Commencement Ceremony and Graduation FAQ - Spring 2025
This FAQ informs you about the Commencement Ceremony and graduation. Also make sure to look at the Leaving University College Utrecht page. Find the dates of the Commencement Ceremony in the Academic Calendar.
The final winter Commencement took place in December 2024. As of 2025 there are only spring Commencements which take place at TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht.
Am I commencing or not?
Commencement and graduation are two distinct events. Commencement refers to the ceremony celebrating the near conclusion of your studies, while graduation refers to the fulfilling of all academic requirements and receiving your diploma.
The Commencement Ceremony is a festive occasion available to all graduating UCU students and their families. As University College Utrecht students come from all over the world, the ceremony takes place at the end of the spring semester - before most students have officially graduated (August 31 or January 31 of the next year) and enables all graduating students to participate.
Students who graduate at a later date (like double degree or 7th semester students) can choose to either commence with their cohort or in the year they graduate. Students can only attend one commencement ceremony.
To attend the ceremony, students must have registered well before the mid-term period in the spring. Students eligible to commence (according to Osiris) will be sent an email by the Commencement Team with a link to a registration form. If you have not received such an email by the end of January, but wish to take part in the ceremony, please email the Registrar’s office (email below) ASAP.
How many tickets do I get?
You will automatically receive two complimentary tickets for your guests.
Note: Commencing students do not get a ticket as their seat is reserved and counted among the total number of seats in the hall, but your guests need one to enter the venue. A livestream of the event will be broadcast, so others can watch from all over the world as well.
Can I get extra tickets?
Because of the nature of our ceremony the Grote Zaal at Tivoli Vredenburg cannot be used at full capacity. Usually two extra tickets will be available for each graduate, on top of the two complimentary ones. However, this cannot be guaranteed, as it depends on the actual number of students commencing.
Extra tickets cost €25 and include a short reception afterwards. They will go on sale at a date to be decided upon by the Commencement Team. Remaining tickets, if any, will go on general sale for the college closer to the date of the ceremony.
What if I, or one of my guests, require(s) wheelchair access?
TivoliVredenburg is fully accessible to visitors with mobility requirements and has an elevator. Guests may use one of the dedicated areas with ample space for wheelchair or mobility aid users. There are also several rows of regular seats with step-free access. Please have your guests ask TivoliVredenburg staff for assistance in finding these areas or particular seats upon arrival.
For the commencing students there will be steps during the procession and to the stage to pick up their diploma cylinder. Should you need assistance to get onto the stage - or if you have any other (mobility) requirements - please let us know in advance by indicating so on your registration form, so we can make the necessary arrangements.
Do I have to wear a cap and gown?
It’s not obligatory, but it is part of the tradition to wear both. It is also welcomed to wear national dress. Some students choose to only wear the cap.
It’s absolutely fine (and appreciated) to borrow a cap/gown/tassel from an alumnus. Just make sure you get everything in time, to prevent any last-minute panics.
We suggest that you iron your gown (on very low heat) or hang it for a few days before wearing it to remove the folding lines that result from the packaging.
We want all commencing students to have the opportunity to celebrate this wonderful moment with their loved ones. For those who cannot afford a cap & gown, it is possible to apply to the student aid fund (link) via the Student Life Officer.
Where do I pick up my cap and gown?
You can pick up your cap and gown at the mandatory rehearsal in the weeks leading up to the Commencement Ceremony. Caps and gowns can be ordered online using the link provided by the Commencement Team. Cash is not accepted. If you are unable to make the payment, please give the amount to a friend who does and ask them to pay for yours.
Why the cap? And what if it doesn’t fit?
The cap is a necessary part of the celebration. After the conferring of the degrees, students simultaneously throw their caps high in the air. This is also a ‘photo-op’ moment for our photographer and guests.
The cap is one-size-fits-all and has an elastic band fitted at the back of the cap. If it is too small, we suggest opening the elastic to enlarge it and then re-sewing the seam. If you don’t need to adjust the cap but want to secure it, you can use a hairpin to attach the cap to your hair. [You could also add a name tag, if you want to be 100% certain to get your own cap back after the cap throwing 😊.]
What can I expect on the day of the Commencement Ceremony?
The ceremony is a formal ceremony that takes place during the afternoon (usually 13.00/13.30 – 16.00 hrs) with a short reception afterwards. Students are expected to arrive a few hours before the official start of the ceremony for rehearsals and photographs.
Details are provided before the day of the event.
Further queries about the Commencement Ceremony should be addressed to: ucu.commencement@uu.nl. Further queries about the graduation requirements should be addressed to: ucu.registrar@uu.nl.
