Waterfront Hall, Belfast - BE26A

Tuesday 13 October 2026

*Booking will open on Tuesday 28 July 2026*

From	To	Activity	Location
11:00	13:30	Registration	Foyer, ground floor
11:00	13:30	Collection of academic dress	Ground floor
11:00	13:30	Photography	Ground floor
13:30	13:45	Auditorium doors open for graduates	Ground floor
13:50	14:00	Graduate rehearsal	Auditorium
14:00		Auditorium doors open for guests	Ground floor and first floor (see tickets)
14:30	16:00	Ceremony	Auditorium
16:00	16:45	Celebratory drinks	Gallery 1 and Bar 1, first floor
16:00	16:45	Photography	Ground floor
16:45	17:00	Return of academic dress	Ground floor

This page was last updated on 01 December 2025. The final version will be posted 2-3 weeks before the ceremony.

Arrival and registration

Upon arrival, please head to the Registration desks in the ground floor foyer to collect your tickets, presentation card and souvenir programmes. You will also be given an information sheet with additional details and timings of the day.

If you have any questions during the ceremony day, the staff at the Registration and Enquiry desks will be pleased to help you.

Academic Dress

If you have chosen to wear academic dress for your ceremony, you can collect this from the ground floor once you have registered. Collection will be open from 11:00 and all hired items should be returned by 17:00

For details on Open University academic dress, including how to pre-order from our approved supplier, see ‘Preparing for your ceremony’

Photography

The photography studios are located on the ground floor and will be open from 11:00. The service will also be available after the ceremony. Please be advised that there may be queues, so allow yourself plenty of time.

A photograph will also be taken of you when you cross the stage. This photograph will be available to purchase after the ceremony on the concourse, near the exit door, and online at www.edeandravenscroft.com.

For further details on the photography services available on your ceremony day, including how to pre-book, please see ‘Preparing for your ceremony’.

The ceremony

The doors to the auditorium will open from 13:30 for graduates and from 14:00 for guests. You and your guests should be seated 15 minutes before the ceremony begins. Your ceremony is expected to last approximately 90 minutes. Please note that large bags, pushchairs, buggies etc. will not be permitted within the auditorium during the ceremony due to health and safety. A buggy park will be available for use on the ground floor.

Further details about the ceremony proceedings can be found on ‘Your ceremony day’.

Post-ceremony drinks

After the ceremony, you and your guests are invited to join the academic procession for a celebratory glass of sparkling wine or soft drink.

Venue information

On the day contact

The Ceremonies Centre will be closed on the day of the ceremony, so to reach us / get a message passed to us please telephone +44 (0) 28 9033 4400.

Accessibility

The Waterfront Hall is fully accessible. For full details, please go to www.waterfront.co.uk/visit/accessibility/.

If you or any of your guests have additional seating requirements to be considered for the ceremony, please telephone us on +44 (0) 28 9053 622 no later than 4 weeks before your ceremony.