Conferring of Awards 2026 - Waterford Campuses

Conferring ceremonies are taking place for Level 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 Major Awards Thursday, 29 and Friday, 30 October 2026. 

Levels 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 include the following: Higher Certificates, Degrees, Honours Degrees, Higher Diplomas, Postgraduate Diplomas, Masters Degrees and Doctor of Philosophy. 

The ceremony schedule will be published online as soon as it has been confirmed by Management. 

You will receive your postal invitation to the address we have on our student system approximately 2 to 3 weeks before the ceremony start date.

Conferring ceremonies are taking place at SETU Arena, West Campus,
Carriganore, Co Waterford, X91 XD96.

The SETU Arena is fully accessible. If you are graduating, please let us know of any issues you may have accessing the stage to receive your parchment and we will do all we can to assist.   

You can do so by emailing [email protected]  before Friday, 16 October 2026. 

Each Graduand may bring a maximum of two guests to the ceremony.  We appreciate that it is a very special time for you, however two guests per Graduand is the maximum that can be facilitated due to the capacity of the venue. 

1. All graduands are required to present themselves in academic robes and SETU colours.  Dress attire should be appropriate to the occasion e.g. formal business attire.
2. The official gown makers for SETU are Phelan Conan Limited*.    
3. To book your gown, you must register online at www.phelanconan.com
4. Under Institution, choose ‘SETU Waterford’, then choose the date of your ceremony and select gown type and then follow the instructions. 
5. You must book your gown by 12 midnight on Wednesday, 22 October 2025.
6. Pre-booked hire fee for Gowns is €33.  For those who miss the deadline payment on the day for Gown hire, the fee is €35.  Cash payment cannot be facilitated on the day – card payment only.  Payment can be made by scanning the QR code.  
7. Gown Return: your gown should be returned to the drop back point within 1 hour of the ceremony finishing.    
8. If you have any queries regarding your gown booking please review the Phelan Conan FAQ information page on their website:  https://www.phelanconan.com    

Gowns can be collected from the Marquee SETU Sports Arena, Waterford at the below dates and times, it is strongly advised to collect the evening prior to your ceremony to ensure you have sufficient time on the day of your ceremony. 

• Wednesday, 29 October between 4pm – 7pm OR Thursday, 30 October between 8am – 9.15am for those attending the 9.30am ceremony Thursday, 30 October
• Wednesday, 29 October between 4pm – 7pm OR Thursday, 30 October between 10am – 12pm for those attending the 12.30pm ceremony Thursday, 30 October
• Wednesday, 29 October between 4pm – 7pm OR Thursday, 30 October between 1pm – 3pm for those attending the 3.30pm ceremony Thursday 30th October
• Thursday, 30 October between 4pm – 7pm OR Friday, 31 October between 8am – 9.15am for those attending the 9.30am ceremony Friday, 31 October
• Thursday, 30 October between 4pm – 7pm OR Friday 31st October between 10am – 12pm for those attending the 12.30pm ceremony Friday, 31 October
• Thursday, 30 October between 4pm – 7pm OR Friday, 31 October between 1pm – 3pm for those attending the 3.30pm ceremony Friday, 31 October

All gowns must be returned to Phelan Conan as soon as possible after the conclusion of the ceremony.

Note: The cap is included in the order on collection of your gown. Non return of your gown may result in a penalty/fine.

Please be advised that the link to book your photography may not yet be open, but will be live on the website closer to the time of the ceremonies.    

The official photographers on the day are Lafayette Photography.  

 It is recommended that you book your photo session online with Lafayette, to prepay for your photographs.  The link to book your photo session is www.lafayette.ie  through the ‘Graduation Photography’ section.  Parchment frames will be available for you to purchase on campus after your ceremony as well as online through their Frame Shop An option will be available for you to filter on the frame size ‘SETU’ to find the correct size. 

Any queries in relation to photographs must be made directly with Lafayette and not with SETU.

All outstanding fees must be paid by Monday 12th October at 5pm.

Late payment of fees may result in your name not being included in the Conferring Booklet.

There is parking available at the SETU Arena, and parking attendants will guide you to a parking location. 

• Arrive 1 hour prior to the start time of your ceremony. 
• Make your way straight to the registration desk.
• Make sure your guests have their guest tickets.  Guests will need these to gain access to the Conferring Hall.   
• Get your photographs taken before your ceremony with Lafayette Photography. 
• Leave your guests at the Conferring Hall which is located on the ground floor just inside the main door.
• All Graduands are to make their way to the Registration/Check-in Desk at least 30 minutes before their ceremony commences to prepare for the ceremony procession. 
• You must remain in the correct assigned numerical order for the procession from the registration area to the Conferring Hall.  You will sit in this seat number in the hall which ensures that you will collect the correct parchment on stage.     
• Marshalls will guide you throughout the ceremony to collect your parchment on stage and return to your seat once you’ve collected your parchment. 
• Once the ceremony is over you will be guided out of the Conferring Hall to the main foyer where you can greet your guests, take photos and more.
• There will be light refreshments for you and your two guests to enjoy after the ceremony has taken place in the adjoining marquee. 
• You will need to return your gown to the gowning marquee at the back of the Arena then you are free to enjoy the rest of your day!

If you are unable to attend the ceremony on the day, you do not need to notify us of this.  Your parchment will be posted to the address we have on our student system for you after the ceremonies have taken place. 

If you wish to double check this information is correct, please do so before 1 October 2026 by emailing [email protected]

Yes, you can view the ceremony live on the SETU Website.  The link will be made available closer to the time of the ceremonies.