Booking and attending your Membership admission ceremony
Upcoming Member admission ceremonies
Saturday 26 January 2019
- Morning ceremony: 10:15am
- Afternoon ceremony: 12.45pm
- Additional ceremony: 3.00pm
Update on Saturday 26 January membership ceremony
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) is very focused on ensuring that our admissions ceremonies are as enjoyable, inclusive and safe as possible.
Having closely reviewed all options around this Saturday’s admissions ceremonies, and following feedback over the last 24 hours, we have taken the decision to put on an additional ceremony at 3pm to accommodate those attendees who wish to bring their children into the ceremonial hall itself. The needs of our members at these landmark events are a top priority for us and we are working flat out to organise the logistics in order to make this happen in a very short timeframe.
Guest restrictions will be increased to four for the third ceremony to accommodate this. Children of all ages will be allowed into the Nuffield Hall for all three ceremonies. For ceremonies one and two, a child will be counted as one of two permitted guests.
The College completely understands frustrations that arose and hope that this additional measure will mitigate any concerns raised. As I am sure you will appreciate, safety is always our primary concern and the initial decision around attendance at Saturday’s two initial admissions ceremonies was carefully reached following advice from our independent external fire assessors. It arose as a result of the unprecedented numbers set to attend this Saturday’s admission ceremonies. The proportion of candidates who chose to not attend the ceremony but receive their award remotely (admitted by absentia) is also lower than anticipated.
We had always put provision in place for the ceremony to be live streamed in the family room. Children are also invited to join the celebrations in the reception afterwards. This provision will remain in place for the first two admissions ceremonies.
An email has been sent to all attendees with details of the new arrangements. For more information please contact PWoodward@rcog.org.uk.
Before the ceremony
Confirm your attendance
You must confirm whether or not you will be attending the Saturday 26 January 2019 ceremony by completing the following:
Deadline: 5pm (UK time) on Friday 4 January 2019
Your completed forms must be returned and your membership fee paid by the deadline. Otherwise your admission to RCOG membership will be deferred. You also will not be eligible to use the designatory letters MRCOG until your formal admission to membership.
Unable to attend in person?
If you are residing outside the British Isles, or have circumstances which mean that you are unable to attend an admission ceremony in person, you can be admitted in absentia. Please select the "Membership Ceremony – In Absentia" option on the online booking platform.
If you wish to update your booking at a later date please log into the online booking platform with your log on (email) and password which will be sent via email.
Membership fee
Your membership fee for 2019 is dependent on your main country of residence.
- If you are based in the UK, your first instalment of £120.00 is due by Friday 4 January 2018.
- If you are residing outside of the UK, your fees will be charged in one instalment and must be paid by Friday 4 January 2018.
You can pay your fees online in the 'My Payments' section of the website or by telephoning our Finance Department with your card details on +44 (0) 772 6258 / 6310.
Gown hire
All Members are requested to wear a college robe during the Ceremony and these will be supplied on the day by Ede & Ravenscroft. The hire charge will be £39.00.
Please download and complete an Ede & Ravenscroft gown hire form (PDF 705kb). Please bring this form with you on the day.
Photography
Accredited photographers, provided by Success Photography, will be present on the day of the admission ceremony. We encourage members to submit an order online in advance of the ceremony via the Success Photography website.
The day of the admission ceremony
You are advised to arrive at least 1 hour before your scheduled ceremony in order to collect your robe, arrange photographs and enjoy your time at the College with your colleagues, family and friends.
You will then be called to be seated in the Nuffield Hall 15 minutes before the start of the ceremony (it may not be possible to admit you if you are late).
During the ceremony each Member will be called to the main platform by a member of Council where they will be presented with their certificate by the President.
An ‘on the stage’ photograph will be taken of every new Member with the President during the Ceremony, which can be purchased direct from Success Photography.
All Members and their guests are warmly invited to attend a drinks and canapés reception in the Reception Hall following the ceremony.
College ties and insignia will be on sale in the reception foyer.
Find out more
For more information, please read the Admission Ceremony FAQs.