Matriculation
Matriculation ceremonies are held annually to welcome new students to Durham University. Matriculation is the term used to describe students' formal entry into the University and is described in the University's Regulations as "the act of placing a student's name upon the matricula or roll of members of the University."
Matriculation ceremonies will be held in Durham Cathedral on Wednesday 2 October 2013.
Timetable
All undergraduate and postgraduate students from each College/Society will attend the same ceremony and ceremonies are spread across the whole of the day. A timetable of colleges to ceremonies will be published nearer the time.
The Venue
The ceremonies are held in Durham Cathedral as the University does not have a venue sufficiently large to hold the numbers of students involved. The ceremonies are, however, completely secular.
Student Processions
Students will be guided by their College/Society to gather before processing through the city to the Cathedral for their ceremony and will enter the Cathedral from either Palace Green via the Galilee Chapel or through the Cloisters.
Student Dress
Students are encouraged to dress smartly to attend this formal ceremony. Undergraduate students from some Colleges wear black undergraduate gowns but students from other Colleges do not. Postgraduate students may wear a plain black gown or appropriate academic dress if they wish but the wearing of robes is not compulsory.
The Ceremony
Matriculation ceremonies last approximately 30 minutes. The ceremonies start with the entrance of the academic procession which comprises members of University and College academic, administrative and tutorial staff, senior members of the University, the Dean of Durham and the Mayors of Durham City and Stockton-on-Tees.
The Dean of Durham welcomes the students to the Cathedral and the Registrar, or representative, calls upon one student from each College present to sign the Matriculation Book on behalf of all new members of their College. The Vice-Chancellor invites students to 'share the hand of friendship' and shake hands with each other and then makes a speech before concluding the ceremony.
Exit from the Cathedral
At the end of the ceremony, students leave the Cathedral as directed by University marshals and exit onto to the same side of the Cathedral from which they entered.
Photography
The Cathedral has a policy of no photography within the Cathedral itself, this includes the use of digital and video cameras and mobile telephones. We ask all students, staff and guests to respect the Cathedral policy.
Further Information
The Matriculation Ceremonies are organised by the Ceremonies Unit. Students should address their queries in the first instance, however, to the Master or Principal of their College/Society.
Guests of students will not be formally invited to Matriculation however if any family or friends of students are in Durham and wish to see this ceremony they are welcome to come along and take any spare seats which may be available at the back of the Cathedral once all students have been seated but please note that seating cannot be guaranteed.
