Students from the faculties of Education & Sport and Health & Social Sciences crossed the stage in St Mary’s Church to collect their awards in front of proud family and friends.

The graduates were joined by Dr Peter Carter OBE, the former Chief Executive of the Royal College of Nursing, who was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science in recognition of his outstanding services to nursing.

Dr Carter, who now works as an independent healthcare consultant told the graduates: “Today is a great milestone in your journey through life. I hope your careers are as satisfying as mine is and that you can carry on working and learning new things for as long as you’re able to. Whatever career you go into, remember to look for the positive in everything, because if you look for the positive, you will find it.”

Bedfordshire’s Vice Chancellor Bill Rammell offered his congratulations to the graduates, saying: “You are justifiably proud of yourselves, but you could not be prouder than we, your teachers, your parents, relatives and friends, and your University, are of you.

“As you go out into the world as graduates, you will always carry the University with you not just as a line on your CV, but in the friends you have made, the knowledge and skills you have gained and the experiences you have had.”