University Campus Oldham Graduation 2026

Event overview

This year’s University Campus Oldham Graduation Ceremony will take place on Friday 16th October 2026 at The Loom.

Below you will find information about the ceremony, tickets, gown hire and photography.

If you have any questions relating to the Graduation Ceremony, please contact the UCO Student Services Team on 0161 344 8800 or info@uco.oldham.ac.uk.

Booking your tickets, robes and photography

William Northam manages ticket bookings, gown hire and photography packages for the Graduation Ceremony.

Click here to book

Academic dress and gown hire

Wearing academic dress at an award ceremony is compulsory, and you cannot participate in the ceremony or cross the stage without it.

It comprises a gown, hood and mortarboard, denoting your awarding body university and the title of the award you have obtained. On the day of the ceremony, you should dress smartly.

All orders must be placed by Friday 2nd October 2026.

Before you order, please ensure you have the following information available:

• The name of the qualification you will be receiving (course title)
• The date of your ceremony: Friday 16th October 2026
• Your chest size and height
• Your hat size (measured approximately 2.5cm above your eyebrows)
• Your credit or debit card details

If you require a gown size outside of the standard range, please ensure this is specified when placing your order.

Please ensure you order the academic dress appropriate to the qualification you are receiving, not a qualification you may already hold.

Please note: If you are unable to attend the ceremony or become ineligible to graduate, please contact William Northam directly regarding gown hire cancellations and refunds. Please refer to their terms and conditions for further information.

Photography packages

When booking your gown hire, you will also be able to select and purchase your preferred photography package through William Northam.

A range of professional photography packages will be available, including individual portraits and family graduation photographs, helping you capture and celebrate your achievement on the day.

Tickets

Graduand ticket

There is no charge for graduates to attend the ceremony.

Your graduand ticket includes:

• Entry to the Graduation Ceremony
• A souvenir programme
• Access to the UCO Careers Service for three years following graduation.

Please note: Attendance at the ceremony is subject to successful completion of your qualification and meeting all graduation eligibility requirements.

Guest tickets

Students may purchase up to two guest tickets for a total cost of £10 per student via William Northam.

Guest seating is unallocated and available on a first-come, first-served basis on the day.

Children must have their own seat in accordance with Health and Safety regulations, which require all guests and participants to be seated during the ceremony.

Please ensure tickets are booked before the deadline of Friday 2nd October 2026. Payment must be made at the time of booking.

Additional guest tickets

After the booking deadline of Friday 2nd October 2026, the availability of additional guest tickets will be reviewed based on the number of graduates attending and the number of guest tickets already purchased.

If available, additional tickets will go on sale from 10:00am on Monday 5th October until midnight on Sunday 11th October 2026.

An email confirming the sale date and time will be sent nearer the time.

Please note:

• Additional tickets are available on a strictly first-come, first-served basis
• A maximum of two additional tickets may be purchased per student
• Admission is by ticket only
• Entry will not be permitted without a valid ticket
• All tickets will be issued electronically and emailed to the address provided during booking after ticket sales have closed.

Venue information

The Graduation Ceremony will take place at:

The Loom
Parliament Square
Oldham
OL1 1AS

Visit The Loom website

What happens on the day?

Before the ceremony

8:30am

• Graduates should arrive from 8:30am on the day of the ceremony
• Registration, gowning and photography will take place
• Gowns can be collected from William Northam staff during registration
• Guests are asked to take their seats in the hall following any family or group photographs.

10:10am

• Graduates, staff and dignitaries will take part in a procession through the town
• This will involve approximately a 5–10 minute walk, so suitable footwear is recommended
• Staff will provide further directions on the day.

10:30am

• Once you arrive back at the venue, staff will direct you to your seat
• Please ensure all mobile phones are switched off or set to silent while inside the venue.

The Graduation Ceremony

11:00am

• The ceremony will begin at 11:00am and is expected to last approximately one hour
• At the start of the ceremony, graduates will be asked to stand while the platform party processes through the auditorium to the stage. Once the procession is complete, you will be invited to take your seat
• When it is time for your course group to cross the stage, a member of staff will notify you. Please wait until instructed before leaving your seat
• When your name is called, you will cross the stage and pass a representative of your awarding partner university or institution. This marks the official conferment of your award.
• After crossing the stage, please follow staff directions to return to your seat
• The ceremony concludes with official speeches and closing proceedings
• At the end of the ceremony, graduates will stand while the platform party forms a guard of honour. Graduates will then process, row by row, through the guard of honour.

Returning your gown

Please return your gown to William Northam staff at the venue by 2:30pm on the day of the ceremony.

Please note: Failure to return your hired gown may result in additional charges from the supplier.

General information

Please note:

Invitations are issued to eligible students in anticipation of successful course completion.

To attend the ceremony, students must:

• Successfully complete their award
• Pay any outstanding tuition fees
• Clear any outstanding library fees or fines

If you register to graduate but later become ineligible to attend, any booking costs incurred will be refunded in full.

Invitations and ceremony information will be sent to both your UCO and personal email addresses. Please ensure your personal contact details are up to date.

Gown hire, photography and ticketing should be booked directly through William Northam.

Certificates are not issued during the ceremony and will instead be posted to your home address.

Official photographers will be present throughout the event, and photographs may be used for publicity purposes. Wherever possible, consent will be obtained; however, this may not always be practical, particularly for crowd photographs.

Awarding partner university graduation ceremonies

You may also receive an invitation to attend your awarding partner university’s graduation ceremony. You are welcome to attend either ceremony or both.

Further information about your awarding partner university’s graduation ceremonies can be found below:

• University of Huddersfield
• University of Lancashire
• Sheffield Hallam University

Cancellation policy

If the Graduation Ceremony is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled due to circumstances beyond the reasonable control of University Campus Oldham (UCO), including but not limited to severe weather, acts of terrorism, pandemics, industrial action, national mourning, fire, flooding or other unforeseen events, UCO shall not be liable for any direct or indirect losses incurred by graduates or their guests.