A Guide for Guests – How to Follow the Conferment Ceremony?

Arrival and Entry

Entry: Through the doors on Aleksanterinkatu (Aleksanterinkatu 5) 
Accessible entry: Through the inner courtyard at Yliopistonkatu 2. Access to the cloakroom via the inner courtyard, with lift access to the upper floor.
Cloakroom: Free of charge and supervised during the ceremony. Queues may form – please arrive in good time. 

Seats for Guests Invited by Graduands

NB! These seats cannot be reserved in advance. Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

We have calculated that there should be room for two guests per graduand in the Great Hall, in addition to the named companion.

• Please arrive well before the ceremony begins. We ask that you arrive at the Main Building no later than 10:30.
• Queues may form at the cloakroom.
• Entry to the Great Hall is subject to availability – we cannot guarantee seats for everyone.
• At the door to the Great Hall, guests will be asked to ensure they are not carrying large bags or outdoor clothing.
• Staff will guide guests to available seats. Please follow the instructions of the staff – not all empty seats are available, as some are reserved for participants arriving in the processions.
• Some seats for guests may be located in the upper gallery.
• Please be seated before the doors close at 10:45. Latecomers will be directed to the Streaming Hall.

Joining the Procession from the Great Hall

After the ceremony, guests who have been seated in the Great Hall may, within the Main Building:

• Join the procession to the Ecumenical Church Service at Helsinki Cathedral
• Join the procession to the Secular Ceremony at the National Library
• Remain at the Main Building to await the graduands' return, or depart

Restrictions in the Great Hall

• Photography and filming: Not permitted in the Great Hall during the Conferment Ceremony. There is plenty of time to take group photographs at the Main Building before the ceremony begins, or after the processions return at approximately 14:15.
• Fragrances: The use of strong perfumes or colognes is not permitted. Guests will be seated close together for several hours – please be considerate of those with fragrance allergies.
• Bags and backpacks: Leave these in the supervised cloakroom for the duration of the ceremony as they cannot be brought into the Great Hall. Drinks are also not allowed. 

Accessibility

The Great Hall has stairs, which means that accessible participation may require special arrangements depending on the seating location.

• Accessible entry: Via the inner courtyard at Yliopistonkatu 2, with access to the cloakroom and lift to the upper floor.
• Wheelchair spaces: The Great Hall has space for two wheelchairs. A space can be reserved by email.
• Please get in touch: If you have known mobility limitations, we ask that you contact us by email well in advance.
• Alternative: The Streaming Hall is fully accessible – please consider this option.
• Accessible toilet facilities are located one floor below the Great Hall.

Seats for Guests Other Than Those Invited by Graduands

Named companion (the companion registered in the Lyyti registration system): A seat in the Great Hall has been reserved for you – your place is guaranteed.

Invited guest participating in the University procession: A seat in the University sector of the Great Hall has been reserved for you. You will enter the hall as part of the academic procession.

Guest invited by the University: A seat in the Great Hall has been reserved for you – your place is guaranteed. Please be seated before the doors close at 10:45.

Companions of master graduands (wreath weavers): 

• You do not proceed directly to the Great Hall – instead, you join the academic procession.
• Assembly point: Southern corridor of the Main Building on the morning of the Conferment Day at 10:40
• Schedule: Master graduands and their companions must arrive at the Main Building no later than 10:00.
• The procession is led by the official wreath weaver and previous official wreath weavers.

Companions of honorary doctors, jubilee masters, jubilee doctors, and doctoral graduands (sword whetters):

• Arrival: You may proceed directly to the Great Hall and take your seat. Seats have been reserved for you in the Great Hall by group. Further details will be provided at the rehearsal on Thursday. It is important that you sit in the correct group's designated area, as you will be guided from these seats to join the procession as it exits the hall.
• Schedule: Doctoral graduands and their companions must arrive at the Main Building no later than 10:15.
• Doors close: Please be seated no later than 10:45 – the doors to the Great Hall will close at that time.

Dress Code for the Great Hall

All guests entering the Great Hall must observe the guest dress code:

• Tailcoat with black waistcoat, or black full-length evening gown — OR — black suit or shorter black formal dress (ankle- or knee-length)
• Dress uniform is permitted for guests – national costume is not appropriate for the Conferment Ceremony
• Outdoor clothing, drinks, and large bags are not permitted in the hall. A small black clutch bag is appropriate.
• Doctoral guests and companions may bring their doctoral hat. The hat is carried on the left arm and placed on the head when the conferrer places their own. All doctors remove their hat for the singing of Maamme-laulu.
• Only the doctoral graduands being conferred at this ceremony, the conferrer, the master of ceremonies, and the head marshal carry swords. Previously conferred doctors do not carry a sword.

The University Main Building has one or more halls — opened as needed — where you can follow the Conferment Ceremony via a live stream. If one hall fills up, we will open additional rooms as required.

The Streaming Hall is particularly suitable for:

• Families with children – the Streaming Hall is recommended for those attending with minors
• Guests with mobility limitations – the hall is fully accessible
• Those who need to move around – you can freely access the WC facilities and stretch your legs during the lengthy ceremony
• Larger groups – if your party is too large to be accommodated in the Great Hall
• Latecomers – if you miss the closing of the Great Hall doors

Arrival and Entry

• Entry: Aleksanterinkatu 5 – the same entrance as for the Conferment Ceremony
• Accessible entry: Yliopistonkatu 2, via the inner courtyard
• Cloakroom: Free of charge and supervised. Queues may form – please arrive in good time.
• Signage: The Streaming Hall will be clearly signposted in the Main Building on the morning of the Conferment Ceremony.
• Arrive early for the Streaming Hall too! There is no fixed arrival deadline for the Streaming Hall as there is for the Great Hall, but arriving early ensures a good seat. Movement in the corridors of the Main Building will be restricted during the Conferment Ceremony and some internal doors will be closed. Latecomers turned away from the Great Hall will be directed to the Streaming Hall.
• No subtitles: The stream is broadcast live from the Great Hall and does not include subtitles.

Dress Code for the Streaming Hall

The dress code for the Streaming Hall is less strict than for the Great Hall. Guests are nonetheless asked to dress smartly and in a manner befitting a formal celebratory occasion.

Joining the Procession from the Streaming Hall

After the ceremony, guests in the Streaming Hall may, within the Main Building:

• Join the procession to the Ecumenical Church Service at Helsinki Cathedral
• Join the procession to the Secular Ceremony at the National Library
• Remain at the Main Building to await the graduands' return, or depart

The easiest way to follow the conferment festivities is to watch the live stream on YouTube.

• Stream: The Conferment Ceremony will be streamed on the University of Helsinki's YouTube channel
• Time: 11:00
• Stream link: Will be published on the conferment website and the University's YouTube channel no later than the morning of the Conferment Ceremony
• No subtitles: The stream is broadcast live from the Great Hall and does not include subtitles
• No registration, no dress code – open to everyone