Step one – Confirm your details | University of Reading

Step 1 - Confirm Your Details & Express Your Interest

We will send your Expression of Interest email and Formal Registration invitation to both your 'contact' and 'home' email addresses as stored in RISIS. Please check your details are correct.

If you haven’t received emails from us after the times indicated on the key deadlines page, contact the Graduation Office at graduation@reading.ac.uk. Check your junk folder, and add our email to your safe senders list to avoid missing updates.

Once you receive your Expression of Interest email, log into the RISIS portal and access the Graduation screens via the Actions menu at the top of the screen, and then Graduates and Leavers, and then select one of the following options:

1. Attend

Expressing your interest to attend by the deadline gives you priority when requesting guest tickets during Formal Registration.

Inform us early of any disability or mobility issues so we can make suitable arrangements. We will try to accommodate requests but may not be able to after the deadline for students and for guests.

2. Graduate in Absence

If you won’t attend but still want your certificate, select Graduate in Absence.

3. Defer to the next set of ceremonies

If you are unable to attend this time, through personal choice or because you won’t have completed your programme and got your results in time select this option. This also defers production of your degree certificate.

4. Not eligible / Will not complete course

Select this if you’ve withdrawn or won’t graduate. We’ll update your records or direct you to the appropriate team for advice.

You need to complete the Expression of Interest process by the deadline specified on the key deadlines page.

Frequently asked questions

Can I change my mind after I have expressed my interest?

Yes. You can update your choice during Formal Registration or by emailing graduation@reading.ac.uk

If you switch from not attending or deferring to attending, we’ll try to accommodate you and your guest ticket request. However, due to capacity limits in the Great Hall, you may not be placed in your preferred ceremony.

I want to attend

If you want to attend your Graduation then you need to express your interest by Sunday 09 March, 2025. This will also mean that you will have priority when requesting guest tickets during the formal registration process.

You should let us know if you have any disability or mobility difficulties by Sunday 09 March, 2025 so we can make arrangements for you in your ceremony e.g. a ramp for access onto the stage, rather than the usual short flight of stairs.

What if I am not sure if I want to attend?

We recommend that you still complete the Expression of Interest process and indicate that you are planning to attend. This will ensure that we can accommodate you if you do decide to attend. You can always change your mind at Formal Registration.

I cannot log into my RISIS portal?

Current Students: please email dts@reading.ac.uk or visit the IT help desk them on the 1st Floor of the Library.

Past Students: Use your registered email address as your username together with the appropriate password. For more help, email the Student Information Systems (SIS) Team from your registered email.

What happens next?

After submitting your Expression of Interest, you’ll receive a confirmation email. Please ensure that you have received this confirmation, and keep it as evidence of completion, especially for guest ticket priority.

Your Formal Registration email invitation will be sent to you by the date specified on the key deadlines page.

When can I request guest tickets? Can I get the guest ticket number I filled in during the Expression of Interest process?

You can request a maximum of two guest tickets for your ceremony in the Great Hall during the Formal Registration process.

We also ask you to estimate how many total guests will join you in Reading during the Expression of Interest process, this aids in organising livestream rooms and celebration spaces across the London Road and Whiteknights campuses. This number does not reflect tickets for the Great Hall.

If you successfully completed the expression of interest process and received a confirmation email by the deadline given, you will have priority when requesting guest tickets during the formal registration process.

Why do I need to express my interest for Graduation?

The Great Hall at our London Road campus has limited capacity, and attendance varies yearly. The responses to the expression of interest process are used by the Graduation Team to create an accurate ceremony schedule and enables us to accommodate everyone who wishes to attend.

If you express your interest by the deadline given, you will have priority when requesting guest tickets during the formal registration process.

Next step: Formal Registration