General Admission

General Admission

Graduation is a moment to mark your academic success alongside friends, family, and guests.

Congregations (degree ceremonies) are held throughout the year, the late June Congregations are set aside for what is called General Admission, at which most undergraduates proceed to their first Degree at the end of their final term.

General Admission – 4 July 2025

General Admission for Magdalene students will take place on Friday, 4 July 2025. This ceremony is primarily for undergraduates receiving their first degree at the end of their final term.

Students graduating with the following degrees are invited to attend:

  • Bachelor of Arts: B.A.
  • Bachelor of Theology for the Ministry: B.Th.
  • Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine: Vet.M.B.
  • Master of Engineering: M.Eng.
  • Master of Mathematics: M.Math.
  • Master of Natural Science: M.Sci.

How to apply

All eligible students will be enrolled for General Admission by the Academic Office.

If you are in your third year and plan to continue for a fourth, you must email the Academic Office at tutorial@magd.cam.ac.uk once your continuation is confirmed to be removed from the graduation list. Students cannot proceed to a fourth year if they have already graduated.

Timetable for General Admission

The timetable below is provisional and is subject to change:

7:00 am: Light breakfast available for purchase in College Bar
8:00 am: Roll Call in Second Court
8:30 am: Graduation photograph
8:45 am: Briefing by the Praelector
9:30 am: Procession to the Senate House
9:45 am: Guests due at the Senate House
10:00 am : Graduation ceremony begins
11:00 am: Master’s Garden Party in Second Court
11:00 am: New Library and Robert Cripps Gallery open to visitors
12:15 pm: Leaver’s service in Chapel (run twice due to limited space in Chapel).
12:45 pm: Leaver’s service in Chapel (run twice due to limited space in Chapel).

A photographer will be available in the Fellows' Garden from 11:00 to 15:00 for personal and group portraits.

Guest Tickets

Graduands do not require tickets for themselves. Each graduand is allocated two guest tickets, with a waiting list available for those requesting additional tickets.

Guests should note that access to the Senate House gallery on the first floor is challenging; floor tickets should be requested for elderly or disabled guests. Wheelchair access is available on the ground floor. If guests require wheelchair access, please inform the Academic Office. Degree congregations are not suitable for children under five, and gallery tickets cannot be issued to children under ten.

Guests will only be admitted to the Senate House on presentation of their ticket and must arrive by the time advised.

Dress for General Admission

If you choose to graduate in person at the Senate House, you must wear the appropriate Cambridge academical dress for the ceremony.

Gown and Hood

Undergraduates and affiliated students: You must wear your undergraduate gown from Magdalene College and the hood of the highest degree you are about to receive.

Postgraduate candidates: Either the gown or hood of your highest existing Cambridge degree or, if not already a Cambridge graduate, a BA or MA status gown and the hood of the highest degree you are about to take.

What to wear at graduation

Graduation is a formal occasion, and a strict dress code is enforced. If it is not followed, you may not be allowed to graduate. The Praelector can provide further guidance on appropriate attire.

Graduands Dress - Option 1

  • A dinner jacket or black, very dark grey or very dark blue lounge suit. These must be dark enough not to contrast obviously with a black gown.
  • A plain, long-sleeved, collared, white shirt.
  • Formal black shoes. Sandals, trainers, open-toed shoes, slingbacks (heeled or flat) or boots are not permitted.
  • Unpatterned black or very dark grey socks. Unpatterned black, nearly-black, or natural coloured hosiery.
  • White bow-tie and bands must be worn.

Graduands Dress - Option 2

  • A black, very dark grey or very dark blue skirt suit or trouser suit. A dark skirt can be worn without a jacket, or a dark, long-sleeved dress can also be worn without a jacket. These must be dark enough not to contrast obviously with a black gown.
  • A plain, long-sleeved, white shirt or blouse (unless a long-sleeved dress is worn).
  • Formal black shoes. Sandals, trainers, open-toed shoes, slingbacks (heeled or flat) or boots are not permitted.
  • Unpatterned black, nearly-black, or natural coloured hosiery.
  • A white bow-tie and bands may be worn (optional) but if they are worn they must be worn with a properly collared white shirt.  If a white bow-tie and bands are worn with trousers they must be worn with a matching jacket.

A black cassock may be substituted for a dark suit, skirt or dress in either Dress One or Two, but it must be worn with either a white bow-tie and bands or a clerical collar and bands.

Graduands must present a formal and tidy appearance. Conspicuous jewellery, body jewellery, and unnatural hair colours are not permitted. Clothing with polka dots, stripes, or patterns is unsuitable for the Senate House ceremony. Any belts worn must be plain black, very dark grey, or very dark blue to match the accompanying trousers or skirt.

In addition to the required gown and hood, graduands must adhere to the dress code. The Proctors have stated that those who do not comply will not be permitted to graduate. Exceptions for religious or cultural reasons must be approved in writing in advance. For further details, visit University Graduations Dress Code.

Academical dress hire

You may hire or buy academical dress from the following Cambridge suppliers:

Ede & Ravenscroft
70-72 Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1RJ
T 01223 861854
E customerservices@academic-services.co.uk
W www.edeandravenscroft.com

Ryder & Amies
22 King’s Parade, Cambridge, CB2 1SP
T 01223 350371
E enquiries@ryderamies.co.uk
W www.ryderamies.co.uk

If you have any questions please contact the Academic Office.