SERC Graduation 2023

SERC will be hosting its Graduation ceremony at the Waterfront Hall/ICC Belfast on Friday 8 September 2023.

Graduation is one of the college’s showpiece events that celebrates the excellent achievements of our higher education students, our staff and the wider SERC Community.  This year’s ceremony will be held on Friday 8 September at the prestigious Waterfront Hall in Belfast.

The ceremony will recognise the college’s students who achieved Higher National Diplomas, Higher National Certificates, Higher Level Apprenticeships, Foundation Degrees, Degrees and other higher education qualifications in a range of subjects.

As a College, we are very proud of the staff who help create the learning environment that our excellent students thrive in, and during the ceremony, we will take the opportunity to acknowledge staff who have made tremendous strides in their professional development by earning a higher education qualification in this past year. 

We will also have an awards section to allow us the opportunity to celebrate higher education students who have exemplified excellence as well as businesses who have worked closely and collaboratively with the college, to the betterment of SERC, their work force, their employees and our students. 

All tickets are £60, which will admit the graduand and two guests to the ceremony as well as covering the hiring of the graduand’s gown.

If you require additional guest tickets, these can be purchased (subject to availability) at an additional cost of £10 per guest.

To book your tickets for graduation please complete the online booking form by Friday 28 July, 2023.

To book your photography session visit www.lafayettephotography.co.uk to activate your online account, view packages and prices, and ensure a prompt service. If you have any queries about graduation photography you can view La Fayette’s FAQ section.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Invitation letters will be sent out at the beginning of July; if you do not receive one and are eligible to graduate, please contact marketing@serc.ac.uk 
To book your tickets for graduation please complete the online booking form by Friday 28 July, 2023. Once we receive your completed online booking form, we will issue an invoice for your ticket payment to be processed via PayPal. Please note that your tickets are only confirmed once payment has been made.
No, all debt must be cleared or you will not be allowed to Graduate. If you are in any doubt, please contact our Finance Department at studentfinance@serc.ac.uk to check if any debt is outstanding.  

Graduation ceremonies are a formal occasion.  The dress code consists of your gown, hood and formal dress. We recommend one of the following:  

  • A dark suit, white shirt and tie 
  • A dark dress  
  • A dark trouser or skirt suit, with a white shirt or blouse 

Other formal attire related to your cultural tradition or national costume. 

Go through the main entrance and look for the ticketing desk – it will be signposted. SERC staff will be on hand to assist.  
Graduands are invited to arrive at the Waterfront Hall from 12.30pm to collect their tickets and gown and participate in any pre-booked photography sessions. A rehearsal will take place at 3pm with all graduands and guests to be seated no later than 3.45pm. The ceremony begins at 4pm. 
Approximately 2 hours. 
Graduation is a formal event. If you choose to bring children to the ceremony, they must be able to stay still and seated for the duration of the ceremony which will last approximately 2 hours. If you wish to bring children as guests, a ticket must be purchased in order for them to enter the graduation auditorium. 
No. It is imperative that you sit in the seat allocated to you by the stewards on duty. You will be called in rows and in alphabetical order to receive your certificate on stage.  
No, it is essential that you stay seated until the platform party leave the stage.  
There will be a complimentary drinks reception for all guests. 
Yes, please state any accessibility requirements when you’re processing your booking, so we can make arrangements in advance.  
At the ceremony you will receive a mock-up certificate. Actual certificates will be available from the College after 1 October. You will receive a text message when your certificate is available to collect.  
No – you must collect this from the College after 1st October.  
The Awarding Bodies will not have the certificates ready by this date – SERC has to wait until we receive them.  
View Last Year's Photographs
Photograph from Graduation 2022 View on Facebook
Watch Last Year's Video
Photograph from Graduation 2022 Watch On YouTube