A SCOTTISH university is facing questions over plans to bring in ticket charges for families attending student graduation ceremonies.
Graduates at the University of Aberdeen previously received two free tickets for family or friends – but they will now be charged £13.20 per ticket.
The university said it was unable to continue funding the cost of the ceremonies, which are being held next month at Aberdeen’s P&J Live arena.
However, student leaders have said families struggling financially could miss out on the experience.
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The Aberdeen University Students’ Association has called for a meeting with university bosses over the charges.
Association president Vanessa Mabonso Nzolo said they had not been consulted.
She said: “We want to know what possible concessions there are for students’ families.
“The university’s slogan is ‘open to all’, and that’s something we are championing. We are trying to make sure that all our students have access to everything, and the student experience is equal.
“With these changes to the tickets, more expenses are piling up on graduations and that is really turning away from the value of education being open for all.”
Previous graduation fees were scrapped by the university in 2019. Prior to this, students had to pay an administration fee of £45 to graduate in person and £10 if they did not attend the ceremony.
In a statement, the University of Aberdeen said: “As the size of our ceremonies have grown, that challenge of delivering an event fitting of the achievements of our students, and to offer a space where they can celebrate in style, has also grown.
“Unfortunately, like many others in the sector, we are unable to absorb all of the costs of graduation celebrations on an ongoing basis.”
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Glasgow, Edinburgh, St Andrews and Stirling universities have confirmed they all continue to offer two free tickets for guests.
The university said it was committed to ensuring graduating students did not have to pay a fee.
It said carers and children under two would still get ceremony tickets for free.
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