Graduation
Find out how to book your degree day, whether you’re a current student or you are returning to Oxford to graduate.
Degree ceremony information
Please see the relevant section below, for further details about the booking process. Further information about graduation can also be found on the University website.
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For students who finish in 2024
Undergraduates and taught course graduate students usually receive an email in the latter part of Michaelmas Term of their final year, inviting them to book a degree ceremony. Research students are invited to book a degree ceremony once they have been granted leave to supplicate.
For students completing in 2024, the booking window closes at the end of January 2024. If you have not booked your place by this deadline, please do get in touch with academic.office@hertford.ox.ac.uk as soon as possible.
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Historic graduands
If you did not manage to book a place at a ceremony during the finalists’ booking window, or if you completed your degree historically and wish to graduate in person at a ceremony, please contact us to be placed on the waiting list for one of our upcoming ceremonies.
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MA Conferrals
The status of Master of Arts is a mark of seniority with the University which may be conferred 21 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 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 and is not an upgrade of your BA or an additional qualification. It is awarded without further study and therefore has no subject or class.
In-person MA conferrals will be permitted again, but places will be extremely limited as priority will be given to finalists and historic graduands who have been unable to attend a ceremony in the last few years. Please contact us to enquire about availability. If you would prefer to receive your MA in absentia, this can usually be arranged within a couple of months. Please complete this application form and return it to the Academic Office.
There is a charge of £100 for an MA conferral.  Payment must be made through the University Online Shop, no later than 30 days prior to the ceremony date in order for your certificate to be issued. However, we do not recommend making payment until you have received an email confirming your booking. If payment is not made by 30 days before the ceremony, the University will cancel the booking and future conferral will be in absentia only.
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'In Absentia' Conferrals
If you would like to graduate in absentia and receive your certificate by post rather than in person at a ceremony, please complete this booking form and return it to the Academic Office.
University Terms & Conditions
All students (both current and former) wishing to book a degree ceremony must read the University’s Terms & Conditions. These conditions set out important information which you must be aware of. In particular, please note the 60-day cancellation policy if you successfully book an in-person conferral.
READ UNIVERSITY TERMS & CONDITIONS
Frequently asked questions
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Hertford degree day timetable
As part of your Degree Day celebration, Hertford offers an optional celebratory lunch for the graduand and up to two guests. Further details, including the timetable for the day, are sent to you around one month before your ceremony date.
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Guest tickets
Once you have secured a booking for a degree ceremony, we will contact you about guest and lunch requirements (usually around one month before the ceremony). Please note that all graduands are entitled to bring two guests to the ceremony in the Sheldonian Theatre and can request two guest tickets for lunch in college. Very occasionally we receive a few extra tickets for the Sheldonian ceremony only. If these become available these will be offered a few days before the scheduled ceremony. At college, as we are unable to offer extra guest places to everyone for the lunch, we do not permit more than the two-guest limit. You will be able to collect guest tickets from the Hertford Porters’ Lodge on the day of the ceremony.
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Dress code and gown hire
It is important that you wear the correct academic dress, as the marshals at the Sheldonian Theatre will deny access to any graduands not wearing the appropriate attire. All graduands are required to wear full academic dress, including a mortar board or soft cap, and your preferred sub fusc.
Please be aware that dark socks (if trousers are worn) or black tights (if a skirt is worn) are always required, even during the summer months.
You should make your own arrangements for the hire of gowns and hoods and bring them with you to college on the day of the ceremony. Suppliers in Oxford include:
Hertford College does not receive any commission or other benefit from these gown providers, and students are welcome to source their academic dress from any provider as long as they are the relevant Oxford gown and hood for your degree.
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Cancelling your booking
The University operates a 60-day cut-off for all degree ceremonies. If you are no longer able to attend the ceremony you have booked, it is imperative that you let us know as soon as possible, and no later than 60 days prior to the ceremony.
If you inform us that you are no longer able to attend the ceremony once we are within the 60-day cut-off period, your degree will be conferred in absentia. Please see the University website for further information.
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Degree certificates
Degree certificates are only issued once your degree has been conferred at a ceremony. If you are attending a ceremony your certificate will be available for collection from the Lodge on the day of your degree ceremony. If your degree is conferred in absentia, we will post your certificate via second class mail, to your last known address after the ceremony date. We are not able to courier certificates.
If you have not received your degree certificate within three months of the date of your ceremony, and you fail to notify the College of this within that period, you will be charged for a replacement certificate.
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Degree confirmation letters
If you require confirmation of your degree whilst waiting for a ceremony, you may be eligible for a digital Degree Confirmation Letter (dDCL). For further information, please see the University website.