November 2009 Degree Congregation
Friday 27th November 2009 at 10:30 a.m.
This guide will help to answer any questions you may have about your Degree Congregation.
How to Book Your Place
Student Invitations
Invitations to the University of Bolton's Degree Congregation are sent out to all final year students at the beginning of October. Invitation packs are sent to students home addresses, it is therefore essential that students keep the University informed of any changes.
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Venue
The Congregation will be held at the Victoria Hall, Knowsley Street, Bolton BL1 2AS. The Hall is approximately 15-20 minutes walk from the University.
Please note that the University and Victoria Hall have a 'no smoking' policy which must be observed.
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Application
(Please read this very carefully)
If you wish to attend the Degree Congregation you should complete the application form enclosed within the Invitation booklet and return it to the Conferment's office by the date stated. As all places will have been allocated, it will not be possible to process any replies received after that date.
Due to the formal nature of the proceedings, we ask that children under the age of five do not attend.
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Guest Tickets
There will be a charge of £10.00 per guest ticket. There is no charge for your own ticket. At this Congregation there is no restriction on the number of guest tickets.
The cost of a ticket includes a seat at the Hall, a Bucks Fizz Reception and a souvenir brochure. Please enclose a cheque made payable to the "University of Bolton" with the application form. Your cheque for your initial allocation of guest tickets will be cashed straight away. No refunds for guest tickets will be issued once they have been sent out.
Tickets will be posted to the address given on your reply form therefore it is essential that you notify us of any subsequent change of address.
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Special Requirements
The University will make every reasonable effort to accommodate special requirements at the congregations.
Please inform us in writing when returning your application form of any special requirements you may have e.g. wheelchair user, mobility problems, blind/partially sighted or deaf/hearing impairment.
Should your guests require a wheelchair space reserving, please indicate on the application form.
We will contact you to discuss arrangements before the graduation takes place. Meanwhile, shoud you have any queries regarding special needs requirements, please telephone Diane Reynard on (01204) 903400.
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Academic Dress
All graduands are entitled to wear academic dress and in our past experience nearly every student chooses to do so. This can be hired from Wm Northam & Company Ltd either online at www.wmnortham.co.uk |or if you do not have access to a computer, using the Call Centre 0870 2401852.
If ordering academic dress, you need to order a gown, hood and hat. Queries regarding academic dress should be made directly to Wm Northam & Company Ltd.
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Photography
The University's official Photographers, Northams Photography will be present at the University before and after the ceremony. In addition, a photograph will automatically be taken (whenever possible) as you are presented on stage during the ceremony.
If you wish to pre-book your photographs, please visit Northams website www.wmnortham.co.uk| or alternatively you can place an order over the telephone 0870 2401852. Should you decide not to pay in advance it is still possible to pay at the sales desk on the day.
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Celebration Lunch
A celebration lunch is available in the Eagle Restaurant. A menu together with a booking form is enclosed within the Invitation booklet. If you wish to reserve a table you should return the booking form with a separate cheque made payable to the 'University of Bolton'. This cheque will also be cashed straight away and refunds not made until after the ceremony has taken place.
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Bucks Fizz Reception
A Bucks Fizz Reception will be held at the University should you and your guests wish to attend. Please indicate on your reply from if you wish to attend.
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Accommodation
For information on where to stay in Bolton contact:
Bolton Metro: Telephone: 01204 334321
Internet Guide: www.visitbolton.com|
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What Happens on the Day
The Congregation
Graduands must register for the ceremony and collect a seat number between 8:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
It is very important that you and your guests bring your tickets with you, as it will not be possible to issue duplicates on the day.
Guests do not have seat numbers and may sit anywhere in the Hall except in seats reserved for University guests and students.
Admission to the Hall is by ticket only.
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Photography/Robes
A Photography service will be available at the University between 8:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. and after the Congregation until 4:00 p.m.
Robes will be available at the University between 8.00 a.m. - 9.45 a.m. Gowns should be returned by 4.00 p.m.
Your robe acknowledgement form (if ordered) from Wm Northam & Company Ltd should be produced when collecting your robe.
You should allow yourself sufficient time to collect robes, have photographs taken, reach the Victoria Hall and be seated at least fifteen minutes before the start of the Congregation.
The correct form of dress to accompany an academic gown is for men a dark suit, collar and tie and for women a dark suit, skirt or trousers with a white blouse, or a dark dress. Alternatively national dress may be worn.
You may need an appropriately placed button or a safety pin to attach the hood over your gown. Hat sizes can be obtained by measuring the circumference of your head one inch above the eyebrows, level round and state measurement in inches or centimetres.
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The Congregation
A seat will be reserved for you in the centre of the Victoria Hall. You are requested to sit with cap off until, at the appropriate time during the Congregation a member of staff requests a particular row to stand, to walk to the right-hand side and put caps on. He/She will guide you to the platform and your name will be read out by a member of staff. You will then be presented and will leave the platform by the steps opposite to resume your seat.
Note: the allocation of seats has been carefully planned to ensure that the presentations take place in the correct order. Once you have been shown to your place, it is essential that you remain in your seat until it is your turn to be presented.
The Congregation is approximately 1½ hours long depending on the number of students being presented.
We ask that all students and guests remain in their rows until after the procession has left the Hall.
Please note that all mobile phones should be switched off during the ceremony.
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Travel Information
Car Parking
The following public car parks are close to the University:
Grosvernor Street Public Car Park (BL3 5DJ)
(Mecca Bingo/Grosvenor Casino) Moor Lane, Bolton
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1 hour 0.50
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1-2 hours 1.00
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2-3 hours 2.00
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Over 3 hours 3.00
Blackhorse Street (BL1 1SU)
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1 hour 0.80
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1-2 hours 1.40
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up to 4 hours 2.00
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up to 10 hours 3.00
Octagon (APCOA) (BL1 1TP)
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1 hour 1.20
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2 hours 2.20
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50p for every additional hour
Visitors Guide
The University of Bolton Visitors Guide is available on our website www.bolton.ac.uk/AboutUs/Resources/VisitorsGuide.pdf
Local Bus and Rail Information: Tel: 0161 228 7811
National Rail Enquiries: Tel: 08457 484950 (24 hours)
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Certificate
How do I obtain my Degree/Award Certificate?
Certificates will be posted out to students' home addresses following the Degree Congregation.
Alternatively, you can advise the address to which you require your certificate to be posted to by emailing tmc1@bolton.ac.uk| and give your name, student I.D. number, date of birth and the name of the course you have completed.
Overseas students studying at the University are required to confirm the address to which they wish their certificate to be posted out to. Certificates will be held at the University until confirmation of an address has been received.
It is essential that you advise the University of any change to your home address. You can update your address electronically by visiting the University's website at www.bolton.ac.uk |select Current Students, select My Details, then select Student Record.
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