Graduation ceremonies are bestowed in tradition, with many aspects of the typical ceremony dating back to twelfth century Europe, where degrees were originally given to new scholars as licenses to teach.
For many, crossing the stage, receiving a scroll and wearing a gown is a professional and personal highlight. But for some, aspects of a conventional graduation ceremony may feel uncomfortable or impractical.
Our graduation team work hard to accommodate the accessibility needs of students at our main ceremonies. For example, by arranging wheelchair ramps, making shorter routes to the stage or providing adjusted seating. Despite all the possible adjustments that can be made, for some, the traditional format can still feel loud, crowded and overstimulating.
This is why, this year, we offered a Relaxed Graduation ceremony to students.
What is a Relaxed Graduation ceremony?
A Relaxed Graduation ceremony is a less formal version of the typical event, designed for students who may feel more comfortable celebrating their achievement without the pressures, people and proceedings of the main event.
There’s no audience, loud noises or music. You can still receive a degree scroll from an office holder, have your photo taken professionally and bring your family with you, but all of this is optional.
At the beginning of November, colleagues in the Graduations and Events team set up the event in the Exchange on the ground floor of Bush House, chosen because it is a large open space, filled with natural light from Aldwych. Careful attention was paid to the room: bright art was removed from the walls, and furniture was rearranged to maximise the flow of the space.
Patri Sedeño Carmona, Student Lifecycle Events and Engagement Officer, who helped to arrange and manage the ceremony explains: “Relaxed Graduation was designed to make sure that every student can celebrate in a way that feels comfortable and meaningful to them.
“Unlike similar smaller or low-stimulus ceremonies elsewhere, this event is designed to give students complete control over their experience. They can choose what matters most to them – wearing a gown, taking professional photos, meeting senior staff, learning about the alumni community, or simply sharing a drink with their friends and family.
“By offering a personalised, low-pressure environment and removing the stress of large crowds, Relaxed Graduation provides an inclusive way for all students to mark this significant milestone on their own terms.”
To keep the space calm and organised, the team gave each student a timeslot to attend with their guests. Jeremy Cook OBE, our Senior Vice President (Operations) and Chief Operating Officer handed out degrees, and students were free to enjoy the space with their guests for the rest of their timeslot.
Camille Chedburn, a Student Lifecycle Events & Engagement Senior Officer, who also helped to run and manage the event, found that students appreciated that they could pick and choose what parts of the proceedings that they wanted to engage with: “The flexibility of the event meant that the students could have an experience that was personal, and supportive of their own needs. Many of their family and friends also said it was great to mark this milestone in a meaningful and memorable way.”
“A particularly popular part was the opportunity to speak with a senior staff member in a relaxed setting over a drink”.
Relaxed Graduations are part of our whole-university approach to student mental health and wellbeing, for which we were awarded a Student Minds Mental Health Charter award in 2024.
Think this might be for you?
The next relaxed ceremony is planned for Autumn 2026, intended for anyone who is meant to graduate in January or Summer 2026.
This version of the ceremony is designed for students who may be neurodivergent, or have certain health conditions. It’s not an alternative if you can’t make your schedule graduation date.
The students at this year’s relaxed ceremony, were invited after not attending their summer graduation. But, for the 2026 ceremony, you will be made aware of this option on your invite for your 2026 ceremony.
To find out more or to express interest in attending a Relaxed Graduation team email the Graduations team or read our Relaxed Graduation Knowledge article.