Grad Ball 2024
As the academic year draws to a close, it’s time to celebrate your incredible achievements and bid farewell to your university journey in style!
Grad Ball 2024 will take place on Saturday 8 June, from 20:00 – 03:00.
This year’s Grad Ball promises to be even more spectacular! Don’t miss out on the chance to create new memories and celebrate in style. Grab your tickets now and join us for a night to remember! 
FAQs
When are tickets on sale and what are the prices?
Early Bird tickets are on sale from 28 February for £23.00 + booking fee.
General release tickets will be on sale from 12 April for £28.00 + booking fee.
Final release tickets will be on sale from 3 May for £32.00 + booking fee.
All tickets are currently open to final-year students only. CLICK HERE to purchase your ticket!
What time do I need to arrive?
Doors open at 20:00 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 40 & 42 at Highfield Campus. Entry to Grad Ball is on the Crescent, opposite 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 on Level 4 (entry level) of Building 42 and Ground Floor for Building 40. There is a First Aid and Wellbeing Room available in Meeting Room 4 and Meeting Room 2.
What food is available?
As voted for by you, there is no food or drink included in your tickets. But we have street food available to buy at the Redbrick area, The Plant Pot and Below Deck Courtyard (near The Cube). Vegetarian and vegan options are available. We will also be running a tuck shop with crisps, sweets, ice-creams, etc should you be peckish!
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 03:00.
Will the Safety Bus be running?
Yes, the Safety Bus will be running from 20:00 until 04:00. 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
Smoking is only allowed in the open areas of the event – not anywhere inside Building 40 or 42.
Cup Levy
Last year, we experienced significant cup wastage at Grad Ball, with many reusable cups being incorrectly discarded or lost. To address this, we have decided to adopt a more sustainable approach this year. Upon purchasing your first drink, a £1 levy will be added to the drink’s price. However, as long as you return your cup to the bar when ordering a new drink, you will not be charged this fee again.
At the end of the night, you have several options for your cup. You can take it home, trade it in for a souvenir at The Locker, or deposit it in one of our voting bins. The bins will be labelled with different causes, and you can cast your vote by placing your cup in one. The most popular cause will receive funding from SUSU from the £1 levy.
The chosen charities are:
RAG core charity – Rose Road Association – offers respite care, community outreach, play schemes and SEN advice for disabled children and young adults in Southampton and Hampshire
Medscoc Core Charity – You Ok Doc? – Mission to change the perceptions of mental health for those working in the medical sector and to develop bespoke mental health supporters for doctors
Surfers against sewage – Campaign for a clean ocean, rivers and lakes for wildlife and people and turn back the plastic tide choking the ocean.
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.