Sheffield Hallam aims to make graduations more accessible with alternative ceremonies

Sheffield Hallam University has introduced alternative graduation ceremonies for current graduates in an effort to make them more accessible.

The alternative ceremonies have been designed for students who are neurodiverse or for any students who may have felt uncomfortable at a traditional ceremony.

Alterations included noise reduction, an optional cap and gown, and less formalities around sitting or standing.

Shannon McGoldrick, a psychology graduate who is autistic and suffers from anxiety, chose to attend the alternative ceremony and said that it made her feel “more included”.

She said: “The alternative ceremony was a bit quieter, a bit more relaxed and you’ve got time to decompress so you don’t get overwhelmed or overstimulated. I was still nervous, but I wouldn’t have missed this for the world, it’s once in a lifetime.

“It can be quite hard to feel like you have a place. So, feeling like the university sees you and has given you this opportunity is great. It’s allowing us to have the space where we can feel comfortable, and graduate like everybody else at university whilst accommodating for various needs that neurodivergent people have.”

According to Sheffield Hallam University, the relaxed graduation ceremony is thought to be “one of the first of its kind in the country”.

It follows in the footsteps of Nottingham Trent University, who offered a similar ceremony last year with adaptations including a smaller venue and optional traditional aspects to support its increasingly diverse student body.

Hallam’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Liz Mossop said: “Graduation is such a special time for students and their families, marking the culmination of years of hard work and dedication.

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“I feel immensely proud and privileged to be part of graduation celebrations for the first time as Vice-Chancellor here at Sheffield Hallam University.

“Graduation marks an official change in life stage for many and whatever their next steps it’s important we take a moment to celebrate and reflect on their achievements. I would like to wish all our students graduating over the next two weeks the best of luck for the future.”

This year has seen Sheffield Hallam’s biggest ever graduation with over 10,000 students involved.

Graduation ceremonies started on Monday 11th November and will take place daily until Friday 22nd Novemeber.