Graduation at Cambridge University
Hoping to attend a graduation ceremony at Cambridge University? Or maybe just a little nervous about your own graduation ceremony! Don’t worry, Footprints are here to help! Our Cambridge colleagues have put together the ultimate guide to help you with your visit!
Most of our tour guides have graduated from Cambridge over the past few years and most of them have fond memories of the big day! Consequently we decided to write a little guide to the ceremony!
Degrees are awarded at The Senate House throughout the year. As a result you can watch the students process from their colleges, through the streets of Cambridge to the Senate House. Each college has a separate procession, in order of academic recognition by the university.
We must admit, the ceremony is somewhat peculiar. First of all it is conducted entirely in Latin, which makes it a foreign experience for most. During the proceedings students are waiting in rows of four as they approach the Praelector of the College (who is a master of ceremonies). The Praelector hold out their hand to each group of four and each students need to take hold of one of the Praelector’s fingers with their right hand.
Then the students are individually presented to an important University official, generally their College President. The following events take place:
- A Latin statement is read out, which translates to “Most worthy Vice-Chancellor and the whole University, I present to you this man/woman whom I know to be suitable as much by character as by learning to proceed to the degree of____; for which I pledge my faith to you and to the whole University.”
- Then the undergraduate kneels and offers their hand to the vice-chancellor who says the following in Latin:
- “By the authority committed to me, I admit you to the degree of ____, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
The graduate then stands up, bows and is given their certificate as they leave The Senate House. Consequently they are now officially an honourable graduate of Cambridge University!
Graduation is traditionally followed by drinks and photos with your parents on the lawn of The Senate House…And then heading to the pub with your mates!
Check website for specific dates and times
Getting Here By Train
Cambridge Train Station
Getting Here By Bus
St Andrew’s Street (Stop S1): Citi 1 and Citi 3
Getting Here By Car
Grafton West Car Park, Cambridge CB1 1HE
