Lighthouse, Poole - PL25B

Friday 14 November 2025

** Bookings for this ceremony will open on Tuesday 29 July from 11am**

From	To	Activity	Location
11:30	14:00	Registration	Foyer, ground floor
11:30	14:00	Collection of academic dress	The Sherling Studio, ground floor
11:30	14:00	Photography	Function Rooms 1 & 2, first floor
13:45		Auditorium doors open	First and second floor
14:00	14:30	Musical programme	Auditorium
14:30	16:00	Ceremony	Auditorium
16:00	16:30	Celebratory drinks	First floor
	17:00	Return of academic dress	Foyer, ground floor

This page was last updated 12 December 2024. The final version will be posted 2-3 weeks before the ceremony.

Arrival and registration

Upon arrival, please head to the Registration desks on 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 will be available to view here in the weeks leading to the ceremony.

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 these from The Sherling Studio on the ground floor once you have registered. Collection will be open from 11:30 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, please see ‘Preparing for your ceremony’

Photography

The photography studios are located in Function Rooms 1 & 2 on the first floor and will be open from 11:30. 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 in the Theatre foyer, first floor 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 13:45 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 on the first floor.

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)1202 280000. Please note, you will NOT be able to make a booking or receive booking-related advice via this number.

Accessibility

The Lighthouse is fully accessible. For full details, please go to www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/visit/access/.

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

Refreshments

There is a small cafe bar on the ground floor and teas, coffees and soft drinks are available from the bar on the first floor. However, due to the number of visitors expected at the venue on your ceremony day, you may wish to visit one of the local restaurants, cafes or bars nearby instead.

Cloakroom

The venue has limited cloakroom facilities on the ground floor. Please note that large bags, pushchairs, buggies, etc. will not be permitted within the auditorium during the ceremony.