At each graduation ceremony there will be an opportunity for a graduating student to deliver a speech to their fellow graduands, guests and the academic 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 be asked to complete an application form on MS teams indicating why they would like to deliver the speech at the summer graduation ceremonies.

Once the form has been completed, students will be given access to the Stage 2 Student Oration (Winter 2024) Moodle page. These uploads will be done in bulk each week, so please check moodle at the end of the week to see that you have been provided access.

Stage One will close on Friday 8 November at 12:00pm (midday).

For stage two, we ask applicants to upload a short video (1-2 minutes long). 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 Stage Two video by 12:00pm (midday) Monday 11 November 2024 or you will not be submitted as a candidate to the judging panel. We will be unable to accept any late submissions, so please ensure you plan your time appropriately to avoid disappointment.

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, inclusive and thought-provoking
• Communicate in an engaging way and demonstrate varied pitch and pace

The Student Orator speech should be uplifting and celebratory to fit the occasion. Please ensure that your speech is inclusive, engaging, and relevant. Further assessment criteria will be available here once applications open.

For guidance on how to prepare for Stage Two, a link will be available here soon where you can find a range of advice and support.

Unsuccessful candidates will be informed via email by latest Friday 22 November. Due to the expected high number of applications, we will be unable to provide individual feedback to unsuccessful candidates.

All successful students will be contacted by email by latest Friday 22 November 2024.

Your final speech will need to be emailed to the Graduation Team by 12pm Monday 9 December 2024. Final speeches will be run through a generative AI and plagiarism checker, and we will ask you to rewrite your speech if it is found to be not be your own original work.

Please ensure you are free for a one hour briefing session via MS Teams on Wednesday 27 November 2024. This session will cover what to expect on the day and provide you with an opportunity to ask any questions.

Successful applicants will be expected to sign a consent form for their speech to be recorded and shared by the University. 

A Stage Two Guide will be available on the Moodle page that offers 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 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 CeDAS team here.