Graduations 2026: Boost for Carlisle businesses through university celebrations

Tourism, retail and hospitality businesses in the Carlisle area have a new opportunity to share discounts and offers with visitors who are heading to the University of Cumbria's graduation ceremonies. 

Around 4,500 people are expected to visit the area over 24-26 November for the ceremonies taking place at Carlisle Cathedral, providing a boost to the local economy. 

Accompanied by family and friends, those heading to the region include international students and many who have studied at partner education settings, off campus, on apprenticeships or via workplace settings across the country. 

They will be joined by those who have completed their programmes at University of Cumbria campuses in Ambleside, Barrow, Carlisle, Lancaster and London. 

Restaurants, places to stay and tourist attractions are invited to share their graduation week special offers with the university in advance of November's ceremonies. 

This will enable the University of Cumbria's Ceremonies team to pass information on directly to graduands and families planning their trips.  

The university is also going to be using social media to promote its upcoming graduations and offers. 

The University of Cumbria is ranked as the number one university in the UK for graduates who said their career on was track 15 months after graduation in a recent Daily Mail ranking. 

Recent Higher Education Statistics Agency data also shows that 97.5% of University of Cumbria graduates were in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating, with 88.4% in highly skilled roles. 

Local businesses can share details of their graduation week offers and discounts by email to news@cumbria.ac.uk by no later than 16 October.