Graduation is the highlight of the academic year. The December Degree Congregations will take place between Monday 4 and Friday 8 December 2023.  

Can I join the procession?

Yes! All members of University staff are invited to process in academic dress at the Degree Congregations. Please visit our robe-hire webpage for information about joining the procession and instructions on how to order academic dress. You also need to use the robe-hire form to book your place in the procession, even if you already have academic dress and do not need to hire it. The deadline for this is Friday 24 November 2023. You do not need to be a member of academic staff, nor hold a degree, to take part.

Volunteering

How can I get involved in the ceremonies? 

We rely on staff from across the University volunteering to take on a broad range of roles in order to deliver these exciting and important events. You do not need to be a member of academic staff, nor hold a degree, to undertake any of the roles listed here and duty robes will be provided without the need to place an order. You'll be fully supported throughout, with training and help from the Graduations team.  If you would like to take part, please complete our online form to let us know your availability and the roles that you are comfortable with taking on. 

How much time do I need to commit?

Volunteering roles can last as little as an hour, and there is no minimum to the amount of ceremonies you can assist with.  Marshals and Ushers report 1 hour before the ceremony start time and finish at the beginning of the ceremony.  Mace bearers, Procession Managers and Steps duties report 30 minutes before the ceremony, and the duty ends at the end of the ceremony which is an hour and a half maximum.  Floor Managers report a hour and a half before the ceremony, and leave at the end of the ceremony which can be a maximum of an hour and a half. 

We need help with the following roles:

Mace Bearers

The University’s Mace Bearers lead the procession into the Great Hall at the beginning of each ceremony and out again at its conclusion. Two Mace Bearers take part in each ceremony: an Esquire Bedell and a Centenary Mace Bearer. Both have a seat on stage for the whole ceremony, which will last up to an hour and a half. Volunteers will be asked to report 30 minutes before the ceremony start time. The total time commitment is up to 2 hours. You can learn more about each role by watching the videos below.

"It’s an incredible feeling when you walk into the Hall, carrying the mace and starting the ceremony that completes the journey for hundreds of soon to be fellow Birmingham alumni, and an even more incredible feeling walking out again with the applause starting as the new graduates follow behind". - Mace Bearer

Procession Managers

Steps

Steps is the final link in a long chain of staff involved in ensuring that the correct graduand is presented at the correct time during the ceremony. Our 'floor of hall' team will have already carried out multiple checks to ensure the correct graduand is presented to you but the role of Steps is the final check before the graduand goes up on stage for their degree. The role is undertaken at the top of the steps to the platform, hence its name. This involves standing in view of the audience but most attendees will be watching their loved one going up on stage so you need not worry about being the centre of attention! You will be asked to report thirty minutes before the ceremony start time to receive a breifing,  you will be free to leave the ceremony as soon as the last student has been presented for their degree.  The total time commitment is up to 2 hours. You can learn more about the role by watching the video below.

"I had a great time and found it really rewarding to see students happily graduating after their time here! Standing on stage was pretty intimidating at first but it all went smoothly and I will volunteer again!" - Steps

Floor Managers

These specialist roles oversee the flow of graduands in the Great Hall. Under the supervision and guidance of a member of the Graduations team, Floor Managers lead a team of five student staff to ensure that all graduands are registered, seated and presented in the correct order at the ceremony. Floor Managers should be assured and confident in their abilities, able to work under time pressure, be confident managing a team, enthusiastic when speaking to graduands and their guests, able to create a positive working environment, and have excellent customer-service skills.  You will be asked to report an hour and a half before the ceremony start time, and will stay for the duration of the ceremony which can be up an hour and a half.  The total time commitment is up to 3 hours. 

Marshals and ushers

If you are nervous about taking an active role in the ceremony but would still like to be involved in the Degree Congregations, we are always in need of help from enthusiastic marshals and ushers who can provide a cheerful welcome for our graduands and their guests. Staff marshals help to manage the flow of attendees around campus, provide directions and generally help to ensure that we provide a warm welcome. Staff ushers help with getting the graduands seated before a ceremony starts and with the flow inside our venues.   The total time commitment is up to 1 hour. 

Top tips

Degree Congregations are a joyous occasion and we receive very positive feedback about volunteers experiences.  There are a few tips that can help you on the day

• Wear comfortable shoes - for lots of roles, you will be on your feet for periods of time so comfortable shoes are a must
• Stay hydrated - we recommend that you bring your own water bottle to refill
• Please ask if you're unsure - we are very grateful for volunteers giving up their time to help make graduation happen and we're always happy to answer questions about any of the roles.