Graduates are featured in national campaign highlighting benefits of going to university

Two University of Gloucestershire graduates have been selected for a national campaign highlighting the value of going to university, including increased career opportunities, social mobility, and the benefits for the economy and society.

Universities UK’s newly launched campaign features testimonials and case studies from selected graduates, including recent University graduates Hesham Abdelhamid and Ellie Allsopp.

Hesham, from an immigrant family from Egypt, was the first member of his family to attend university. He graduated with a BA (Hons) degree in Journalism and is currently studying a Master’s degree in Communications, PR and the Media.

Hesham is the co-founder of Cheltenham Pride and has launched a mentoring programme for working-class young people to widen participation.

Hesham (pictured left) said: “Going to university unlocked so many doors for me that otherwise may have stayed closed.

“My experiences at the University and the knowledge and skills I have gained there, have made such a positive difference to my life.”

Ellie’s time at the University provided her with valuable skills that helped to provide access to diverse post-graduation positions. She currently works as an Imaging Assistant at The Times, thanks to connections made through her degree program’s alumni page.

Ellie, who graduated with a BA (Hons) degree in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography, attributes her achievements to the support of her lecturers and the experience gained from the course programme.

“I would not have been able to achieve everything without the continued support of the lecturers at University of Gloucestershire,” she said.

According to the latest Graduate Outcomes survey, 96% of graduates from the University are employed or undertaking further study.

The Universities UK campaign includes data covering a range of topics including employment, salary, industry knowledge and skills, transferrable skills and the social mobility that going to university brings.