In this article:
- What’s Relaxed Graduation, and who’s it intended for?
- What happens at Relaxed Graduation?
- When does Relaxed Graduation take place?
- Am I eligible to attend Relaxed Graduation?
- I have access requirements, can I still attend one of the main Graduation ceremonies?
- How do I book my place?
Graduation is an important milestone, and at King’s, we want every student to have the opportunity to celebrate their achievements in a way that suits them.
We offer a Relaxed Graduation event for students who would prefer a quieter Graduation than the main ceremonies at Southwark Cathedral or the Royal Festival Hall, to meet their accessibility needs, neurodiversity, or other personal circumstances.
This event is designed for students who may find large events overwhelming or inaccessible, but still wish to celebrate their achievements with their loved ones. This smaller, more informal celebration provides a welcoming, supportive and comfortable environment. Please see Am I eligible to attend Relaxed Graduation? for more information about eligibility to attend a Relaxed Graduation event.
At Relaxed Graduation, the focus is on creating a calm, flexible atmosphere where you can celebrate your success in the way that feels right for you. You can choose which elements of the day you would like to take part in, including:
- Wearing a graduation gown
- Having professional photos taken
- Being presented with a scroll by a senior member of staff
- Spending time with your guests in a relaxed area with refreshments
You can take part in all or just some of these activities.
We hold a Relaxed Graduation event once a year during the Autumn semester, usually towards the end of October or the beginning of November. Exact dates will be confirmed nearer to the time for the next Relaxed Graduation event.
You must have already been awarded your degree to be eligible to attend.
Relaxed Graduation is specifically intended for students who need an alternative to our main ceremonies due to accessibility requirements, neurodiversity, or other personal circumstances. It is not a formal graduation ceremony, like the main ceremonies held each Winter and Summer at either Southwark Cathedral or the Royal Festival Hall.
Important to know: if you couldn’t attend your ceremony for other reasons, such as scheduling clashes, travel issues, or personal commitments, Relaxed Graduation is not an alternative to the formal Graduation ceremonies. In these cases, you should contact the Graduation Team to discuss deferring your place to the next set of formal ceremonies.
We do our best to accommodate your accessibility requirements and requests at our main Winter and Summer ceremonies. If you’d prefer to attend one of these events, you’re welcome to do so.
When you book your place at one of the main ceremonies, you can tell us about any adjustments you or your guests may need within the booking task, for example, wheelchair-accessible seating or end-of-row seats.
You can also contact the Graduation Team in advance to discuss your needs in more detail and find out how we can best support you.
If you’d like to book a place at Relaxed Graduation, you can register your interest now. You can also contact the Graduation Team with any further questions or if you want to find out more about Relaxed Graduation.
If you register your interest, we’ll get in touch closer to the time of the Relaxed Graduation event to let you know when bookings open and to provide further information on the event logistics, including time, location and cost.
Important to know:
- Bookings for Relaxed Graduation will usually close 5 weeks before each event. If we receive your expression of interest after this time, we’ll contact you regarding future opportunities.
- If you were unable to attend one of our main ceremonies for reasons such as scheduling clashes, travel issues, or personal commitments, do not complete this form. Instead, contact the Graduation Team to discuss deferring your place to the next set of formal ceremonies.