SERC Graduation 2025

SERC will be hosting its Graduation ceremony at the Waterfront Hall/ICC Belfast on Friday 19 September 2025.

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 19 September at the prestigious Waterfront Hall/ICC 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 in their studies.

Graduation Registration

Eligible graduands will be notified by letter at the beginning of July. Once you have received your invitation, you can book tickets to the graduation ceremony via the online booking form  Note that payment must be made in full at the time of booking and the deadline is Friday 8 August, 2025.

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 £15 per guest.

Note: All purchased Graduation tickets are to be collected at the Waterfront Hall from 12.30pm on the day of the ceremony.

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.

If you have any queries about Graduation tickets or gowns, please contact our provider Armstrong & Oxford. 

For all other Graduation related queries, please contact: marketing@serc.ac.uk

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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 https://www.armstrongandoxford.co.uk/gowning/studentgownbook by Friday 8 August, 2025. Please note: 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 (with the exception of babies under one year old, who do not require a ticket).  
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 this Year's Photographs
Photograph from Graduation 2023 View on Facebook
Watch this Year's Video
Photograph from Graduation 2023 Watch On YouTube