Sligo and St Angelas Conferring

Thursday 30th & Friday 31st October 2025
Knocknarea Arena, ATU Sligo campus

Welcome to the Autumn Conferring 2025 for Sligo and St Angelas. You will find all the information you need for the day right here.

Your student email account will remain active until after Graduation, it is important you monitor this regularly for updates.

All Major awards are invited to conferring ceremonies, for other awards please see details here

Invitations

All graduands will be sent an e-invite via their student email addresses 3-5 weeks before the event. The invitation will include a link to an RSVP Form to indicate if you are attending or NOT attending. Please RSVP to ensure you receive your Parchment either on the day or by post.

Please check your spam/junk folders in case your invitation has gone in here.

If you do not RSVP and turn up on the day, we can’t guarantee you or your guests a seat.

Each graduand will be able to bring 2 guests. Wristbands will be provided for your guests which they must present for entry to the ceremony.  You can collect the wristbands when you collect your gown. 

Requests for additional guests in the Conferring Hall will not be facilitated. If empty seats are available before the start of the ceremony, additional guests may be accommodated by ATU staff.

The Ceremony will also be streamed live in an ‘overflow room’ where any additional guests you may want to bring can watch the ceremony in this room.

Access to Ceremony

The Knocknarea Arena has access facilities for people with disabilities which includes wheelchair positions.

Please let us know if you have any special requirements in advance of the ceremony so we are fully equipped to accommodate you on the day. Please email graduation.sligo@atu.ie in advance so that we can provide you with the services you require.

A Quiet Space will be available during the conferring ceremonies. This can be used by those experiencing sensory overstimulation / overwhelm, when needed. It will be accessible before, during and after the ceremonies while the building is still open. Signage will be placed around the venue to guide you to the Quiet Space or Staff in the area can assist.

Gowning Hire

Those graduating must present in the correct academic gowns, colours and hats for the Conferring.

~ Pre-book your Graduation Gown online now ~

Book and pay for your gown online at https://www.armstrongandoxford.com/gowning/studentgownbook  The cost to rent your gown is €40 if you book online.  Online bookings must be made by midnight on Monday 27th October at the very latest.  It is strongly advised that you book your gown online, otherwise it will cost €50 to book on the day. 

Gowns can be collected from 2 hours before each ceremony in a location in the main campus building – please follow signs and directions of staff on the day. Gown collection will also be available Wednesday and Thursday evening from 17:00 – 19:00.

If you cannot collect your gown personally, it is acceptable for a family member or friend to collect it in your name, provided they have proof of prebooking. Gowns must be returned to the same area 90 minutes after the ceremony.

For the convenience of ATU students, the University has competitively tendered for the provision of academic gowns. Students may choose to use gowns from alternative suppliers. Please ensure that you obtain the correct gown and colours for your university qualification.

Staff Gowns: The closing date for booking of staff gowns is Wednesday 15th October.

Photography

Atlantic Technological University have engaged Lafayette Photography for graduation photography. The University has competitively tendered for this provision.

For students who wish to avail of their service, it is recommended but not essential to pre-book your photography online through the “Graduation Photography” section. Lafayette Photography will have a studio set up on campus in the Hume Hall. These will be open from two hours prior to each ceremony, closing thirty minutes before your ceremony time. Studios will re-open again after your ceremony. You do not need your parchment for your photograph as a prop will be provided.

On the Day

Due to the number of people involved in the graduation ceremonies, it is important that you arrive early. You are requested to arrive on campus 1 hour in advance, to be gowned, checked in and seated 30 minutes before the start of your session. Members of staff will assist you.

You will be assigned a seat number on entry and will be seated alphabetically with your programme. It is very important to remain in the correct seat number to receive the correct parchment. Late arrivals may be conferred in absentia. We recommend that graduands do not take bags or coats with them to the ceremony.

During the Ceremony

Following the Head of College’s welcoming address, you and your fellow graduands will be guided from your seats by staff to line up at the front near the presentation area.

When your name is called, you should approach the centre front to receive your scroll holder. After you have collected your scroll holder, you should collect your parchment and return to your seat. Staff will provide guidance.

If you do not attend the ceremony, your award will be conferred in absentia, your name will still be called out on the day.

Order of Proceedings

• Academic procession
• The President convenes a meeting of the University for the purpose of conferring academic awards.
• The Head of College delivers a welcome address.
• The Head of Faculty presides over the ceremony.
• The Registrar presents the graduands.
• The graduands are called to receive their awards.
• The President confers the awards.
• The President delivers a conferring address.
• The academic procession and new graduates retire

After the Ceremony

When the ceremony has concluded, everybody stands while the President and members of Governing Body leads the platform party from the stage, which is followed by the academic procession and the new research degree graduates of the University. Again, University staff will provide guidance.

Health & Safety

Upon entering the Knocknarea Arena, please familiarise yourself with the nearest exit. You must exit from the building to the outside. Should you require medical attention, qualified and approved medical personnel are on duty throughout the ceremony. Finally, before entering the auditorium, please silence your mobile phone.

Doctoral and Research Masters Candidates

Congratulations on the successful completion of your Doctoral or Masters by Research studies at ATU Sligo. You will receive written confirmation outlining further details of a rehearsal time and further details of gowning etc.

Contact

Email: graduation.sligo@atu.ie or conferring.stangelas@atu.ie

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