Bridgewater Hall, Manchester - MC25B

Friday 11 April 2025 (pm)

** Booking full for graduates **

From	To	Activity	Location
13:00	15:00	Registration	Foyer, ground floor (level 1)
13:00	15:00	Collection of academic dress	Charles Hallé Room, ground floor (level 1)
13:00	15:00	Photography	Barbirolli Room, level 2
14:45		Auditorium doors open	All floors (see tickets)
15:00	15:30	Musical programme	Auditorium
15:30	17:00	Ceremony	Auditorium
17:00	17:30	Celebratory drinks	Ground floor (level 1) and level 3 bars
	18:30	Return of academic dress	Charles Hallé Foyer, ground floor (level 1)

This page was last updated 20 March 2025. This is the FINAL VERSION.

Arrival and registration

The Bridgewater Hall doors will be open for entry from 13:00. 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 a map of the venue to help you find your way around. A preview of this is available to view here.

Where guest tickets are available to purchase on the day, please go to the Enquiries Desk to make payment by credit / debit card, we are unable to accept cash. All tickets are subject to availability and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

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 Charles Hallé Room on the ground floor once you have registered. Collection will be open from 13:00 and all hired items should be returned by 18:30 to the Charles Hallé Foyer.

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

Photography

The photography studios are located in the Barbirolli Room on level 2 and will be open from 13:00. The service will also be available for a short time 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 from the sales desk in the ground floor foyer 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 at 14:45 and the musical program will start. You and your guests should be seated at least 15 minutes before the ceremony begins. Your ceremony is expected to last approximately 90 minutes.

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 from the bars located on the ground floor and on level 3. Please note your bar location, indicated on your ticket envelope and arrange to meet up with your guests there.

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) 161 950 0000. Please note, you will NOT be able to make a booking or receive booking-related advice via this number.

Accessibility

The Bridgewater Hall is fully accessible. For full details, please go to www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk/your-visit/access/.

If you or any of your guests have additional seating requirements to be considered for the ceremony, please telephone the Ceremonies Centre on +44 (0)1908 541079 at least 4 weeks before your ceremony date.

Refreshments

Light refreshments are available to purchase from the Stalls and Circle bars. You may alternatively prefer to visit one of the numerous bars and restaurants within a few minutes’ walk of the Bridgewater Hall.

Cloakroom

The venue has cloakroom facilities located by the lifts on the Ground Floor.

Please note that large bags, pushchairs, buggies, etc. will not be permitted within the auditorium during the ceremony.

First Aid

If first aid assistance is required whilst at the venue, please report to a member of venue staff.

Security & emergencies

Please note it is at the venue’s discretion to enforce any security measures, such as bag searches.

Should the need to evacuate arise, an announcement will be made and venue staff will provide further instruction. There is increased security at this venue please go to www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk/your-visit/security/ for full details and a list of prohibited items.

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