Congregation of Awards FAQs

Undergraduate Ceremony

• Starts at 11:30am.
• The Concert Hall opens for guests at 10:45am and they must be seated by 11:15am.
• Graduands must be on the Lower Concourse by 11:00am to line up for the Graduands Procession.

Postgraduate Ceremony

• Starts at 4:00pm.
• The Concert Hall opens for guests at 3:15pm and they must be seated by 3:45pm.
• Graduands must be on the Lower Concourse by 3:30pm to line up for the Graduands Procession.

Once you have confirmed your attendance at the ceremony, you will receive a link to book your guest tickets. Graduands may book up to 2 complimentary guest tickets on a first-come, first-served basis.

Graduands do not need to book a ticket for themselves. A Graduand seat will be automatically allocated to you as part of the ceremony.

If guests have accessible seating requirements or need to bring an Essential Companion to assist them, please contact our Box Office at [email protected] or phone 0161 907 5555.

Guest eTickets will be issued via your RNCM student email address. You will need to forward these to your guests.

Graduand tickets detailing your seat number are issued on the day of the ceremony and can be collected from the RNCM Box Office when you register on arrival.

After the initial registration deadline of Friday 23 October 2026, any remaining guest tickets will be released shortly thereafter for purchase at a cost of £20 per ticket on a first-come, first-served basis. You’ll receive an email notification once they’re available for booking.

Please note: As additional guest tickets are allocated after the initial booking period, it may not be possible to seat all guests from the same party together.

Any additional guests without tickets are welcome to view the ceremony comfortably via the screens provided in The Lounge and Cafeteria.

Gowns must be ordered in advance from Wm Northam & Co Ltd no later than 18 November 2026.

Photographers from Wm Northam & Co Ltd will be available throughout the day. Graduands are advised to book photography in advance via the company website. Those who do not pre-book can queue on the day and pay online after the event.

Students with outstanding debts to the RNCM, such as library items or recording department fees, will not be eligible to graduate and will not be able to attend the ceremony until these debts are cleared.

Maps showing nearby car parks are available via the RNCM website.

Graduands are advised to arrive no later than two hours before the start of their ceremony to allow sufficient time for registration, robing, photography and lining up for the Graduands Procession.

Graduands MUST report to the Box Office on arrival to register and collect their graduand seat number ticket.

Wm Northam & Co Ltd will be based in Studio 2.

• Undergraduate ceremony: from 8:30am
• Postgraduate ceremony: from 1:00pm

Only the graduand may enter Studio 2 due to limited space. Gowns must be returned by 6:30pm on the same day.

As the ceremony is a formal occasion, graduates should dress smartly. A buttoned shirt or blouse is recommended to secure the hood. Small safety pins and hair grips may also be useful. Suitable footwear is advised due to steps throughout the venue.

The photography studio will be located on the Student Deck. Graduands are encouraged to have photographs taken immediately after robing, as there is limited time after the ceremony.

All graduands are allocated seats in the Concert Hall, with ushers available to assist. After presentation on stage, graduands return to their allocated seats. Bags and coats should be left with guests where possible.

Guests are allocated seats in the lower hall and balcony of the Concert Hall. Ushers will be available to help. At the opening and closing of the ceremony, all graduands and guests are asked to stand during the President’s procession if they are able to do so.

Families are welcome. RNCM asks that graduands notify them in advance if bringing babies or young children. Children require a ticket to enter the Concert Hall.

Photography and video recording are permitted. Flash photography is not allowed, and guests should avoid obstructing others’ views or disrupting the ceremony.

Yes. The ceremony will be live streamed via the RNCM website. A live screening will also be available in The Lounge next to the Café Bar.

Certificates for students awarded in the summer will already have been posted. Other certificates may be collected on the day. Uncollected certificates will be posted to the student’s home address, so contact details should be kept up to date.

Once the President’s Procession leaves the stage, the staff procession will exit the Concert Hall followed by graduates. Guests are asked to remain seated until the processions have concluded. Refreshments will be served on the concourses afterwards.

Gowns should be returned to Wm Northam & Co Ltd in Studio 2.