Disabled Access
Main campus
Disability support for graduands and guests
We want all students graduating to be able to enjoy this special day. If you or your guests have require support, please contact us in advance so we can agree on the best way to support you. You can find further helpful information on our 'what to expect on our graduation day' video.
Venue Accessibility
Graduation ceremonies take place in Bute Hall, located on Level 4 of the Gilbert Scott Building. Level 4 is accessible by staircase or lift for both graduands and guests.
Disabled Access for graduands
- Access for graduands to the Bute Hall (and the pre-ceremony graduand assembly points) is via the Randolph staircase. Lift access for graduands is located behind the South Front.
- Staff are available on the day to provide directions or assistance.
Disabled Access for guests
- Access to the Bute Hall for guests is via the main staircase or the turrets (stairs). Lift access for guests is available outside the University Gift Shop (A11 on the Campus Map) or from the Concert Hall Foyer.
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Tickets for the accessible seating area in Bute Hall can be requested by graduands in advance or on the day at registration.
- Staff are available on the day to provide directions or assistance if required.
Get in touch
Please contact the Graduation Team via the helpdesk below before enrolment closes to discuss your specific requirements with our team:
Blue Badge parking
Further information on Blue Badge Parking can be found on the University Car Parking webpages.
Dumfries campus (summer graduation ceremonies only)
Disability Support
The University encourages all students to attend their graduation ceremony. Clearly, we wish all those attending to be able to enjoy this special day and we would encourage anyone who might require disability support to contact the school office via dumf-admin@glasgow.ac.uk (or in person, in the Rutherford McCowan Building) in advance so that we can determine how we may best assist you on the day. The following brief description of the graduation ceremony is designed to highlight any extra support that graduands with special needs may require in order to attend the graduation.
The graduation ceremony takes place in the Crichton Memorial Church on the Dumfries Campus.
Graduands are assembled in the foyer area of the Rutherford McCowan Building before the ceremony and names are checked to ensure everyone is present. They will then join the procession to the Crichton Memorial Church where they may expect to be seated for as much as half an hour before the start of the ceremony. The graduation ceremony itself lasts approximately one hour and for much of the time graduands will be seated.
When it is time for their degrees to be conferred, students leave their seats and are directed to the front of the Crichton Memorial Church. During the time you are waiting for your degree to be conferred it may be necessary to stand for a few minutes. Degrees are conferred by the Chancellor (or his representative, the Vice-Chancellor) who sits on a platform at the front of the nave. The platform is reached by a step, there is then a short walk across the platform during which the Chancellor (or his representative, the Vice-Chancellor) will doff your head with a cap. You may be required to lean slightly forward for this to occur. Once doffed, you will proceed across the stage and down another step. You will then be required to walk back to your seat.
At the end of the graduation, the procession of academic staff and new graduates exits from the Crichton Memorial Church and processes back to the Rutherford McCowan Building for a group photograph.
If you think that you may experience difficulty in sitting for the duration of the graduation ceremony or standing or climbing/descending steps, or if you have any other concern about the arrangements for graduation (eg. if you have a visual or hearing impairment), please email dumf-admin@glasgow.ac.uk or pop by the school office in the Rutherford McCowan building.
Parking
All parking on campus is free; no permits are required.
Accessible parking is available at the entrance of the Rutherford McCowan Building, at the front of Maxwell House, and at Easterbrook Hall.
See more information about parking and how to get to the campus: