Emmanuel College Arrangements for Taking Degrees
Once you have met all the academic and residence requirements for a Cambridge Degree, the degree is formally awarded at a ceremony in the Senate House. If you are taking an undergraduate degree (most often BA), this is usually awarded at General Admission which takes place at the end of June. Other degrees are awarded at one of eight other degree ceremonies which take place throughout the year. You do not have to be present for the degree to be awarded; you may apply for the degree to be awarded in absentia.
Details about General Admission will appear on this website during the Easter term each year. The following notes outline the procedure for the other degree ceremonies, when the PhD, masters' degrees and bachelors' degrees (including the BA) may be awarded.
The Congregation
Congregations are held in the Senate House on eight Saturdays throughout the year. Emmanuel usually elects to present candidates at four of these. See the Congregations page for the days on which Emmanuel will be presenting candidates in the current year. Usually the congregations begin at 2.00 pm, although (depending on numbers presented by other colleges) Emmanuel's turn may not come until mid-afternoon.
You are warmly invited to take lunch on the day in College.You may bring two guests free of charge - others are subject to a charge, and the total number of guests should not exceed three. We meet in the Parlour or the Old Library at 12.30pm for drinks; please arrive dressed in your ceremonial attire. We will have a brief rehearsal just before or after lunch. Guests (a maximum of three) will need tickets to gain admission to the Senate House. If you have not collected these already, they should be waiting for you at the Porters' Lodge.
Dress
(For dress at General Admission, please see the General Admission page).
A number of officials are employed in the Senate House to enforce a strict dress code. Your Praelector is penalized for any misdemeanours of appearance, so would be glad of careful compliance with the following codes. If you are dressed incorrectly, you may not be permitted to graduate.
Men: Plain black or dark grey suit (no pinstripes); plain white shirt (no pleats; flat collar preferred); white bow tie and bands; black shoes and black socks with the gown and the hood of the highest degree you have previously received from Cambridge University; or if you hold no previous Cambridge degree, the gown appropriate to your status,* and the hood of the degree to which you are proceeding. In no circumstances may gowns or hoods from any other University be worn. Jewellery must be modest.
Women: Plain black dress, or black suit (could be a trouser suit) or black skirt and plain shirt (white or black), with black or white cardigan if required, and sleeves must be long; black shoes and dark or neutral tights or stockings; the gown and hood of the highest degree you have previously received from Cambridge University; or, if you hold no previous Cambridge degree, the gown appropriate to your status,* and the hood of the degree to which you are proceeding. In no circumstances may gowns or hoods from any other University be worn. Jewellery must be modest; no double drop earrings, multiple strand bangles or flashy belts are allowed.
*If you do not hold a previous Cambridge degree, you should wear a ‘BA status’ gown if you are 23 or younger, an ‘MA status’ gown if you are 24 or older. These gowns are identical to Cambridge BA and MA gowns respectively, except that they lack ‘strings’ (narrow strips of fabric hanging loose inside the sleeves) [Statutes & Ordinances, pp.178-9].
Academical dress may be purchased or hired from one of three outfitters in Cambridge. Please take care that you have understood what gown and hood you need (as above), as the tailors have been known to often incorrect advice. In particular, do not confuse the black and white BA and MA hoods, which are only ever worn by former undergraduates of Cambridge, with the hoods for other Master’s degrees (MEd, MRes, MPhil, etc.). Full specifications of all gowns and hoods are given in Statutes & Ordinances, pp.190-2 (available at http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/so/pdfs/).
Accommodation
The College has limited facilities to accommodate you if necessary: a charge is made for bed and breakfast.
Notification
It is important that you make your booking for a Congregation in good time, and certainly no later than two weeks before the date of the Congregation at which you wish to take your degree. Please do so using this application form. Correspondence and any queries should be directed to Mrs Ann Shannon (ams34@cam.ac.uk, 01223 334244) at the College Office.