Frequently Asked Questions

May 2025 Commencement ceremonies will take place on May 9 and 10, 2025 at the Central Bank Center at Rupp Arena. Please visit the May 2025 page for more information.

December 2025 Commencement ceremonies will take place on December 19, 2025 at the Central Bank Center at Rupp Arena. Visit the December 2025 page for more information.

Yes! The Alumni Association hosts a Grad Gathering following each ceremony. Graduates and their families are encouraged to attend.

The digital Commencement program is typically made available the day before the first ceremony. You can access it directly from the Commencement website homepage.

Please email us at commencement@uky.edu or call 859-218-6699. Our office is located on the 1st floor of the Gatton Student Center, Suite A150.

Sometimes families know what their student is majoring in but not which College that major falls under at UK. You can visit www.uky.edu/academics to browse all programs and find your student's major. When you click on their major, you'll see the College it is affiliated with listed at the top of the page.

Convocation ceremonies are program-specific events where graduates receive individual recognition for their achievements. Commencement is a larger, university-wide celebration that involves individual name recognition.

Convocation ceremonies are organized and managed by each individual College's department. Specific details, such as dates, times, and participation requirements, may vary by College.  For the most up-to-date information regarding your college's convocation, please refer to the College's website or contact the listed College representative in the FAQ below.

Convocation ceremonies are managed by each individual College's department.  Please refer to the chart below to find the contact person for your College's Convocation. Please note that some College's may not have their own Convocations.

No, tickets are not required for guests to attend the graduation ceremonies. There is not a limit on the amount of guests who may attend. Entry is general admission and seating is first come, first serve. 

Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center welcomes guests using wheelchairs and other mobility devices. Accessible restrooms are also available throughout the venue.  If you don't have your own mobility device, there are local rental companies to assist you – we recommend contacting them in advance.

In addition:

• Closed-captioning and ASL interpreters will be available for all ceremonies, both in-person and on the live stream.
• Accessible seating and parking are available; however, they are first-come, first-served, so plan to arrive early (one hour before the ceremony). Please note that we cannot accommodate reserved seating requests for any seating areas.
• If a graduate requires accommodations, please refer to the graduate FAQ section.

Shuttle services will not run for Decemeber Commencement Ceremonies.

For May Commencement Ceremonies, shuttles services will run continuously from 8am-9:30pm on Friday, and 8am-1:30pm on Saturday from Administration Drive by Parking Structure #5 (Cornerstone Garage) to Rupp Arena​ at Central Bank Center.

The Cornerstone parking structure, located on 401 S Limestone, will also be open for those interested in shuttling from campus. Entrances to the parking structure are located on S Limestone and S Upper Street.

The Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center parking lot is located on West High Street and will have free parking for all guests and graduates. 

In an effort to ensure all graduates and their families have an enjoyable experience, you are asked to move your vehicle from the High Street Lot immediately after your ceremony concludes to ensure the next ceremony can start on time. 

A map of these locations can be found here.

Yes. The ceremony will be live-streamed to YouTube and the link will be available on our homepage the morning of Commencement. You can also view previous Commencement ceremonies located on the University of Kentucky's Youtube page.

During the ceremony, a QR code will be displayed on the jumbotron and screens throughout the arena. The QR code links to the University of Kentucky Commencement homepage, where the digital program can be viewed.

We expect each ceremony to last around 2 hours depending on how many students participate. This may vary from family to family as students will leave after walking across the stage, so you may not be at Rupp Arena for the full 2 hours.

You can find Rupp Arena's policy information on their website. Please be sure to reach out to their guest services team for specific questions regarding Rupp Arena. Bag and other item policies align with those for UK Basketball events, so following these guidelines will help ensure a smooth entry process for everyone.

Yes. Strobe lighting and streamers cannons will be used during the UK Fight Song.  Those with sensitivity to light or sound should avoid this section of the ceremony.  Please contact the commencement office for more details.  

No. Undergraduate, Graduate and PhD students who have applied for their degree are eligible to participate in Commencement. Students receiving only a certificate are not eligible to participate. 

No, there is no rehearsal prior to Commencement. Graduates should arrive at least one hour before their scheduled ceremony and will be given instructions on how to gather with their College after they check in.

To ensure we can best support you on your graduation day, please follow these steps:

• During Registration: While registering for graduation through Tassel, there will be a dedicated section for requesting special accommodations. Be sure to fill out this section thoroughly, detailing the specific accommodations you require. By "special accommodations," we mean things like assistance for mobility issues, visual or hearing impairments, or other physical needs.
• After Registration: If your accommodation needs change after completing registration,  contact commencement@uky.edu as soon as possible.  Since these accommodations often require advanced planning, early notification is crucial.

Students should arrive ONE hour before their ceremony for check-in. The entrance is located on West High Street and there will be signage directing students to check-in.

You will receive an email to register for Commencement once the registration window opens. Please visit our website to see the full process on getting registered to walk in the ceremony. Be sure to apply for your degree first or the ability to participate in Commencement will not be available to you.

You will participate in the College ceremony of your preference. Although you may only be participating in only one ceremony, you will still be recognized for both degrees in the Commencement program. If you graduating with dual degrees, you may ask for a second diploma cover before you cross the stage at Commencement.

No. You need to apply for your degree through myUK and work with your academic advisor. Registering for Commencement is a separate process and only confirms your participation in the ceremony.

All information regarding regalia can be found here.

Your name will be featured in the Commencement program corresponding to the term for which you applied for your degree. For instance, names for degree applications for Spring and Summer semesters will appear in the May Commencement program, while names for Fall semester applications will be included in the December Commencement program. If you have any questions about degrees or the application process, please contact the Registrar's office at registrar@uky.edu or 859-257-7157.

The Registrar's office processes and mails out degrees once they are conferred. Please contact their office via email at registrar@uky.edu for questions related to your degree.

The size of your diploma varies based on your degree type. Please refer to the following dimensions:

• Bachelor’s: 8 ½ x 11 inches
• Master’s: 8 ½ x 11 inches
• Doctoral/Professional: 12 x 15 inches
• Medicine: 14 x 16 inches

If you have specific questions regarding your degree, please contact the Registrar's Office.

We have partnered with Pro Pics to take professional portraits of all graduates during the ceremony. Photos will be available for purchase after the ceremony. There is no cost to have your photo taken and no obligation to purchase. If you would like to receive your photo proofs, please go to www.UniversityOfKentuckyPhotos.com to submit your information. If you have any questions regarding photos, please contact Pro Pics at support@propicsusa.com.

The Honors medallion is given to Honors graduates during the Honors Medal Ceremony, held prior to UK Commencement, each December and May.