Graduation Stall Coordinator

Graduation Stall Coordinator

Are you currently studying with the Open University and looking to gain leadership, teamwork and retail experience while being part of the excitement of graduation day? As a Graduation Stall Coordinator, you’ll play a key role in supporting Open University graduation ceremonies by leading a team of volunteers at the Open SU merchandise stall.

Would you like to volunteer for just one day?

This is a fun, rewarding, in‑person, volunteering opportunity where you’ll meet graduates, their families and friends, promote the work of the Open SU, and help graduates celebrate this major milestone.

Find out more about what it is like to volunteer at a graduation ceremony in the video below:

About the role

Graduation ceremonies are inspiring occasions that mark the culmination of years of hard work for OU students. Graduation Stall Coordinators oversee and support a small team of Graduation Stall Volunteers who run the Open SU merchandise stall at ceremonies across the UK and Ireland.

You’ll be responsible for organising your volunteer team before and during the ceremony, acting as the main point of contact between the Open SU and the Open University Ceremony Co‑ordinator, and ensuring that sales and records are managed accurately on the day. We provide all the information, training and support to do this.

Funds raised through the sale of OU branded merchandise support the Open University Students Educational Trust (OUSET), which provides study‑related grants to OU students experiencing financial hardship.

Key responsibilities

As a Graduation Stall Coordinator, you will:

Lead and support a small team of Graduation Stall Volunteers

Communicate with your team ahead of the ceremony using the volunteer communications channel

Act as the main point of contact for the Open University Ceremony Co‑ordinator and the Open SU

Help set up and close down the merchandise stall

Promote and sell OU and Open SU branded merchandise

Process payments and manual orders

Monitor sales throughout the day

Complete required paperwork and end‑of‑day reconciliation

Remind your team to submit expenses and feedback after the ceremony

Please note: Due to the responsibilities of this role, Graduation Stall Coordinators must remain on the stall and cannot process at the ceremony. If you would like to process graduates, please apply for the Graduation Stall Volunteer role instead.

Time commitment

One full day per ceremony (starting and finishing hours determined by ceremony time please allow at least one full day e.g 9am-5pm, but this does vary between ceremony and location).

Availability is required before and after ceremonies on the day to support graduates and their guests purchasing merchandise.

You may apply for one or more ceremonies if you meet the eligibility criteria.

Training and support

Training is mandatory and begins at least two to four weeks before a ceremony.

You will complete:

Online self‑learning (approx. 1 hour) covering:

GDPR (keeping personal data secure)

Safeguarding (protecting young people and vulnerable adults)

PREVENT (preventing extremist radicalisation)

Equality Duty (what it is and who it protects)

Graduation Stall‑specific training

One 90‑minute live MS Teams training session, with a choice of morning, afternoon or evening sessions.

You will also be asked to familiarise yourself with key Open SU policies, including Health & Safety and Sustainability.

All coordinators and volunteers use an online volunteer communications channel and app to receive venue details and stay in touch.

Only trained and fully onboarded volunteers will be able to volunteer at a ceremony.

Recognition

After volunteering, you will:

Be asked to provide feedback on your experience.

Receive a goody bag by post.

Be able to request a digital certificate of volunteering.

Expenses

Be able to claim up to £70 travel expenses and £20 subsistence per ceremony

Please note that overnight accommodation is not provided.

Eligibility

To apply for this role, you must:

Be a member of the Open University Students Union (Open SU) - Members of the Open SU are defined in Section 11 of the Students Union Articles of Association*

Live within approximately 50 miles of the graduation venue.

Agree to the Open SU Volunteer Policy and volunteer within the Volunteer Agreement.

DBS check: Not required.

Benefits to you

Develop leadership, teamwork and employability skills
Build confidence using transferable skills
Experience an inspirational day that can motivate your studies
Meet new people and have fun while volunteering

Benefits to others

Help graduates celebrate their achievements

Promote pride in being part of the OU community

Support OU students facing financial hardship through OUSET fundraising

Location

Location	Date and Time of ceremonies	Applications close
Poole	Fri 20 Nov 2026 14:30	Sunday 25 October
London	Wed 25 Nov 2026 10:15 and 14:15	Sunday 25 October

City	Venue	Ceremony date	Applications close
Manchester	Bridgewater Hall	Friday 5 March 2027	Sunday 31 January 2027
London	Barbican Centre	Saturday 20 March 2027	Sunday 14 February 2027
London	Royal Festival Hall	Tuesday 6 April 2027	Sunday 28 February 2027
York	York Barbican	Friday 16 April 2027	Sunday 14 March 2027
Poole	The Lighthouse	Friday 7 May 2027	Sunday 4 April 2027
Birmingham	Symphony Hall	Friday 21 May 2027	Sunday 18 April 2027
Dublin	Croke Park	Thursday 27 May 2027	Sunday 18 April 2027

DBS required

Applications for Autumn 2026 ceremonies open on 1 June 2026 and close on Sunday 25 October 2026.

Applications for Spring 2027 ceremonies open 1 January 2027.