SERC Graduation 2024

SERC hosted our Higher Education graduation ceremony at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall on Friday 13 September 2024.

Graduation is one of the college’s showpiece events that celebrates the successes of higher education students, SERC staff and the wider college community.

More than a thousand guests gathered to honour and celebrate the achievements of graduates completing Degrees, Foundation Degrees, Higher National Diplomas, Higher National Certificates, Higher Level Apprenticeships and a range of professional qualifications at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Certificates were presented by John Nugent, Chair of the Governing Body.

Guest speaker Dr. Isla Fraser, a forensic scientist, shared her journey as a female working in the STEM field, in an interesting and entertaining speech.

We also presented Excellence Awards to students who have performed particularly highly, or who have overcome challenges to achieve their qualifications, and recognised businesses who have collaborated with SERC to develop the skills of their workforce or to nurture apprentices.

We are grateful to the Chartered Management Institute and to Irwin who each sponsored a category in the Excellence Awards.

The vote of thanks was given by Rebecca Cinnamond who graduated with a first class honours degree in Cloud Computing.

Category Sponsors

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 Monday 5 August 2024. 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. 

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