Aberdeen University to charge families to attend graduations

Aberdeen students previously received two free graduation tickets for family or friends

The University of Aberdeen is bringing in ticket charges for families to attend student graduation ceremonies.

Graduates previously received two free tickets for family or friends. They will now be charged £13.20 per ticket.

The university said it was unable to continue funding the cost of the ceremonies, which are being held next month Aberdeen's P&J Live arena.

But student leaders said families who are struggling financially could miss out on the experience.

Aberdeen University Students' Association has called for a meeting with the university over the charges.

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Association president, Vanessa Mabonso Nzolo, said they had not been consulted about the changes.

"We want to know what possible concessions there are for students' families," she said.

"The university's slogan is "open to all", and that's something we are championing.

"We are trying to make sure that all our students have access to everything, and the student experience is equal.

"With these changes to the tickets, more expenses are piling up on graduations and that is really turning away from the value of education being open for all."

Aberdeen University said it was unable to absorb all of the costs of graduation celebrations

Previous graduation fees were scrapped by The University of Aberdeen in 2019.

Before then, students had to pay an administration fee of £45 to graduate in person, and £10 if they did not attend the ceremony.

In a statement, the University of Aberdeen said: "As the size of our ceremonies have grown, that challenge of delivering an event fitting of the achievements of our students, and to offer a space where they can celebrate in style, has also grown.

"From Winter 2023, a ticket cost in line with the sector average will be applied to guest tickets.

"Unfortunately, like many others in the sector, we are unable to absorb all of the costs of graduation celebrations on an ongoing basis."

Glasgow, Edinburgh, St Andrews and Stirling universities have confirmed they all continue to offer two free tickets for guests

The university said it was committed to ensuring that graduating students did not have to pay a fee.

It said that carers and children under two would still get ceremony tickets for free.