors or College Praelectors.

Frequently asked questions

On the day of the ceremony you will receive a hard copy of your degree certificate(s). Please note that this is an original document and should be kept safe throughout the day as replacements will only be available at a cost. 

The certificate that you receive at the ceremony is the standard University A4 printed certificate. We also offer an A3 calligraphed version which can be purchased here: http://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/your-course/graduation-and-what-next/degree-certificates-and-transcripts/degree-certificates

There is not a specific framing service but Tempest Photography (the photographers on the day of the ceremony) provide a selection of certificate frames in the lawn marquee that you can purchase on the day. You simply need to view the range of frames and advise which style you would like to purchase. Once purchased you can take your frame away with you and insert the certificate yourself. 

If you specifically require a framing service then this will need to be further researched by yourself as this is not a service provided or offered. 

If you have left your certificate this may be picked up by a member of staff. Please send an email to your College Tutorial Office and this can be investigated. 

If your certificate is not located then your College will need to send a request to the Student Registry for a new certificate to be produced and sent. We cannot gurantee that this will be free of charge and you may be required to purchase the replacement copy. 

If your certificate was marked or creased before being given to you at the ceremony this will have already been noted by the member of staff from the Student Registry handing them out and a replacement will be provided free of charge and sent to your College the week following your ceremony for onward distribution. 

If your certificate got damaged, e.g. creased, bent or damaged by rain, following the ceremony then you will need to purchase a replacement copy. Please see the following page for further information about ordering certificates: http://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/your-course/graduation-and-what-next/degree-certificates-and-transcripts

Graduands with accessibility concerns are welcome to use mobility aids in the Senate House. The Senate House does not regulate the style or colour of these aids. There is also step-free access to the Senate House. If other accessibility concerns arise, speak to one of the Senate House Constables on the day, and they will be able to assist you. 

Please Liaise with your College prior to the ceremony to discuss your requirements.

If you will be leaving Senate-House by the step-free exit, please advise your college tutorial office so they may inform the congregations team. This will allow Student Administration staff to hand you your certificate at the correct exit.