Graduation Ceremony 2024

Click here to check your ceremony date and time. Ceremony time per student

All graduands will receive digital ticket information and a link to RSVP via their student email account 3-5 weeks before the event. Each graduand will receive one Graduand ticket and 2 guest tickets.   

Requests for additional guest tickets will not be facilitated.  If empty seats are available before the start of the ceremony, additional guests may be accommodated by ATU staff. 

The Knocknarea Arena has access facilities for people with disabilities. Additional facilities include wheelchair positions with adjacent companion seat in the Arena.  

Please email  graduation.sligo@nullatu.ie in advance of the ceremony so that we can provide you with the services you require. 

Please let us know if you have any special requirements in advance of the ceremony so we are fully equipped to accommodate you on the day. 

The Arena’s seating plan layout is available here. 

A Quiet Space will be available during the conferring ceremonies.  This can be used by those experiencing sensory overstimulation / overwhelm, when needed.  It will be accessible before, during and after the ceremonies while the building is still open (Opening hours can be found here.

Signage will be placed around the venue to guide you to the Quiet Space or Staff in the area can assist. 

Those graduating must present in the correct academic gowns and hats for the Conferring.

Please follow the link below to the gowning company, Armstrong and Oxford:

https://www.armstrongandoxford.com/ 

A reduced rate is available for prebooked gowns.  Online booking will close at midnight on Sunday, 27 October.

Gowns can be collected on campus in rooms B1080, B1081 and B1083 between 8am and 5pm each day.  If you are attending the 10am Session on either day, you may collect between 5pm and 7pm the previous evening.

If you cannot collect your gown personally it is acceptable for a family member or friend to collect it in your name, provided they have proof of prebooking.  Gowns must be returned to the same area 90 minutes after each ceremony.

For the convenience of ATU students, the University has competitively tendered for the provision of academic gowns. Students may choose to use gowns from alternative suppliers. Please ensure that you obtain the correct gown and colours for your University qualification.

For staff gown bookings, the link is: https://www.armstrongandoxford.com/gowning/staffgownbook

The closing date for booking of staff gowns is midnight Wednesday, 23 October 2024.

Due to the large number of people involved in the graduation ceremonies, it is important that you arrive early. You are requested to arrive on campus 1 hour in advance (i.e. 9am Thursday for Session I), to be gowned, checked in and seated 30 minutes before the start of your session.  

Once you are gowned, you should enter the Knocknarea Arena by the front entrance (for campus maps download Mazemap – ATU Sligo ATU Sligo Mazemap.   

You will be assigned a seat number on entry and will be seated alphabetically with your programme.  It is very important to remain in the correct seat number to receive the correct parchment. 

Late arrivals may be conferred in absentia. We recommend that graduands do not take bags or coats with them to the ceremony.   Members of staff will assist you. 

Upon entering the Knocknarea Arena, please familiarise yourself with the nearest exit. In the unlikely event of an evacuation being necessary, bear in mind that there are exits behind and to the left of the stage in addition to the entry points. You must exit from the building to the outside. 

Should you require medical attention, qualified and approved medical personnel are on duty throughout the ceremony.  

Finally, before entering the Arena, please silence your mobile phone. 

• Academic procession 

• The President convenes a meeting of the University for the purpose of conferring academic awards. 

• The Head of College delivers a welcome address.  

• The Head of Faculty presides over the ceremony. 

• The Registrar presents the graduands. 

• The graduands are called to receive their awards. 

• The President confers the awards. 

• The President delivers a conferring address. 

• The academic procession and new graduates retire 

Following the Head of College’s welcoming address, you and your fellow graduands will be guided from your seats by staff to line up near the stage area. 

When your name is called, you should approach the stage to receive your scroll holder. After you have collected your scroll holder, you should descend the stage, collect your parchment and return to your seat. Staff will provide guidance. 

If you do not attend the ceremony, your award will be conferred in absentia, your name will still be called out on the day. 

When the ceremony has concluded, everybody stands while the President and members of Governing Body leads the platform party from the stage, which is followed by the academic procession and the new graduates of the University. Again, University staff will provide guidance. 

Congratulations on the successful completion of your Doctoral or Masters by Research studies at ATU Sligo.  You will receive written confirmation outlining further details of a rehearsal time and further details of gowning etc. 

Each ceremony will be live streamed, the links are on the ATU Website. 

A sign language interpreter will be present on the day for each ceremony. 

Before you are permitted to graduate, you must have paid all fees and library fines and returned all books and property to the University by 6th September 2024. It is ATU policy that students with an outstanding balance owing will not receive their parchment on the day of their graduation. 

Atlantic Technological University have engaged Lafayette Photography for graduation photography.  The University has competitively tendered for this provision. 

For students who wish to avail of their service, it is recommended but not essential to pre-book your photography online at http://www.lafayette.ie through the “Graduation Photography” section. Lafayette Photography studios are open from two hours prior to your ceremony, closing thirty minutes before your ceremony time.  Studios will re-open again after your ceremony.  You do not need your parchment for your photograph as a prop will be provided. 

Light refreshments will be provided in the main canteen area before and after each Ceremony. 

A Shuttle bus will be available on a continuous loop from the Main reception “Fish” to the Knocknarea arena during the ceremony days. 

Carparking is available in the main campus car park