Grad Ball 2025
As the academic year comes to a close, it’s time to celebrate your incredible achievements and toast to the unforgettable journey you’ve had at university!
Join us for Grad Ball 2025 on Saturday, 7 June, from 19:00 – 02:00, where an evening of glamour, excitement, and celebration awaits.
This year’s Grad Ball promises to be more spectacular than ever! Don’t miss your chance to dance the night away, create lasting memories, and celebrate in true style.
This year’s Grad Ball promises to be more spectacular than ever, with a newly introduced VIP Lounge! To find out more, please see below.
Important Information
When are tickets on sale and what are the prices?
Early Bird tickets are on sale from 25 February for £23.00 + booking fee.
General release tickets will be on sale from 10 April for £28.00 + booking fee.
Final release tickets will be on sale from 2 May for £33.00 + booking fee.
Fancy upgrading your ticket to VIP?
For just an additional £10, gain access to an exclusive VIP lounge, buffet, welcome drink, and entertainment.
Depending on availability, we may open tickets to other students.
What time do I need to arrive?
Doors open at 19:00 and last entry is 00:30, so make sure you arrive in good time!
What do I need to bring with me?
Please bring your digital Grad Ball ticket and student ID. If you are attending as a plus one, you will need to arrive with proof of age ID at the same time as the person you are accompanying as they will need to sign you in upon arrival. All our venues are cashless, so make sure you have a card or phone to pay with.
Where is Grad Ball taking place, and where is the entry point?
Grad Ball is at SUSU Building 42 on Highfield Campus. Entry to Grad Ball is on the Crescent, outside Building 40.
Can I bring a guest?
Once all final year students have had the opportunity to purchase a ticket, we will open up the availability to plus ones. Students will need to book the second ticket under their account and provide contact details on the day of the plus one. Students who require a carer, please email suevents@soton.ac.uk to arrange an additional ticket for the carer.
Is there a dress code?
The dress code is ‘Dress to Impress’, but wear whatever you feel comfortable in. Summer dresses, suits, tuxedos – whatever suits you!
Is there a cloakroom?
Yes, there is a free cloakroom available in the entrance to Piazza just off Redbrick.
Accessibility
All levels areas of the venue have step-free access available. Disabled toilets are Level 4 (Entry Level) of Building 42, with lifts to access all floors. There is a First Aid and Wellbeing Room available in Meeting Room 4, on Level 2.
What food is available?
Street food will be available to buy at the Redbrick area, The Plant Pot and Below Deck Courtyard (near The Cube).
Those who choose to purchase a VIP ticket will have access to a buffet.
Can I leave Grad Ball and come back later?
There are plenty of indoor and outdoor spaces to enjoy at Grad Ball, so hopefully you will not need to leave and re-enter this event. However, if you do need to leave the event and come back, please talk to one of our Event Staff who will be happy to help you. There is no return after 00:30.
I don't have a ticket, can I buy entry on the door?
Depending on availability, tickets may be available on the door.
What should I not bring?
Do not bring your own food, drink or alcohol; illegal drugs; potential weapons of any kind; any item that an authorised person considers dangerous, hazardous and/or illegal, or that may compromise or otherwise interfere with the enjoyment, comfort or safety of (or pose a hazard to) any person or security at the venue.
What time does Grad Ball finish?
Grad Ball ends at 02:00.
Will the Safety Bus be running?
Yes, the Safety Bus will be running from 19:00 until 03:00. Buses will leave from the Crescent area – near the entrance and exit points of Grad Ball.
Lost Property
Lost property will be handed to the cloakroom throughout the night, and available to collect from Reception in Building 42 the following week.
Smoking/Vaping
Smoking/vaping is only allowed in the designated areas of the event – not anywhere inside Building 40 or 42.
Cup Levy
The Cup Levy Scheme is a sustainability initiative aimed at reducing reusable cup waste at Grad Ball. It was successfully introduced last year and will be in place again this year. This initiative helps reduce waste and promotes a more sustainable approach to events. Your participation really makes a difference!
How does it work?
- When you purchase your first drink, a £1 levy will be added to the price.
- Keep your cup and return it to the bar when ordering another drink to avoid paying the levy again.
What can I do with my cup at the end of the night?
You have three options:
- Take it home as a keepsake.
- Trade it for a souvenir at The Locker.
- Donate it to charity by placing it in one of our charity voting bins. The most popular cause will receive funding from SUSU, with details on charities shared closer to the event.
Based on your feedback, we have tried to keep ticket prices as low as possible for Grad Ball 2024. As you can see by the breakdown below, last year a large portion of the event spend was on free food and drink and event theming. By removing these elements, we hope that the event is accessible to even more people than before!
Grad Ball 2023 ticket prices were:
Early Bird: £30 + booking fee
General Release: £35 + booking fee
Final Release: £40 + booking fee.