New Members' Ceremonies
Find out more about our ceremonies for new Members, including upcoming dates and what happens at the ceremony.
Every year we hold several ceremonies to celebrate and welcome those who have become full Members of the College.
Below you can see the dates of all of our upcoming ceremonies, with further details of which cohort of Members each ceremony is for and when you can expect to receive an invitation. There are also answers to frequently asked questions about the ceremonies.
Please note, ceremony dates are subject to change and you should not book travel and accommodation until you have received confirmation from us that your place at the ceremony is secured.
Ceremony dates
Who are the ceremonies for?
Those who registered as Members from 13 January 2024 - 31 July 2024 have been invited to attend these ceremonies.
When will invitations be sent?
Invitations were sent by email on 1 August 2024.
Who are the ceremonies for?
Those who registered as Members between 1 August 2024 and January 2025 will be invited to attend these ceremonies.
When will invitations be sent?
Invitations will be sent by email in early January 2025.
Ceremony FAQs
Yes, you'll be able to choose your preferred ceremony date when you register, as long as the ceremony isn't fully booked.
Please register promptly after receiving the invitation email to ensure there are spaces available on your chosen date.
Instructions on how to register will be contained in your invitation email. Spaces at the ceremony are limited and will be offered on a first-come first-served basis.
All ceremonies will be held at the College's London office on Prescot Street.
Ceremonies take place in the afternoon, usually between 2-3pm but the exact programme for your ceremony will be confirmed in your invitation email.
Members are welcomed with talks from some of the College Officers and the Chair of the Psychiatric Trainees' Committee. During the presentation part of the ceremony, each Member will have their name called by the Registrar, they will then be presented on stage by the President, receive their commemorative scroll, and have a photo taken.
Photography at the ceremony will be provided by Tempest Photography.
They'll have drop-in studios before and after the ceremony for you to have pictures taken with your guests. You don't need to pre-book a slot with a photographer, just drop in when you're ready.
They'll also take pictures of members on stage during the ceremony and a group photo of all new Members at the end of the ceremony.
You can order photographs on the day or at any time after the ceremony directly from Tempest.
The dress code for the ceremony is lounge suits/day dress/national dress.
It's compulsory for Members to wear a gown and cap for the ceremony. You'll be sent a link to hire this once you've booked your place for the ceremony.
Yes, once you've booked a place at the ceremony we can provide an official letter confirming your booking which can be used as supporting evidence for your, or your guest's, visa application. Please contact MembershipServices@rcpsych.ac.uk to request a letter.
No, your Membership certificate will be posted to you within six to eight weeks of you registering as a Member. Membership certificates are not handed out at ceremonies, Members are instead presented with a commemorative scroll.
Please contact Membership@rcpsych.ac.uk if you have not received your certificate in the post.
Yes, you can defer your attendance to a future ceremony. You're only permitted to defer once, after which point it won't be possible to include you in a ceremony.
Please respond to your invitation email to let us know you'd like to defer and your preferred ceremony to defer to (i.e. spring or autumn).
We'll have a creche onsite for children aged 8 months - 6 years as they won't be permitted into the ceremony. Creche places are available on a first come first served basis. The creche is run by Little Hens Childcare and will be located on the first floor next door to the ceremony room.
Children under 8 months can be brought into the ceremony and an adjoining room will be available for unsettled babies.
Children over 6 years old are welcome to attend the ceremony as a guest.
Please note that the building is not child proof and parents must be responsible for the safety of their children at all times, except when children are in the creche.