Graduation | University of Strathclyde

We welcome the planned easing of Covid-19 restrictions over the coming months and the strong possibility that Scotland will be in protection Level 0 in June.

However, we regret that the summer 2021 graduation ceremonies at the Barony Hall will not be running due to Covid-19. The Level 0 social distancing rules for indoor events mean that we cannot hold the summer graduations in person again this year.

While the ceremonial aspect has had to be postponed, please be assured that those eligible to graduate will still receive a degree or qualification award this summer. Arrangements are now in place to ensure that formal awards are granted by the University Senate to enable you to take up offers of employment or further study.

All students eligible to graduate will graduate in absentia on Wednesday, 30 June 2021, and will be given the option to participate in a replacement graduation event in 2022.
To facilitate the award, in absentia, we still require you to complete enrolment for Graduation; this has re-opened so please register as soon as possible.
It’s important that you enrol online no later than Friday 4 June 2021, so that we can check that your personal details and programme information are correct.
In our continuing commitment to you during this challenging period, we have taken steps to ensure you will have access to an authorised and approved digital copy of your degree certificate shortly after the conferment date. Information on how to access your digital certificate can be found here but please note that this facility will not be available until after the conferment date.
Our Frequently Asked Questions (below) have been updated to reflect the changes for the summer 2021 conferment of awards, and it is important that you read this information and understand the steps that each of you now need to take.

We very much look forward to celebrating your success at a future ceremony with your family, friends and supporters. The successful completion of your degree programme is of paramount importance to all of us here at Strathclyde as is the conferment of your award and celebration of your success.

Why have the Summer 2021 graduation ceremonies been postponed?

This difficult decision was made in response to guidance from the Scottish Government. Although this will be extremely disappointing for many of you, the safety, health and wellbeing of our students and staff must remain our priority.

Will I still be granted my degree award despite graduation ceremonies being postponed?

Yes. It is important to stress that our decision to postpone the Summer 2021 graduation ceremonies does not impact on the University awarding you your degree or qualification. Arrangements are being put in place to ensure that formal awards are granted by the University Senate to enable you to take up offers of employment or further study.

If you meet your degree requirements and are eligible to graduate in the summer, your award will be conferred on you in absentia on Wednesday 30 June 2021. You will have the option to participate in a replacement graduation event at a later date and once arrangements have been finalised we will contact you.

We will make sure that you have access to a digital copy of your degree certificate shortly after the conferment date. Information on this is available online.

Degree parchments will be prepared and printed at a later date, once it is appropriate for staff to return to University buildings.

Do I still need to enrol to graduate?

Yes. Graduation enrolment is now open and you must enrol to graduate no later than Friday 4 June 2021.

Do not wait until you have your results or until your award has been confirmed before you enrol to graduate. You need to enrol online in order to verify your personal details as this information will be used for the production of your digital certificate. This is why it’s really important that you enrol and confirm your details.

In addition, the information you provide when you enrol will enable us to give you access to your digital certificate, to contact you regarding a replacement graduation event once this is confirmed, and to make arrangements for you to receive your parchment. Please make sure that you provide a non-university contact email address that you will still be able to access later in the year.

What do I do if I decide not to progress to the next or final year of my course?

If you decide not to progress to the next or final year of your course (eg Honours) there are three things you must do:

you must notify your department or school as soon as possible. This will allow them to update your student record and, if you are eligible, put you forward for an award.
you must also let the graduations team know by emailing graduation-enquiries@strath.ac.uk as soon as possible, and no later than Tuesday 25 May 2021.
you must enrol to graduate no later than Friday 4 June 2021 in order to verify your personal details. The information you provide will enable us to give you access to your digital certificate, to contact you regarding a replacement event once this is confirmed, and to make arrangements for you to receive your parchment. Please enrol and confirm your details as soon as possible and do not wait until you have your results or until your award has been confirmed.

Important: Graduation enrolment is not confirmation that you intend to withdraw early from your course and will not prompt notification to your department. You must complete all three steps; notify your department or school; confirm to the graduations team; enrol to graduate.

What happens if I don’t qualify for my award in time?

If you enrol to graduate for the conferment but don’t qualify for the award in time, your enrolment will automatically carry forward to the next available conferment.

I have already enrolled to graduate in person at the graduation ceremonies. What should I do?

As the graduation ceremonies are postponed your enrolment will automatically be transferred to an in absentia graduation.

You will have the option to participate in a replacement graduation event at a later date and further information will be issued in due course. However, we understand that your personal circumstances and contact details may have changed since you enrolled therefore we ask that you check the details you provided and update as appropriate.

Please make sure that the contact address on your graduation enrolment form is a non-university email address that you will still be able to access later in the year.

Although I am eligible to graduate in the Summer 2021 ceremonies I have already requested for my enrolment to be deferred.

If you are eligible to graduate in Summer 2021 but have already requested for your enrolment to be deferred then your award will not be conferred in absentia on Wednesday 30 June 2021 and you will not have access to a digital certificate. You will be conferred and receive your degree parchment in November 2021 as planned, either in absentia or in attendance depending on your enrolment.

If you now wish to graduate in absentia in Summer 2021 and gain access to your digital certificate, and have the option to attend a replacement graduation event at a later date, please contact graduation-enquiries@strath.ac.uk.

How will I receive my certificate after my degree has been conferred?

Degrees will be conferred, or formally awarded to students by Senate, on Wednesday 30 June 2021. Shortly after this, you will be given access to a digital copy of your degree certificate. You can find information online with instructions on how to access your certificate and we will use the contact details that you provide on your graduation enrolment form. It is very important that these details are current and correct so please provide a non-university email address that you will still be able to access later in the year.

Degree parchments will be prepared and printed at a later date once it is appropriate for staff to return to University buildings and further information will be issued in due course.

Will it be possible to collect my degree certificate from the Student Lifecycle Offices?

No. This will no longer be possible.

Shortly after degrees are conferred, you will be given access to an electronic copy of your certificate. We will use the details that you provide on your graduation enrolment form to contact you regarding access to your digital certificate, and the replacement graduation event, so it is very important that these details are current and correct.

We understand that your personal circumstances and contact details may have changed since you enrolled therefore we ask that you check the details you provided. Please provide a non-university email address that you will still be able to access later in the year.

Degree parchments will be prepared and printed at a later date once it is appropriate for staff to return to University buildings and further information will be issued in due course.

When will rescheduled graduation ceremonies take place?

We are unable to provide dates for the replacement graduation events yet. We will continue to monitor the situation and confirm dates as soon as we are able to and we will update the FAQs accordingly. You will be contacted regarding the replacement graduation events using the contact details that you provide on your graduation enrolment form. You must enrol to graduate no later than Friday 4 June 2021 and provide a non-university email address that you will still have access to later in the year.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to find solutions during these unprecedented times.

Will you contact me once the new ceremony dates have been confirmed?

Yes, we will contact you by email and we will use the contact details you provide on your graduation enrolment form. It’s important that we have up to date contact information for you so please make sure you enrol to graduate and that the details you provide are current and correct. If you have already enrolled and wish to update your details please do so online.

Information will also be posted on the University's Coronavirus information pages, and on social media.

Will I need to confirm I am attending a replacement graduation event once the new dates are published?

Yes, once the new dates are published, you will need to confirm with us that you wish to attend one of the replacement graduation events. Information on how to do this will be sent to you nearer the time.

We will use the details you provide on the graduation enrolment form to contact you. It’s important that we have up to date contact information for you so please make sure you enrol to graduate and that the details you provide are current and correct. If you have already enrolled and wish to update your details please do so online.

My visa might have expired. Will I need a new one?

If your visa has expired at the time you and any family members are travelling to the UK for the purposes of attending a replacement graduation event, you will need to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa.

Will I receive an academic transcript?

An academic transcript will be produced and issued along with your degree parchment at an appropriate time once staff are able to return to University buildings.

In the meantime, if required, you can apply to have a pdf copy of your transcript emailed to you. You should submit your request to transcripts@strath.ac.uk. Please note that this could take up to 28 days due to the anticipated volume of requests.

Will my award be published in the newspapers?

Yes, if you have requested your name to appear then the ceremony listings will appear in the Glasgow Herald and Scotsman on Wednesday 30 June 2021.

Pre-orders for the Glasgow Herald can be made online and then click on Special Edition Issue. Pre-orders should be made by Friday 25 June 2021 to avoid disappointment.

You can contact the Scotsman on 0330 403 0066 or subscription@jpimedia.co.uk.

Will I be able to order graduation merchandise?

Branded merchandise, including hoodies and t-shirts, is available to buy online via Campus Clothing. Pick up the perfect keepsake whilst contributing to the Alumni Community Scholarship, supporting current and future Strathclyde students.