Graduation ceremony details

Register for your graduation ceremony

Registration is quick and easy – everything is done in one place. We’re excited to welcome you to your graduation ceremony! Once you’ve received your official invitation, you’ll just need to complete your registration form. From there, you can:

• Confirm your attendance and choose your ceremony location
• Purchase guest tickets
• Hire your gown for the ceremony
• Pre-order photography packages (optional)
• Request extra guest tickets (subject to availability)
• Provide dietary preferences and accessibility requirements

Register for a graduation ceremony

Stornoway Ceremony - 30th October 2026

Our event will take place in several different venues: Stornoway Town Hall, Martin's Memorial Church of Scotland and UHI North, West and Hebrides, Stornoway Campus. 

Further and Higher Education Graduands (Gowning) 

Participants are to report to Stornoway Town Hall at 9.30 am on Friday 30th October 2026 for registration, collection of tickets and gowns 

All graduates (Photography) 

Our photographer, Malcolm Macleod Photography, will be available to take individual and family photos between 9.30am -11am.  Please ensure you take your photographic form along with you on the day.   A group photograph will be arranged after the ceremony. 

FE & HE (Rehearsal and Ceremony) 

• 11.15 am Graduands MUST assemble in Town Hall for rehearsal 
• 12.15 pm Graduands MUST assemble in Town Hall for procession to commence 
• 1.00 pm Ceremony commences in Martin's Memorial Church of Scotland 
• 2.30 pm Group photograph 
• 3.00 pm Celebratory event for graduates and guests will be held at UHI North, West and Hebrides - Stornoway Campus 

If you have any further questions, please email graduation.nwh@uhi.ac.uk or telephone Mabel Finlayson on 01851 770 207 

Thurso Ceremony - Friday 6th November 2026

This ceremony will take place at St Peters and St Andrews Church.

Timings for the Day

10.30am – 12:00pm Registration of all graduates and gowning of graduates in the Pentland Hotel
12:15pm - Graduates will be lined up and escorted from the Pentland Hotel
12:40pm - Your family and guests will need to be seated in St Peter’s and St Andrew’s Church
12.45pm - Graduates will be seated
1.00pm - Ceremony begins
2:30pm - Ceremony ends/drinks reception begins

Photography

Official photography to commemorate your day will be available in the Pentland Hotel before and after the ceremony in the Pentland Hotel, this must be arranged prior to the ceremony with Ede & Ravenscroft.

Seating

You will be seated separately from your family and guests, alongside fellow graduates from your course.

Receiving your award

At the appropriate point in the ceremony, everyone seated in your row will be asked to join a queue ready to go on stage. Our stewards will tell you when to go forward, the announcer will call your name, and you should walk onto the stage to be handed your presentation tube containing a commemorative letter scroll. You will receive your official certificate separately from your awarding body.

Higher Education graduates only:

• You will be “doffed” with the UHI academic bonnet which means you should bow your head slightly.

ALL students should:

• Shake hands with the presenter
• Pause and turn slightly to have your photograph taken
• Walk off stage as directed and return to your seat.

Students should remain seated after the ceremony for a few moments for an official group photograph, following which you will be able to join your family and friends and the college staff for some light celebratory refreshments at the Pentland Hotel.

We hope you have a wonderful day!

Fort William Ceremony - 27th November 2026

This ceremony will take place at Caol Community Centre, Fort William.

Timings

• 10.30 - 12.30pm - Gowning and Registration at Caol Community Centre for all graduates
• 12.30pm - Guest will be seated and graduates lined up for ceremony
• 1.00pm - Graduation ceremony will commence
• 3pm - Graduation ceremony will close and drinks reception begins

Photography

Official photography to commemorate your day will be available before and after the ceremony.

Seating

You will be seated separately from your family and guests, alongside fellow graduates from your course.

Once all your guests have been seated, you should move towards the coloured banner that matches the card you will be given at Registration on arrival. Staff will line you up in alphabetical order and you will be guided to your seat. Please make us aware if you have any mobility issues.

Receiving your award

At the appropriate point in the ceremony, everyone seated in your row will be asked to join a queue ready to go on stage. Our Stewards will tell you when to go forward, the announcer will call your name, and you should walk onto the stage to be handed your presentation tube containing a commemorative letter scroll. You will receive your official certificate separately from your awarding body.

Higher Education graduates only:

• You will be “doffed” with the UHI academic bonnet, which means you should bow your head slightly.

ALL graduates should:

• Shake hands with the presenter.
• Pause and turn slightly to have your photograph taken.
• Walk off stage as directed and return to your seat.

Graduates should remain seated after the ceremony for a few moments for an official group photograph, following which you will be able to join your family and friends and the college staff for some light celebratory refreshments.

What to wear on the day?

Guest information and tickets

You have two guest seats reserved for you.

Please confirm when you register if you’d like to use these places. As numbers are limited, we can’t guarantee additional seats, but if more become available, we’ll be happy to let you know so you have the chance to book them.

Guest tickets are £5 each (adults and children) and are payable online as you complete your registration.

FAQs

How will I be informed whether or not I can attend graduation?

Higher education students studying an HNC, HND, degree or postgraduate qualification will receive a communication from UHI confirming that they have achieved their award and asking which graduation ceremony they wish to attend, but you will also receive an invite from UHI North, West and Hebrides with booking information. 

All other successful students who are eligible to graduate will receive an email invitation after 7 September 2026.

It is very important that you keep your personal contact details, including your email address and postal address, up to date so that we can contact you.

You can update your personal details through UHI Records or email registry.nwh@uhi.ac.uk.

If you haven’t received an email and believe you should have, please contact us at graduation.nwh@uhi.ac.uk or call 01847 889000.

When and where are the ceremonies?

Where	Venue	Date and Time	Confirmation Deadline
Stornoway	Martin’s Memorial Church	Friday 30 October 2026 at 1pm	Friday 9 October 2026
Thurso	St Peter’s and St Andrew’s Church	Friday 6 November 2026 at 1pm	Friday 16 October 2026
Fort William	Caol Community Centre	Friday 27 November 2026 at 1pm	Friday 6 November 2026

How do I confirm my attendance?

You must accept your invitation and book your place no later than three weeks before your graduation ceremony. The confirmation deadlines are shown in the table above and confirmation details will be in your email invitation. 

Bookings will open after you receive your formal invitation. Your invitation will explain how to confirm your attendance, book places for your guests and pay for guest tickets.

If you have any questions, please contact graduation.nwh@uhi.ac.uk as soon as possible or call 01847 889000.

What happens if I forget to confirm my attendance?

We want to include everyone who wishes to attend, but late bookings will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.

If you have missed the deadline but would still like to attend, please contact the Graduation Team urgently at graduation.nwh@uhi.ac.uk or call 01847 889000.

What should I do if I don’t want to attend the ceremony?

If you do not wish to attend, please let us know by emailing graduation.nwh@uhi.ac.uk.

What should I wear to graduation?

Graduation is a formal, celebratory occasion, so all graduates should dress smartly. Jeans and joggers should not be worn.

Suitable clothing could include national dress, a dark suit or trousers, a dark skirt or dress, a white shirt or blouse and smart shoes.

Higher Education Students

All Higher Education graduates must wear a graduation gown and hood in order to graduate and it’s vital that you order this in good time – and no later than the dates shown above for your chosen ceremony.

Further Education Students

FE students graduating with a SCQF Level 7 award can wear a graduation gown and hood (Qualification Scotland HNC hood) and it’s vital that you order this in good time – and no later than the dates shown above for your chosen ceremony.

Where will my guests be sitting?

You will be seated separately from your family and guests, alongside fellow graduates from your course.

Graduates will be seated alphabetically and grouped by course so that awards can be presented in the correct order. Your guests will be seated in the main audience area.

How many guests can I bring?

You can bring a maximum of two guests. Guest tickets cost £5 each for both adults and children and must be paid for when you register to attend.

Seating is limited, but additional guest places may become available. We hope to release any remaining seats at least one week before each ceremony and will contact graduates if additional tickets become available.

Please make sure your contact details are up to date so that we can reach you.

Can I bring my child or children to the ceremony?

Yes. Families are an important part of the celebration, and children are welcome at our graduation ceremonies. Please bear in mind that the ceremonies are formal and can last for some time, which younger children may find challenging.

I’ve booked my place and guest tickets but can no longer attend. Can I get a refund?

Guest tickets can be refunded up to one week before your graduation ceremony.

To request a refund, please contact graduation.nwh@uhi.ac.uk.

Will I receive an official certificate?

Your official certificate will normally be posted to your registered address by your awarding body.

At the ceremony, you will receive a commemorative letter scroll in a presentation tube as a memento of the occasion.

Will there be formal photography on the day or any other publicity?

Official portrait photography will be available at each ceremony. Further information about the arrangements for your ceremony will be provided nearer the time.

During the day, UHI North, West and Hebrides staff and our photographer will also take informal photographs and may record video footage that includes graduates and guests. These images and recordings may be used in our promotional materials, on our website and on our social media channels.

If you do not want photographs or footage of you to be used, please let us know by emailing graduation.nwh@uhi.ac.uk.

Graduates’ names and awards, including those graduating in absentia, will be published in the graduation programme and may also appear in the press. Please email graduation.nwh@uhi.ac.uk if you have any concerns about your details being published.

Who will be the guest speaker?

Our guest speaker will be announced nearer the time.

I have outstanding fees. Will I be able to attend graduation?

No. If you have an outstanding debt to UHI or one of its academic partners, including UHI North, West and Hebrides, you will not be able to attend the ceremony.

If you have an outstanding debt, please contact our Finance Team as soon as possible by calling 01847 889000.

Can I request ground-level or accessible seating?

Yes. If any of your guests have limited mobility or other accessibility requirements, please let us know when you book.

We will do our best to provide appropriate seating and make the ceremony as comfortable and accessible as possible. You can also contact graduation.nwh@uhi.ac.uk to discuss your requirements.

I have additional support needs. How do I let you know?

We are happy to make appropriate arrangements for graduates with additional support needs.

If you have limited mobility, a disability, a health condition or any other requirement that may affect your participation in or enjoyment of the ceremony, please contact graduation.nwh@uhi.ac.uk. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.

I have another question. Who can I contact?

If your question isn’t answered here, please email graduation.nwh@uhi.ac.uk or call 01847 889000. We will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Data protection

Privacy Notice: Learn how we handle your personal data regarding our graduation ceremonies.

Filming and Photography:

UHI North, West and Hebrides’ graduation ceremony is a significant event for our graduates, their guests and our staff. This ceremony is a public event and therefore there is no expectation of privacy under data protection legislation for any attendees. Our Privacy Notice explains how personal data will be processed for, and during, the event and provides guidance should you not wish your personal data to be processed in this way. This applies to all students who are intending to graduate or may be eligible for an award, whether they attend the ceremony or not. Please read this important information and ensure your invited guests are also aware of the information relevant to them. Your name will appear in the graduation programme and other print media. If you object to the publication of your personal data in this way please email graduation.nwh@uhi.ac.uk no later than 3 weeks prior to the date of the ceremony. All graduands and guests should be aware that the graduation ceremony and Reception are public events. Audio/visual images of the ceremony and reception are publicly available and may well be used in College webpages and publications. Notices are posted around the graduation venues on the day to remind you and your guests of this.