Graduation

Our summer graduations usually take place in July while our winter graduations take place in January.

Your Kingston University graduation is the perfect way to celebrate your achievements with family, friends and peers. The ceremony takes place at the Rose Theatre in Kingston town centre, and gown collection and receptions are held at other venues – see below for the addresses and details.

Plan your journey in advance, and don’t forget to consider transport options, parking availability and accessibility needs if required. With live streaming available, family and friends who cannot attend in person can still share the moment. The link to view the livestream will be published on this page closer to the graduation ceremony days. For those guests in person without tickets, the livestream will also be shown in the Rose Theatre studio and the Town House Courtyard.

There are three venues that we use on graduation days:

All these venues are located in Kingston town centre and are within walking distance from each other. Please note, none of our venues have parking.

A short speech, the Vote of Thanks, is given by a graduate during their graduation ceremony to thank the people who have contributed to their success. The three-minute speech is delivered in front of around 750 guests and graduates seated in the auditorium at the Rose Theatre.

There is one Vote of Thanks speaker at each graduation ceremony. The graduate should thank their fellow students, university staff (academic, technical, support and administrative), their families and friends as well as talk positively about their experience at Kingston University. In particular we are keen to hear how the Future Skills programme (for undergraduates) has developed their critical skills as they move on from studying and into the workforce. Speeches must remain neutral and should not include any political or religious content.

We are looking for one confident public speaker for each graduation ceremony.

You will be an inspiring graduate who has achieved success during your time at Kingston University. Perhaps you were a course representative or led a student society? You may have achieved academic excellence during your studies or overcome difficulties and have an inspiring story to share with all our guests, your friends, and fellow students. Or perhaps you just have a strong desire to thank everyone and fancy doing that on our stage! Whatever it may be – please apply!

Want to apply?

Applications to give the Vote of Thanks are now open! Please express your interest using this form. The deadline to apply is Wednesday 17 June 2026.