Hundreds of successful students from the University’s four faculties collected their degrees across seven ceremonies, with undergraduates and postgraduates – including those on doctorates – celebrating their achievements.

Joining them were three honorary degree recipients, including locally-based international rugby player James Pritchard, who was awarded an Honorary Master of Science for his achievements in the sport.

Students from the University’s partner institutions across the globe were in attendance, travelling from afar as Oman, Singapore and Hong Kong to collect their awards.

The first day of ceremonies (Wednesday, 18^th Nov) centred on the University’s Business School, with graduands on courses such as Business Studies, Law and Public Relations collecting their degrees in front of the recently-appointed Executive Dean of the Business School, Debra Leighton.

Day two (Thursday, 19^th Nov), which awarded degrees to those in the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, saw the first honorary of the week, with Phil Pask receiving an Honorary Doctor of Science for his outstanding contribution to physiotherapy and injury treatment in Rugby. Fittingly considering the presence of Social Studies and Social Work students, the former Director of Adult Social Services in the London Borough of Sutton, Dr Adi Cooper, spoke as Guest of Honour.  

The University’s student nurses and midwives picked up their degrees to become registered healthcare professionals on the day, which also included a host of student prizes.

A further ten prizes were handed out on the third day (Friday, 20^th Nov), rewarding, among other successes, the highest achievers in the likes of Art and Design, English Literature and Film. 

Students from the faculties of Creative  Arts, Technologies and Science, and Education and Sport came together to bask in their success alongside Pritchard – who was part of the Canadian Rugby World Cup squad in 2015 – and fellow honorary Jack Mapanje, made an Honorary Doctor of Arts for his outstanding contribution to literature and poetry.

The final ceremony of the week also included a sombre note, as Charlotte Gregg, an MA Education student who sadly and suddenly passed away over the summer, was recognised and her certificate collected by her husband.

In his valedictory speech, Bedfordshire Students’ Union President Charlie Hughes encouraged graduates to ‘do what makes them happy’.

“You can’t put a price on a role where every day is different, where you meet new people and learn from those around you and where you get home and can’t wait to get back in the next day,” he said.

“There is nothing worse than not being able to get up in the morning because you hate what you do. Money is most definitely not everything.”