How Long do Graduation Ceremonies Last? - Graduate Coach (2024)

University

Jun 24, 2024

Graduation is a momentous occasion. But many wonder, how long do graduation ceremonies last? This guide will give you an idea of what to expect.

Generally, university graduation ceremonies last 60-90 minutes but may extend to 2 hours. This will vary on a variety of factors explored below. However, to get the best approximation, contact the graduation team at your university.

Factors to Consider

Several factors influence the duration of a graduation ceremony.

Number of Graduates attending the ceremony

The more graduates, the longer the ceremony. Each graduate needs to walk across the stage. Large universities can have thousands of graduates. Typically, the process of getting all graduates across the stage is extremely efficient. This planning and efficiency reduces the time it takes to acknowledge each person.

Ceremony Schedule

Some institutions hold multiple ceremonies in a day. This can help manage time better, to prevent delays in subsequent ceremonies beginning. Check the schedule to know if you are attending the morning, afternoon, or evening session.

The Components of the graduation ceremony

Understanding the key components can help gauge the duration. Most ceremonies include:

• Processional: Graduates enter the venue.
• Speeches: These include welcome addresses and keynote speeches.
• Awarding Degrees: Each graduate is called to the stage.
• Recessional: Graduates exit the venue.
  

Each of these parts adds to the total time. Some university graduation ceremonies may include more parts. Check with your university’s graduation team to get an order of service.

How Long Do Graduation Ceremonies Last: Planning Your Day

Knowing how long the graduation ceremony lasts is important for several reasons. It helps in planning your day effectively, allowing you to schedule other activities around the ceremony. For those with medical conditions or small children, understanding the duration ensures you can make necessary accommodations for comfort and care.

It also aids in making travel arrangements, especially if you have to commute. Additionally, being aware of the ceremony length helps you prepare for seating and meals. Finally, it assists friends and family in planning their attendance, making sure they don’t miss this significant milestone.

Remember the graduation ceremony is not the only part of your graduation day. Your graduation day is likely to be a full day of activities. You’ll need to: arrive early to sign in and collect the robes and cap that you hired, walk to the ceremony venue, attend the ceremony, attend the after-event for photos and celebrations and hand in your robes and cap. So it is a full day especially when you take into account travel time. Here are some factors that will add additional time to your graduation day that you may have not yet thought about.

Travel Time and the importance of arriving early

On the day of your graduation, you must leave your house in plenty of time. Some universities advise students to arrive 2 hours before the beginning of their ceremony (Check this with your university ahead of time).

This is to give you ample time to sign in and collect your gown and cap. Therefore you must account for this in addition to the travel time when deciding when to set out. Don’t forget to consider traffic and find somewhere to park if you are travelling by car.

Prepare for Waiting

Be prepared for some waiting time. Bring a book, water, or a small snack. Comfortable clothing and shoes can make the experience more pleasant. You may have some waiting time between putting on your academic dress and the beginning of the event. At the venue there may be some waiting time especially if another ceremony is running over slightly.

Post-Ceremony Plans

Consider the time after the ceremony. There will be photo opportunities and possibly a reception. Plan for an additional hour or two after the ceremony ends to attend these. If you have other commitments, and cannot attend the post-ceremony events, you may wish to arrange your own graduation photoshoot and host your own graduation party.

Conclusion

So, how long do graduation ceremonies last? It varies, but typically lasts between 1.5 – 2 hours. A lot of pre-planning goes into ensuring the efficiency of the event. Don’t forget, the day doesn’t just consist of the ceremony, you must ensure you arrive in plenty of time to prepare in terms of signing in and collecting your robes. After the event, you may wish to have official photos taken and attend the reception hosted by your university. Knowing what to expect helps you plan and enjoy this special day.

Congratulations! Enjoy your graduation day and acknowledge all the work you’ve dedicated to your studies over the past years. If you are yet to secure a graduate job, get in touch with us. Here at Graduate Coach, we have helped 5000 students and graduates land their dream jobs with the help and support provided by our one-to-one coaching programme. Get in touch with us if you need help.

Featured image by Pavel Danilyuk from Pexels