I just attended a friend’s graduation ceremony at the Complutense University of Madrid last week, and the atmosphere was absolutely amazing! I had attended my own undergraduate graduation back in my home country, but this one in Spain felt completely different, from the proceedings to the small details. Today, I want to share what a Spanish university graduation ceremony is really like.
Before the Ceremony: The Ritual Begins with a Gown
Similar to ceremonies in other countries, you wear a graduation gown in Spain. However, the most distinctive feature is the colorful sash, called a Beca in Spanish. The color of the Beca isn’t chosen randomly; it represents your faculty and field of study. For example, Law is typically red, Economics is orange, and Arts and Humanities is light blue. During the ceremony, a professor will personally place this sash on you in a highly symbolic moment called the ‘Imposición de Becas.’ The university will send out an email in advance with information on renting the gown and purchasing the Beca, so be sure to watch out for it.
During the Ceremony: Solemn, Heartwarming, and a Bit Long
The ceremony is usually held in the university’s grandest auditorium. Family and friends dress up for the occasion, making it a very formal event. The proceedings typically include speeches from university leadership, a valedictorian address, and a very special segment where a public figure or a senior professor is invited to be the ‘godfather’ or ‘godmother’ (Padrino/Madrina) of the graduating class and deliver a keynote speech. The most exciting part, of course, is when your name is called. The master of ceremonies announces each graduate’s name, and students go on stage one by one to receive their diploma from the Rector or Dean and have their Beca placed on them. The entire process can last two to three hours, a common duration for a Spanish university graduation, but it’s impossible to doze off because everyone is immersed in the solemn and joyous atmosphere that makes graduation in Spain so special.
After the Ceremony: A Prelude to Celebration and Feasting
As soon as the ceremony ends, the area outside the auditorium erupts into a sea of joy! Graduates toss their caps in the air and take tons of photos with family, friends, and professors. The Spanish place great importance on family, so graduation is a major event for the entire clan. You’ll see many grandparents in attendance, creating a truly heartwarming scene. In the evening, many departments organize a grand graduation dinner, which is the main event of the celebration. Everyone changes into formal evening wear to enjoy a night of fine food, wine, and dancing until dawn at a hotel or restaurant.
Here’s a summary of some of the small differences I observed between graduation ceremonies in Spain and those in my home country, which I hope will be helpful for students who are about to graduate.
| Feature | Spanish Ceremony | Ceremony Back Home |
|---|
| Distinctive Accessory | Colored sash (Beca) by major | Tassel (on the cap) |
| Family Involvement | Very high, entire family attends in formal wear | High, but often limited to parents |
| Key Moment | Imposition of the sash (Beca) | Turning of the tassel |
| Post-Ceremony Activity | Formal graduation dinner/gala | Teacher appreciation dinners, class gatherings |
In short, it’s a grand party for every graduate, a truly memorable part of the journey for anyone who has come to study and graduate in Spain. Wishing all students here a successful graduation and an unforgettable ceremony
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