Dear AA graduates and graduating students,

Please find below details of this year’s AA Graduation and Prize Giving Ceremony, which will take place at 3.00pm on Friday 24 June 2016 in Bedford Square Gardens (BSG). Please read through the below information. Every year we experience a wonderful turn out, and look forward to celebrating and congratulating all our graduates on their efforts.

ON THE DAY

• 12.30pm Ticketing for *entry passes to Bedford Square Gardens outside 32-34
• 12.30pm Individual photographs available from Ede & Ravenscroft 32 FFF
• 2.15pm Students go to BSG North Gate entrance (*entry pass required)
• 2.30pm BSG South Gate entrance opens to guests (*entry pass required)
• 3.00pm Graduation ceremony begins
• 4.30pm Students gather for 2016 Group Photo
• 4.45pm Reception – drinks and canapés
• 6.30pm Projects Review Opening

TICKETING
Confirm your attendance and book your tickets. Booking now open via private link sent to you directly by email from the Membership and Alumni Office. All graduating students are entitled to two complimentary guest tickets. Additional tickets can be purchased for £30 each, with no limit on the number of additional tickets per graduating student. Should you need a refund get in contact with the Membership Office.

Entry Passes**
On the day of graduation the ticketing desk will open at 12.30pm and will be located on the pavement outside 32-34 Bedford Square. All graduating students are to collect their entry passes by presenting their online booking (print out or email). The booking confirmation will contain one barcode per ticket for each graduating student and for each guest.

If you require a confirmation letter for visa purposes please contact Clement Chung (clement@aaschool.ac.uk) or Nina El Touny (nina.el-touny@aaschool.ac.uk) in the Coordinators Office for more information.

A live stream of the ceremony will be available for friends and relatives who are unable to attend, at www.aaschool.ac.uk/live

DRESS CODE
Academic gowns are not required, however smart or national dress is expected. Should the weather forecast be unfavourable, please ensure you bring an umbrella as you will be queuing outside the garden, in the open air.

THE CEREMONY
At 2.15pm all graduating students are required to gather at the garden’s North Gate entrance and make themselves known to the undergraduate and graduate school coordinators.

The South Gate entrance to Bedford Square Gardens will open for guests at 2.30pm. Guests will not be allowed to enter without first registering at the ticket desk by the gate. Seating will be first come first served.

Following the speeches and presentation of awards and prizes, students will proceed to the entrance of AA Building 36 Bedford Square for the group photograph. Complimentary drinks and canapés will be served in the gardens until 6pm. Please make your guests aware that in line with UK licensing laws no drinks will be allowed outside the garden gates.

The end of year Projects Review Exhibition will open immediately following the ceremony at 6.30pm.

INDIVIDUAL PHOTOGRAPHS
Academic photographers Ede & Ravenscroft will be available to take Individual photographs of graduates and guests from 12.30pm. They will be based in 32 Bedford Square First Floor Front and will have graduation robes on hand for individual photos. Copies of individual photos will be available to order from Ede & Ravenscroft directly. To pre-register for your individual photos follow this link, noting “Architectural Association” as the Institution and “Friday 24 June” as the date.

GROUP PHOTOGRAPH
All graduates will be taken for the Group photograph in front of the building immediately following the ceremony. This will be available to pre-order online at the point of booking graduation ceremony tickets, or available to purchase after the event. The group photo is professionally taken by Ede & Ravenscroft, printed at 18″ x 8″ (45cm x 20cm) and mounted ready to be framed.

GRADUATION DVD
A Graduation DVD will be available to pre-order at a discounted rate online, or available to purchase at the standard rate after the event. The DVD captures the whole day in high definition and includes interviews with staff and students, snapshots of family and friends enjoying the event and the entire ceremony complete with image capture of each student as they receive their certificate on stage.

STUDENT ASSISTANTS NEEDED
If you know any non-graduating students interested in assisting on the day please ask them to contact the Membership and Alumni Office. They will be paid the standard student rate, and will be entitled to attend the ceremony at no cost.

DISABLED FACILITIES
If wheelchair access is required, please contact graduation@aaschool.ac.uk in advance to make the necessary arrangements.

TOILET FACILITIES
Toilet facilities will not be available in the Gardens. The toilets within the AA buildings will be available for use. Please ensure you advise your guest of this in advance.

PARKING FACILITIES
There is an NCP Car Park on Adeline Place and limited Pay & Display bays in Bedford Square. Please advise any driving guests that restrictions on resident bays are enforced 24/7.

Should you require any further information about the Ceremony, please contact the AA Membership and Alumni Office 10am-6pm Monday-Friday on 020 7887 4076 or at graduation@aaschool.ac.uk

Best wishes,
AA Membership and Alumni Office