Thousands celebrate success and achievements at Graduation Week

Ceremonies have been held throughout this week with students’ achievements recognised by lecturers, family and friends
Around 10,000 people were welcomed to the University of Plymouth for the annual Graduation celebrations

Thousands celebrate success and achievements at Graduation Week

Ceremonies have been held throughout this week with students’ achievements recognised by lecturers, family and friends
Eleanor Burfitt
Around 10,000 people have been welcomed to the University of Plymouth this week for the annual Graduation celebrations.
Throughout the week, 20 ceremonies have been held in the Methodist Central Hall where students’ achievements were recognised in the presence of their lecturers, family and friends.
They all then had the opportunity to attend a post-ceremony reception in the campus park, with the glorious summer weather only adding to the party atmosphere.
The ceremonies celebrated the achievements of undergraduate and postgraduate students from across the University’s arts and business, health, and science and engineering programmes.
They were also attended by students from many of its partner colleges, with the University working with partners to deliver degrees across the South West of England and right around the world.

This is without question one of the best weeks in our calendar and I would like to offer my own congratulations to all our graduates.

I’ve been fortunate to attend many of this week’s ceremonies and I’ve been surrounded by smiling graduates and immensely proud staff, family and friends. I’ve heard inspirational stories of how coming to Plymouth has helped someone follow their dreams, or supported them to overcome obstacles and succeed, and I want to wish our graduates every success in the next stage of their journeys.

Richard DaviesProfessor Richard Davies
Vice-Chancellor

During the ceremonies, the University has also awarded honorary degrees to five people who have made a significant contribution in their respective fields in Plymouth, the wider UK, India and Australia:
  • Jim Steer, internationally recognised as one of the leading figures in transport planning and economic development, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Science.
  • Kevin Nancekivell, who has gone from being a boyhood fan of Plymouth Argyle Football Club to a central pillar at the club, was awarded an Honorary Masters in Psychology.
  • Dr Malini Vijay Shankar, who has had a lasting impact on maritime governance, education, and the empowerment of women in a traditionally male-dominated field, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Education.
  • Michael Gallacher, a distinguished leader in the global maritime and logistics sector who is currently serving as Chief Executive of Ports Australia Honorary Doctorate in Business.
  • Brigadier Michael Tanner OBE, a distinguished Royal Marines officer who has made a lasting contribution to the United Kingdom’s defence capability, and to the city of Plymouth, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate.
A female student shaking hands with the Vice-Chancellor while receiving their degree
Around 10,000 people were welcomed to the University of Plymouth for the annual Graduation celebrations
A student poses with Vice-Chancellor Richard Davies on the graduation stage. Around 10,000 people were welcomed to the University of Plymouth for the annual Graduation celebrations.
 
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Read more about our 2026 Graduation ceremonies
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