At each graduation ceremony there will be an opportunity for a graduating student to deliver a speech to their fellow graduands, guests and staff. 

This is an opportunity for graduands to share their experiences and thank those who have supported them during their time at Royal Holloway.

The speech delivered in the ceremony should last 4-5 minutes (approximately 350-700 words).

Each Student Orator will receive VIP seats for their guests and a certificate for recognition.

Graduands will need to register their interest by completing a short MS form. Students will be emailed when the application opens. 

Once the form has been completed, students will be given access to the Summer graduation 2026 moodle page. 

Afterwards, you must upload a short video (1-2 minutes long) to the Panopto submission box. The focus of the video should be an experience at Royal Holloway that has been transformational. Ideas for inspiration are below: 

• A turning point in your academic studies.
• A positive memory of an extra-curricular activity.
• A social experience with students from different backgrounds.

In your video, please make sure to reflect on how that experience enabled you to learn and grow.

You must submit your video by noon on Wednesday 10 June; otherwise, you will not be considered as a candidate for the judging panel. We will be unable to accept late submissions, so please plan your time accordingly to avoid disappointment.

Your video must be titled with your name and full course title.

Once submitted, both the content of your video and your communication skills will be evaluated. We are looking for speakers who can:

• Convey a positive message about their experience at Royal Holloway that is uplifting, thought-provoking and engaging.
• Communicate in an engaging way and demonstrate varied pitch and pace.

The Student Orator's speech should also be celebratory, fitting the occasion. Please ensure that your speech is inclusive and relevant.

Here is the criteria that will be used to evaluate all submissions.

All successful students will be contacted by email.

Please ensure you are free for a one-hour briefing session via MS Teams. This session will cover what to expect on the day and provide information on how and when to submit your final speech to the team. You will also be able to ask any questions.

Successful applicants will be expected to sign a consent form allowing the university to record and share their speech. 

A guide will be available on the Moodle page, offering examples of successful student orators and further guidance for your two-minute video.

If you would like further support for preparing your two-minute video, we recommend reaching out to book a 1:1 tutorial or drop-in with the Academic Skills (formerly CeDAS) team here.

Successful Candidates

A second Guide will be available for successful candidates to help you prepare your final speech.

If you would like further support preparing your speech or refining your delivery skills, we recommend reaching out to book a 1:1 tutorial or drop-in with the Academic Skills (formerly CeDAS) team here.