Conferments in absentia
The University holds in absentia ceremonies. This enables students who complete their studies outside the graduation ceremony periods to have their degree conferred. Degree certificates can be received without having to wait until the next degree ceremony.
Undergraduate and postgraduate taught students
Following the conferment of their award in absentia, all candidates will be contacted to confirm their award has been conferred at an in absentia ceremony. At this time candidates can tell us if they would like to receive an invitation to attend the next degree ceremony that they are eligible to attend.
Graduation ceremonies are held in July each year for undergraduate students and January each year for postgraduate taught students. We will contact all candidates conferred in absentia by email (university and personal email address held on the student record). You should check your student record to ensure your personal email address is correct. Emails will be sent from graduation@sheffield.ac.uk.
MBChB and BDS students
After the final board of examiners has met, in absentia conferments are held each July, prior to the summer graduation ceremonies. The University Seal is applied to the lists of students and these are forwarded to the GMC and GDC in order for them to grant provisional registration for the students to practise. These students are eligible and will already have been invited to attend the summer graduation ceremonies in the normal way.
Students exiting at bachelors level
Occasionally students are awarded a bachelors degree, rather than continuing on to the final year of a masters programme as expected. In this case, the degree will be conferred in absentia in early August and graduates will be able to receive their certificate and/or an invitation to the graduation ceremonies the following July.
Research students
Research candidates are eligible to attend graduation ceremonies in January or July each year. Candidates who successfully complete their course of study outside the cut off dates for inclusion in the next ceremonies (end of March for July ceremonies and end of September for January ceremonies) will have their award conferred in absentia. Students who have awards conferred in absentia will be contacted by email (University and personal email addresses) and will be able to receive their certificate afterwards.
At this time, you can tell us if you want an invitation to the next available ceremony. You should check your student record to ensure your personal email address is correct. Emails will be sent from graduation@sheffield.ac.uk.
Scheduled in absentia dates
- 6 August 2024
- 22 October 2024 (undergraduate students only)
- 31 January 2025
- 1 April 2025 (postgraduate taught students only)
- 5 August 2025
- 21 October 2025 (undergraduate students only)
These dates are subject to change. Further dates will be scheduled in due course.
Please email us with any queries regarding in absentia conferment of awards.