Car parking
There is limited car parking at Aberdeen Music Hall however, there are plenty of carparks available a short distance away within the City.
Aberdeen Ceremonies
Tuesday 7 October at the Music Hall in Aberdeen.
The Ceremonies
Get in touch
The Ceremonies
Ceremonies for students studying at Aberdeen City Campus, Aberdeen Altens Campus and those learning in the workplace in the Aberdeen area will take place on Tuesday 7 October 2025 at the Music Hall in Aberdeen.
Morning Ceremony – 10:30am
For students graduating in:
- HND 3D Computer Animation
- HNC & HND Accounting
- HND Acting & Performance
- HNC & HND Administration & Information Technology
- HNC & HND Applied Sciences
- HNC & HND Business
- HNC & HND Computing
- HNC & HND Contemporary Art Practice
- HNC & HND Cyber Security
- HNC & HND Electrical Engineering
- HNC Fashion Business
- HND Games Development
- HND Industrial Biotechnology
- HND Legal Services
- HNC & HND Mechanical Engineering
- HND Creative Media & Communication
- HNC & HND Music
- HND Networking & Cloud Infrastructure
- HNC & HND Photography
- HND Sound Production
- HND Technologies in Business
- HNC & HND Textiles
- HNC & HND Television
- HNC & HND Visual Communication
- HNC & HND Web Development
- Modern Apprenticeships (all pathways)
Afternoon Ceremony – 3pm
For students graduating in:
- HNC Childhood Practice
- PDA Childhood Practice
- HNC Complementary Therapies
- HNC & HND Fitness, Health & Exercise
- HNC Healthcare Practice
- HNC & HND Social Sciences
- HNC Social Services
- HND Sports Coaching & Development
- HNC & HND Travel & Tourism
Checklist
These are the key things that need to be done ahead of graduation, it’s important that they are booked in advance.
On the day
Arrive in plenty of time
Please make sure that you arrive in plenty of time! Traffic can be heavy, especially coming into Aberdeen in the morning.
Graduands should be robed and in designated procession areas, 20 minutes ahead of the ceremony start time.
Registration
If you are graduating you must register on arrival so that we know you are here and we can inform you of your designated procession area. Guests do not need to register and can make their way to the seating areas.
Morning Ceremony – registration opens at 9am until 10am. The ceremony begins at 10.30am.
Afternoon Ceremony – registration opens at 1.30pm until 2.30pm. The ceremony begins at 3pm.
Dress code
In keeping with academic dress, you are requested to wear a white/light coloured top/shirt/tie and dark skirt/dress/trousers or national dress.
Academic gowns
Upon registering at the Music Hall, students collect their gowns and can have photographs taken.
20 minutes before the ceremony start time graduands will move to an allocated area to receive instruction on the ceremonial procession.
Seating
Graduands
Graduands will be lined up for their ‘Grand Entrance’ around 20 minutes before the start of the ceremony.
Guests
Guests can choose where they want to sit once they arrive. Individual seats are not reserved and guests can sit anywhere that is not reserved. Ushers will advise on any areas within the Music Hall which are not available for guest seating.
We ask that you be seated no less than 20 minutes prior to the start of your ceremony.
Telephones should be switched off or on silent mode.
General photography
During the ceremony College photographers will be around to take individual, group and crowd shots. If you don’t want to be photographed just let us know at the time. photographs taken.
Use of cameras
Cameras are allowed, but we ask that you refrain from using flash photography.
Filming
The ceremony will be filmed so that it can be shared in real-time on big screens.
Car parking
There is limited car parking at Aberdeen Music Hall however, there are plenty of carparks available a short distance away within the City.
Registration
If you are graduating you must register on arrival so that we know you are here and we can inform you of your designated procession area. Guests do not need to register and can make their way to the seating areas.
Morning Ceremony – registration opens at 9am until 10am. The ceremony begins at 10.30am.
Afternoon Ceremony – registration opens at 1.30pm until 2.30pm. The ceremony begins at 3pm.
Dress code
In keeping with academic dress, you are requested to wear a white/light coloured top/shirt/tie and dark skirt/dress/trousers or national dress.
Academic gowns
Upon registering at the Music Hall, students collect their gowns and can have photographs taken.
20 minutes before the ceremony start time graduands will move to an allocated area to receive instruction on the ceremonial procession.
Seating
Graduands
Graduands will be lined up for their ‘Grand Entrance’ around 20 minutes before the start of the ceremony.
Guests
Guests can choose where they want to sit once they arrive. Individual seats are not reserved and guests can sit anywhere that is not reserved. Ushers will advise on any areas within the Music Hall which are not available for guest seating.
We ask that you be seated no less than 20 minutes prior to the start of your ceremony.
Telephones should be switched off or on silent mode.
General photography
During the ceremony College photographers will be around to take individual, group and crowd shots. If you don’t want to be photographed just let us know at the time. photographs taken.
Use of cameras
Cameras are allowed, but we ask that you refrain from using flash photography.
Filming
The ceremony will be filmed so that it can be shared in real-time on big screens.
Car parking
There is limited car parking at Aberdeen Music Hall however, there are plenty of carparks available a short distance away within the City.
Registration
If you are graduating you must register on arrival so that we know you are here and we can inform you of your designated procession area. Guests do not need to register and can make their way to the seating areas.
Morning Ceremony – registration opens at 9am until 10am. The ceremony begins at 10.30am.
Afternoon Ceremony – registration opens at 1.30pm until 2.30pm. The ceremony begins at 3pm.
Dress code
In keeping with academic dress, you are requested to wear a white/light coloured top/shirt/tie and dark skirt/dress/trousers or national dress.
Academic gowns
Upon registering at the Music Hall, students collect their gowns and can have photographs taken.
20 minutes before the ceremony start time graduands will move to an allocated area to receive instruction on the ceremonial procession.
Seating
Graduands
Graduands will be lined up for their ‘Grand Entrance’ around 20 minutes before the start of the ceremony.
Guests
Guests can choose where they want to sit once they arrive. Individual seats are not reserved and guests can sit anywhere that is not reserved. Ushers will advise on any areas within the Music Hall which are not available for guest seating.
We ask that you be seated no less than 20 minutes prior to the start of your ceremony.
Telephones should be switched off or on silent mode.
General photography
During the ceremony College photographers will be around to take individual, group and crowd shots. If you don’t want to be photographed just let us know at the time. photographs taken.
Use of cameras
Cameras are allowed, but we ask that you refrain from using flash photography.
Filming
The ceremony will be filmed so that it can be shared in real-time on big screens.
What to expect
At the start of the ceremony
When the ceremony is about to start guests will be asked to stand for the arrival of the graduands. The graduands are piped into the auditorium and then ask to be seated. A musical performance begins the celebration, after which everyone will stand to greet the academic procession. Once the academic procession is seated you will be officially welcomed to Graduation 2025.
Duration
The ceremony should take up to 90 minutes.
Presentation of certificates and diplomas
Following the Principal’s address, graduands will be asked to stand at the side of the stage, a row at a time. When your name is called out you will make your way onto the stage, accept your commemorative scroll and shake hands with members of the academic procession. Your photo will be taken, so remember to take your time and enjoy the moment!
As you leave the stage, as a graduate, you will be greeted by a representative from NESCol’s Students’ Association who will hand you your certificate. You will then make your way back to your seat.
At the end of the ceremony
Immediately after the ceremony, you will be asked to stand as the academic procession leaves.
Graduates will then be asked to make their way out of the auditorium, in order, starting from the first row facing the stage. Once the graduates have all left, guests can remain in the auditorium area or move into Coda Café bar. Complimentary drinks will be served in both areas.
Celebratory reception
Graduates and guests are warmly invited to celebrate and join us for a drinks reception following the ceremony, located in the main auditorium and Coda Café bar.
Get in touch
Accessibility
If you or any of your guests have a disability or require additional support with entry to or seating at the venue, please contact us at least 10 days ahead of your ceremony.
Press Listings
It is the custom of universities and colleges to publish listings of those who choose to graduate. A list complete with first name, surname and town is supplied to Aberdeen Journals. If you do not want your name to be passed to the the newspaper publication you must let us know 30 days prior to the your ceremony date.
Graduation privacy notice
This privacy notice lets you know how and why we use your personal data.
Share Your Story
If you have an interesting “student journey” story to share with us we would love to speak with you. Perhaps your story will inspire others thinking about their next move!
Email marketing@nescol.ac.uk on the above or any questions about graduation.