Published on 22 July 2021
The University of Sunderland has been closely following the latest government guidance on large gatherings and social distancing as it considers when a return to in-person graduation ceremonies might be possible.
Following the Government’s announcement, most of the remaining legal restrictions and guidance in England have now been removed. The University is therefore cautiously optimistic that it can begin planning for in-person ceremonies.
Winter 2021
For winter 2021 Sunderland graduates, the plan is to hold indoor and in-person graduation ceremonies between Wednesday 1st and Friday 3rd December 2021 at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland. Winter 2021 graduates are those students who complete their programme between August and the date of the ceremony. Due to capacity restrictions when running indoor ceremonies, the University is not able to offer catch-up events for the several thousand students from the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021, who were unable to celebrate their graduation at an in-person ceremony due to Covid-19 restrictions. This is planned for 2022.
Summer 2022 and catch-up ceremonies
The University's 2022 graduation ceremonies will be held in the week beginning July 11th at the Stadium of Light. These will be for students who complete their programme between the winter ceremony in November 2021 and the beginning of July 2022. The University also intends to hold catch-up ceremonies for graduates from the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021. These would take place during the week beginning July 4th 2022. The University plans to contact those classes early in 2022 to gauge interest in attending an in-person ceremony. By that stage, the University should have the assurance that in-person ceremonies can go ahead. In the meantime, students are being encouraged to become a member of the Alumni Association and register their contact details here – https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/alumni – to ensure the University is able to get in touch when necessary.
University of Sunderland in London
The University of Sunderland in London is hoping to hold in person graduation ceremonies in the spring of 2022 and these will include catch-up ceremonies for the classes of 2020 and 2021. More details will follow in due course.