Diplomate ceremonies

Diplomate Ceremonies update

Invitations for the March 2026 ceremonies will be sent by email during the week commencing 12 January 2026. We are mindful that this is later than anticipated due to ongoing updates to our central database. We will be in touch to share a further update early in the new year.

In the meantime, we recommend monitoring your inbox for correspondence from our Membership Team regarding renewals or joining the college in order to ensure you are eligible to attend the ceremony.

Royal College of Surgeons of England 

Once you have passed your MRCS or FRCS examination, you will receive an invitation to join RCS England as a member or fellow within 4-6 weeks. After you join as a member or fellow, you will receive an email within 1-2 weeks about your membership, and you will be allocated to a first ceremony, subject to availability. Your qualification will be officially granted by RCS England at the next Council, after payment.

For other qualifications, such as DOHNS, please note that you need to pay a completion fee once you have passed your exam to have your qualification officially granted.

If you are unable to attend the ceremony that you have been invited to, we can either post your certificate to you, or you will be invited to the following one. We send invites 3-4 months ahead of a ceremony so please keep an eye on your inbox and book as early as possible to avoid disappointment. 

The Faculty of Dental Surgery

Once you have passed your dental examination you will receive an invitation to join the Faculty of Dental Surgery as a member or fellow. After you join as a member or fellow, your qualification will be officially granted, and you will be invited to attend a ceremony. Please note we run dental examinations twice a year, in the spring and autumn.

In case you are unable to attend the ceremony that you have been invited to, we can either post your certificate to you, or you will be invited to the following one. We send invites 3-4 months ahead of a ceremony so please keep an eye on your inbox and book as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

All eligible diplomates will receive a booking link via email. All tickets are allocated on a first-come first-served basis.  

All diplomates need to book a ticket, which is free of charge. If you do not book a diplomate ticket you will not be able to attend this ceremony. If you need to arrange travel, leave, or a visa, please book your ticket first and cancel if you are no longer able to attend. 

If you are no longer able to attend your ceremony, please contact the RCS England Events team so we can reallocate your ticket as soon as possible. 

If you require a visa to attend your presentation ceremony, please book your diplomate ticket and then get in touch with the RCS England Events team and we will provide you with an invitation letter, which will include key information to support your application.

Guest tickets are sold separately from Diplomates tickets. Once you have secured a place at the ceremony, you will be invited to purchase guest tickets.

Main ceremony hall 

Diplomates are entitled to initially book a maximum of two guest tickets for the ceremony hall. We hope to be able to release additional tickets in the run-up to the event. 

• Adult: £35
• Child (Under 16): Free

When deciding whether to bring a child as your guest, we ask you to consider the formal nature of the event and the fact that guests will be required to sit for a long period of time. Therefore, the ceremony hall may not be particularly suitable for babies or young children.

We do offer a livestreaming room where children can watch the ceremony in a more relaxed environment. We also have a designated area for baby feeding. Please ask a member of staff on the day, and we can make a baby area known to you. 

Please note that children must be accompanied by an adult. Regrettably, we are unable to provide crèche facilities.

Ceremonies get booked up quickly, so please book your tickets as soon as possible. If you would like to be added to the waiting list, please contact the Events team.

If the ceremonies are all fully booked, diplomates will then be invited to the next ceremonies.

Below you will find an approximate timetable for the ceremonies:  

Morning ceremony

• 9am: Registration 
• 10.30am: Doors open 
• 11am: Ceremony of Presentation of Diplomates 
• 12 noon: Celebratory reception

Afternoon ceremony

• 1pm: Registration 
• 2.30pm: Doors open 
• 3pm: Ceremony 
• 4pm: Celebratory reception

Please note that the timings of future ceremonies may vary, and the above timings are a guide. Please see your ceremony confirmation email for further details. 

All diplomates are required to wear a gown and a mortarboard. Gowns are ordered directly from Ede and Ravenscroft, booking links will be sent to you once your ticket has been purchased.

Diplomates and guests' suggested dress code is professional. 

Diplomates seats are reserved. You will be assigned a seat number that corresponds to the order of the procession in which you appear in the programme. 

Guests' seating is unreserved. 

Please advise us in advance if you or any of your guests have any access or seating requirements, e.g. wheelchair access/hearing loop access. 

For information on our new building at Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London, please look at the Visit the College page.  

For those attending a ceremony at the College, please note there is a cloakroom, an area available for prayer and a designated area for baby feeding.  

Please note on some occasions, we hold ceremonies at other locations. If you are attending a ceremony that is not being held at Lincoln’s Inn Fields, you will receive the above information via your confirmation email. 

Ceremonies are livestreamed on YouTube.

Prior to your ceremony, you will receive a link to share with family and friends who wish to watch it, and you will be able to use the same link to access the recording in the future.

You will receive a refund if you cancel seven days prior to your ceremony.

To cancel you must email the Events team.

If you cancel your booking, you will be invited to attend our next ceremonies.

Yes. If you do not wish to attend a ceremony, please contact the Membership team, and we can arrange for your certificate to be posted to your home address.