Six perfect places for your Winter Graduation pic

3 min readNov 29, 2023

Your graduation day can be jam-packed with getting to campus, finding your gown, and making sure there’s time to celebrate. You might not have time to think about where you can get the best Graduation snaps. Don’t worry, we’ve compiled a list of the perfect festive photo ops on campus to help you capture your day in style.

Want to make sure your photographer is stood in the right place? We’ve used What3Words to map where your photographer should stand to get the best shot of you in your robes. You can download What3Words for iPhone or Android.

Clothworkers’ Court Archway

Always the most popular place to take photos, the Clothworkers’ archway is the perfect setting for your festive pic. The red brick and gold inlaid letters provide a great place for individual photos or group pictures with your friends and family. Our top tip to avoid the queue is to go before your ceremony, or when the next one is taking place.

A person stands under the distinctive Clothworkers Arch. A triangular arch with red and yellow brick and black railings either side.

What3Words: ///moves.trial.blues

2. The Christmas Tree

The Wavy Bacon is the classic graduation photo spot. Winter Grads are extra lucky as this already popular spot becomes even more iconic with its massive sparkling Christmas tree. Once you’ve waited your turn through the crowds of other grads, make sure to snap the perfect festive photo.

A large four-story Christmas Tree stands in the centre of campus, decorated in bright yellow lights and surrounded by a short white fence.

What3Words: ///track.jumps.cope

3. The Great Hall

Whilst getting snaps across campus is important, don’t forget to get one outside the very place where you’ll be graduating! A friends and family photo favourite, this iconic building is a part of the original Leeds College buildings and just like you, it has come a long way since its beginnings at Leeds.

A large crowd of people, including graduates in their green and black gowns, stand in front of the Great Hall, a traditional and tall building with windows front and centre.

What3Words: ///spared.clues.avoid

4. Leeds University Union

A place where you probably spent time going to activities, grabbing coffee and rummaging around for the best meal deal, surely the Union deserves a final send off, too.

After you’ve got your gown, grab a snap by Leeds Alumni’s flower wall and embrace being Forever Leeds! Then, head out to the precinct to get some pictures by the twinkling lights and warm up at the winter tent for the perfect magical setting.

Two students stand smiling in front of the Leeds University Building in winter coats with a little brown dog, who is wearing a bright green jumper.

Winter Tent What3Words: ///papers.allow.format

Outside LUU What3Words: ///props.curving.putty

5. Parkinson Steps

Look back on all the Bakery 164 sandwiches you’ve eaten and snap your pic at the most iconic building on campus. For decades, students have been donning their graduation gowns and taking a last walk up the steps of the Parkinson building to celebrate all they have achieved at Leeds.

Three students sit on the sandstone steps of the Parkinson building, laughing and talking to each other, enjoying a coffee.

What3Words: ///junior.zoom.trick

6. Outside your School/Faculty

You probably didn’t think about taking a snap outside your school, did you? Well, just in case you haven’t, we added it to our list. Go back one last time to honour all those long hours spent finding your way around or finishing that last assignment.

They might even have a Christmas tree of their own that you can get a picture with!

However and wherever you celebrate your winter graduation, have a wonderful day and remember that a part of your story will be forever Leeds.

Watch this TikTok showcasing all the top spots for graduation photo opportunities on campus!

Six perfect places for your Winter Graduation pic

Written by University of Leeds