We compared our Grad Ball to others across the country

Grad Ball this year jumps from controversy to controversy, with the announcement of S Club as the final headliner, another failure in the eyes of students.

Students faith in SUSU’s ability to run events they actually want to go to has been tested this year, from the Freshers Ball to this, the biggest event of the year.

However, to properly judge the event, it must be compared to other Graduation Balls being held up and down the country by other Union’s. To compare, these are just some of the events other Union’s are putting on for their graduates:

Loughborough:

A Casino-themed night, tickets also cost £50, and acts still haven’t been announced. However, there are free casino tables, slot machines, a free chocolate fountain, a fireworks display, free fairground rides and a photographer. Tickets also get you free entry for a night at a local club, and 20% off Starbucks in the week before the event.

Nottingham:

Hosted at Donington Hall, a 18th century manor house with 26 acres of surrounding land, tickets for this cost £37 for just the Ball, and £70 if you wish to have a three-course meal as well- both those tickets include transport to the venue.

Newcastle:

Their event is being held at Newcastle Racecourse. A £45 ticket gives you a free glass of champagne, a three-course meal and half a bottle of wine, as well as a night out.

Exeter:

Hosted at Great Hall and Devonshire House, a ticket will get you ‘drinks’, free shisha, access to casino tables, fairground rides, arcade games. Interestingly, Exeter have not splashed out on acts at all, with relatively unknown Session One being the only professional act. There is also a ‘Rockeoke’ company and Exeter’s own dance music society Beats and Bass will host one of the rooms. Tickets are £35.

Manchester:

Split between an ‘Evening’ session and then an after-party, Grad Ball there kicks off with a champagne reception and a three-course meal at the Palace Hotel, with a live band in tow. Then they go over the road to the Manchester Ballroom for an after-party, with artists from Manchester DJing the event. Unfortunately the ticket cost is no longer stated as the event is sold-out, but the after-party ticket is £10.

Kings College London:

Tickets for this bad-boy are £70, although without going to the Graduation Dinner it drops to £33-39. The Dinner is essentially the same as the rest of the other Uni’s. The “Garden Party” at the Middle Temple gardens has three distinct rooms. The price is probably affected as the event is in the middle of central London, a bonus in itself.

That is just a handful of the parties going on up and down the country. The prices are fairly similar throughout, but what is important is what your money is going on. It seems that other universities have put a lot more effort and secured much better deals for their students.

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Will our Grad Ball be a flop, or will SUSU pull it out of the bag? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!