Winter Graduation 2025
Graduation is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate your academic achievement with friends, family, supporters, your peers and the wider University.
Congratulations to the class of 2024!
The Winter 2025 Graduation ceremonies will be taking place at The Forum in central Bath on the 4th February 2025.
Gown collection and photography will take place at Komedia, Bath.
We’ve put together this guide on everything you could possibly need to know about this very important event in your Bath Spa University career.
Don’t forget to make your booking via our TicketSource platform (links in your invitation email) by the booking deadline. Sadly, we can’t guarantee availability if you miss the deadline.
Important information
Registration and guest tickets
Online Registration for graduation is now open.
Once you’ve registered to confirm attendance, we’ll contact you separately through our ticketing system with information on how to book guest tickets. All tickets will be sent to you by email through our TicketSource booking system.
For general enquiries email the Graduation Office at graduation@bathspa.ac.uk.
For queries about booking and robes please email: graduationbookings@bathspa.ac.uk.
Robes
Once you’ve registered your place, you’ll receive a link to book robes and photography so keep an eye on your inbox. Remember, you must wear the correct robes for the ceremony.
Robes can be hired or purchased only from official suppliers Ede & Ravenscroft. Bath Spa University robes are dark blue (except PhD robes, which are a lighter blue) and the hoods are blue and silver; the design of the hood varies depending on which level of award you are receiving.
Remember to leave enough time to collect your robes from Komedia before your ceremony – we recommend around 2 hours.
Venues and travel information
The graduation ceremonies will take place at the Grade II listed building The Forum in Bath. Komedia is where you'll collect your academic robes, and where official photos are taken. We recommend you allow at least two hours from checking in at Komedia to seating at The Forum.
Graduation ceremony at The Forum
The graduation ceremonies will take place at The Forum in Bath (street address: St James's Parade, Bath BA1 1UG). This Grade II listed building was originally an Art Deco cinema, and with up to 1600 seats is Bath's largest events venue.
Seating is upholstered and is raked so everybody has a good view of the stage. The Stalls on ground floor are fully accessible for wheelchair users. The Circle (first floor) is accessible only via stairs.
There are toilets on both floors, including an accessible toilet on the ground floor.
Robes and photography at Komedia
Komedia (street address: Komedia, 22-23 Westgate St, Bath BA1 1EP). This is where you'll collect your academic robes, and where official photos are taken.
It is approximately a 8 minute walk between The Forum and the Architect.
Graduation celebration event at The Architect
The Architect (street address: The Empire, Orange Grove, Bath BA1 1LP) This is where your pre or post-graduation celebration event will take place.
Visit Bath
The Bath Visitor Information Centre can provide help and information.
Address: Bridgwater House, 2 Terrace Walk, Bath BA1 1LN
Email: tourism@bathtourism.co.uk
Phone: 01225 614420
Clean Air Zone
If you're driving into Bath for your graduation event, please note that Bath's Clean Air Zone (CAZ) is now in operation and that some vehicles may be subject to these charges. For more information, please visit the Bath & North East Somerset Council website.
Parking in Bath
There is no parking at Komedia or The Forum and on-street parking is very limited.
The nearest large car parks to The Forum are in Avon Street and Southgate, and there are a number of car parks in Bath.
The city also has good public transport links and several Park and Rides; you may find these websites useful when planning your journey:
Travel by train
Bath Spa train station is located in the heart of Bath’s city centre and is only a five minute walk from The Forum and a 10 minute walk to Komedia.
There's a taxi rank outside the train station.
What happens at Graduation?
Graduation is a very special day, with lots of different elements - not least the ceremony itself. For many, this will be your first experience, so we’ve put together this guide on what to expect.
Timings are incredibly important, so please remember to take your seats at least 20 minutes before the event is due to begin.
On the day
Graduation checklist
In order for everything to run smoothly, please make sure you've done the following by 15 December 2024:
- Registered your attendance
- Ordered your academic robes from Ede & Ravenscroft
- Booked your photography with Ede & Ravenscroft
- Booked your guest tickets
- In addition, have you thought about lunch, dinner or afternoon tea? It's a good idea to book ahead of time - the Visit Bath website has information on places to eat in Bath.
- Have you also considered one of the many great photography spots in the city of Bath - our Graduation Selfie Trail has several suggestions!
FAQs
How many guests can I bring?
You are guaranteed two guest tickets (in addition to yourself) at no charge. You may purchase additional tickets (as outlined in your invitation) at a cost of £12.50 each.
We'll be looking to ensure that we can accommodate the number of guests, depending on the capacity of the venue. Guests are classified as any age and do include small children and babies.
If you'll be driving to the city please try to travel with your guests if possible.
What if I need to cancel?
Please email the Graduation Office at graduation@bathspa.ac.uk as soon as possible so that we can update our records. If you've purchased additional tickets you'll be reimbursed for these.
What if I have special requirements?
If you need help booking wheelchair spaces or other access support for yourself or your guests, please email the Graduation Office at graduation@bathspa.ac.uk.
If we are not aware that you have any special requirements, we may be unable to meet them on the day.
You can also provide us with details on your preferred name and/or how to pronounce your name. During the ceremony, your name will be read by someone from your School, but they may not know you personally, so if you would rather have a different name read out than that of your official name or think that it would be useful to provide guidance regarding the pronunciation of your name, please let us know via the link which was provided in your invitation email.
I'm experiencing financial difficulty – is there any assistance available?
Although we are providing two guest tickets free of charge, for some students the cost of hiring academic robes for the event may present difficulties. We can assist a limited number of students with the cost of hiring academic robes for graduation.
Any student who has been allocated funds from the Bath Spa University Access Fund during the current academic year, or who has received a Bath Spa University Bursary, will be given a 50% discount on their robe hire – this will be applied automatically when you book your robes with Ede & Ravenscroft. This discount will be applied only once.
What if I don't achieve my award in time for Graduation?
Should you not complete your award in time to graduate at your expected ceremony, you can obtain refunds on any of your purchases by contacting each of the services involved.
When you do complete your course, you'll be invited to the next available graduation ceremony.
Do I have to wear robes to my Graduation ceremony?
Yes, all students who attend Graduation should be wearing a robe. If you have any issues relating to this, please email graduationbookings@bathspa.ac.uk outlining your concern.
How do I order my robes?
Robes can be ordered through Ede & Ravenscroft (the University’s official gown supplier). You'll receive a link to book robes and photography once you have registered your place to attend Graduation.
Please do not send robe orders to the Graduation Office.
Where can I collect my robes?
Robes can be collected at Komedia, no earlier than 2 hours prior to your ceremony start time, and should be returned there by 6:00pm on the same day.
What kind of clothes should I wear?
Graduation ceremonies are formal events and we advise that you dress to suit the occasion, in clothing which will be manageable and comfortable beneath your robes.
The hood is designed to be attached to a button on a shirt or blouse, but can also be pinned.
I need to change or amend my registration – how do I do this?
Any changes to your booking (changes to any special requirements, change of address, etc.) should be made by contacting the Graduation Office directly: graduationbookings@bathspa.ac.uk.
Who can I contact about a refund on my gown hire, photography or other service?
Refunds for other services (gown hire, photographs, souvenirs) should be sought directly from the supplier. Please note that you may be subject to an administration fee.
When will I get my degree certificate?
Certificates will not be handed out at graduation; your documents will be sent by post to your home address after the ceremonies.
Documents are sent to the home address recorded in the student records system (SITS). If your details have changed, then these can be updated via the Evision portal or you can raise a call via MyServices and we will update SITS records on your behalf.
Is there anything to be aware of if bringing a child or vulnerable adult?
We warmly welcome younger members of your family to join us in celebrating Graduation. To help make your day enjoyable and safe for our younger guests it is important that the children in your care remain with you at all times.
We ask that you accompany younger children, and any vulnerable adults in your party too, if they need to use the toilet facilities, which will be clearly marked to indicate whether they are a single sex or open communal facility. It is also useful to know that some of Bath's historic buildings, while stunning, can have bumpy flagstone floors and steep stone staircases.
Is there anything else I should know?
Perhaps most importantly, Graduation is your big day – remember to slow down, take it in and enjoy it!
After Graduation
Keep in touch
Graduation doesn't mean goodbye! We'd love to stay in touch and support you as you start the next part of your journey. Please tell our sign up to secure graduate support about your plans, and Careers team.
Capture some memories of the day
Ede & Ravenscroft are our official photographers. You can order photographs online through their website - but please remember you must get to graduation on time. If you're late, we can't wait.
Contact them via photography@graduation-services.co.uk or by calling +44 (0)1223 861854.
On the day, the Students' Union will have a stand selling a range of Bath Spa University merchandise. Alternatively, you can pick something up online.
Why not try our Graduation Selfie Trail (pdf download) and show off the beautiful surroundings of Bath to your guests? Don't forget to share your pictures with us!
#BathSpaGrad #BathSpaProud