Graduation to a Higher Degree

The information on this page relates to the Congregations which are held throughout the year for candidates taking higher degrees (M.A., M.Phil., M.B.A., Ph.D. etc) and those eligible, but unable, to attend General Admission. If you are graduating with an M.Eng., M.Math., M.Sci., Vet.M.B., B.A., B.Th., please see the General Admissions page.

Graduation Ceremonies

Graduands can choose to graduate 'in absence' (i.e. not present), or in person. The following dates in 2022 have been announced by the University, at which it is anticipated that Magdalene graduates who have recently been approved for their degrees may graduate.

Upcoming Graduation Dates:

Please note, due to the large number of graduands being presented at Senate House, the University has capped the number of people which Magdalene may submit on each occasion. As such, applications to graduate will be processed on a first-come-first-served basis. There is no cap on those wishing to take their degree in absence.

Celebratory Graduations

Due to the pandemic, those Members who graduated in absentia between 23/03/2020 and 01/04/2022 have the opportunity to return to Cambridge to 'celebrate' their degree at any of the congregations at which Magdalene is presenting students. Please note, those graduating in absence after 01/04/2022 will NOT be able to return to celebrate their degree as they will have had the chance to proceed via a 'normal' graduation without restrictions.

Celebrants can return to participate in any graduation ceremony at Senate House. Their degree will not be conferred upon them, as this has already happened, and instead different Latin phrasing will be used at the ceremony. To register to 'celebrate' a degree already conferred in absence, please complete the 'in person' application form (see below) and select 'yes' when asked if you are celebrating your degree on this occasion. 

Graduation Eligibility

1. You must have received a formal letter of approval from the University confirming the award of your degree, usually sent by Student Registry and
2. You must have paid your University fees.

Once you have completed these requirements you must decide which ceremony date you prefer and whether you will be taking the degree in person or in absence (also known as ‘in absentia’).

Application Process

To apply to graduate complete the relevant application form (links above) along with any required payment. The form and payment must be received by the application deadline above. We cannot guarantee addition to the list of candidates for the ceremony when applications are received less than three weeks before your chosen ceremony date.

NOTE: It is not possible to apply to graduate via CamSIS and all applications for Higher Degrees must be made via one of the above forms.

The name which appears on the degree certificate will be the name held by the University’s Student Records office; if you have changed your name (e.g. following marriage) and want your new name to appear on the certificate you will need to contact the Student Registry (if you are a current student) or Student Records if you have already left.  You will need to provide proof of the change of name.

Payment for Guest Lunches

If you choose to graduate in person and choose to attend the lunch in College with your guests, there is a £15 charge per guest lunch (graduand lunches are free of charge). Please pay for any guest places here.

Confirmation letter from the Praelector

Once the required checks have been completed you will receive a confirmation letter (via email) from the Praelector's Secretary. If graduating in person, this will contain further details of the schedule (so far as can be predicted) though graduands should note that timings and arrangements on the day will vary between each Congregation. This letter will be sent by email to the address supplied on your application form.

For standard Congregations (i.e. not the MA Day) the proceedings will start at 9am at the earliest, and for Magdalene graduands are normally concluded by 5pm. Any changes to the predicted schedule will be notified to graduands by email on the Wednesday before the congregation date in question. This is because the University only confirms the times at which different Colleges will be presented at the Senate House on the Tuesday before the ceremony.

Provisional Bookings

It is possible to make a provisional application to graduate before receiving your letter of approval from Student Registry, provided that the meeting of the University’s Postgraduate Committee, or other degree-awarding body at which your approval is discussed falls no fewer than five business days before the date of the congregation at which you wish to receive your degree.

In such cases special arrangements can be made to ensure that the relevant administration is carried out in time for your graduation. In order that such measures can be taken we advise you submit your application by the relevant ceremony cut-off date and explain your circumstances to the Praelector’s Secretary at congregations@magd.cam.ac.uk.

The College will not bear any responsibility should the required approval not be obtained in time and for any reason you are unable to proceed to your degree. The College will not be responsible for travel arrangements made before confirmation is received.

Dates of Faculties’ Degree Committee meetings, which approve degrees or make recommendations for approval to the Student Registry, and of the Postgraduate Committee, which normally approves degrees including the PhD, can be found on the University Degree approval and conferment website.

For advice about whether your approval will be issued in time, please consult your supervisor and/or the Secretary of the Degree Committee in your Faculty.

MPhil approvals are now dealt with by Degree Committees rather than by the Student Registry.