How to Register

All graduates MUST complete the registration process by the closing date in order to confirm attendance at Congregation.

Students who do not register by this time WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE CEREMONY.

Registration dates for Summer Congregation 2024 are to be confirmed.

Registration will open on a staggered basis as per the table below. Please note times provided are UK BST.

All eligible graduates will receive an email before the opening date with full instructions.

To access the registration system after the above dates, students should log into Banner Self Service (via Single Sign On) then select Congregation and Parchment. Please ensure you complete ALL sections until you reach the final confirmation page. 

Please note, you will need to set up Multi Factor Authentication to access Single Sign On. Full instructions are available at My Digital Durham (internal only).

• Students on Distance Learning and Global Learning Centre programmes need to click on the Student Record System tab to view Banner Self Service.
• If you are currently studying on another programme Banner Self Service will access information relating to your current programme. To access the registration system for your previous award, log into Banner Self Service then click on ‘Your Other Banner Staff / Student Records’, and select Switch Your Banner ID. You will then need to set the Banner ID for the record you wish to access as your default, logout and then log back in.
• If you cannot access Banner Self Service try following the Password Problems section on the Help screen or contact the CIS Service Desk in the first instance.
• If this does not work, please email the Ceremonies Unit, after your opening time, and we can register on your behalf.
• Do not wait until the deadline date to try accessing the registration system as we may not be able to assist you at at this late stage.

The Congregation registration system enables students to:

• State whether or not you wish to attend the Congregation ceremony
• If attending the ceremony, request guest tickets
• Confirm contact details and delivery address for parchment
• Provide the link to order robes and photographs
• Allow Doctoral students to confirm the thesis title 

Further guidance notes on completing the registration process will be published when registration is open.

Graduates who fail to register by the deadline will be unable to attend a future Congregation.

Graduates can return to the registration system to check or amend details at any time before the registration deadline. Any details previously input will be displayed, including the number of tickets allocated. Graduates are advised to only amend details they wish to change. After the registration deadline students would need to contact the Ceremonies Unit to amend registration details.

If you have any problems accessing the registration system contact the IT Service Desk in the first instance.

Graduates are strongly advised not to make any non-refundable travel arrangements for themselves and their guests until they have registered to attend and have requested their guest tickets.

Attendance Criteria

Result publish deadlines for Summer Congregation 2024 to be confirmed.

No degree or other qualification shall normally be conferred upon a student while he/she has a significant tuition fee debt owing to the University, in line with the University General Regulation IX B.

Only graduates awarded a Bachelor, Undergraduate Master, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Master or a Doctorate award are eligible to attend Congregation. Graduates awarded any other qualification e.g. Undergraduate Certificate, Undergraduate Diploma or Graduate Diploma, are not eligible to attend the ceremony.

Deferrals

Students should attend the first ceremony they are invited to and are eligible to attend. Students are allocated a ceremony based on their department and are unable to attend an alternative day in the same congregation save in certain circumstances. This is at the discretion of the Ceremonies Unit and requests should be made by contacting us directly.

Deferral to another set of ceremonies (e.g. from Summer to Winter) is reserved for exceptional circumstances only and is at the discretion of the Ceremonies Unit. Deferral requests should be made during the relevant registration period, by contacting us, and requests after the registration deadline will not be considered. 

Deferral (if granted) is to the next available ceremony as dictated by the Ceremonies Unit.

Previous examples of exceptional circumstances include recent bereavement, funeral attendance, critical illness in graduand or close family member, pre-arranged medical appointment such as scheduled surgery, imminent or recent birth of a graduand's child, and Covid lockdown in native country. Examples of circumstances we cannot account for are work/academic commitments, availability of guests, holidays, family events, financial difficulties and childcare issues.