Your graduation guide
Ceremony Five: Friday 24 November 2023 at 10.30pm
School of Creative Industries
School of Computing and Engineering
Welcome to the 2023 University of Gloucestershire Graduation Ceremonies
Welcome from the Chancellor
I am delighted to congratulate each and every one of you as you graduate today.
We recognise that this is a hugely important and special occasion for you, your families and your friends who join us today to share the celebration of your achievements, and as you embark on the next phase of your journey.
As a University, we are proud to support all of you. We hope that you have enjoyed your time with us, and would like to thank you for your contribution to University life.
We hope that as you start your next chapter, that your relationship with our University will continue, and we look forward to hearing where your next steps will take you.
So, on a day of celebration, we hope you will enjoy this very special occasion together. Well done, and congratulations to you all.
Lord Michael Bichard
Chancellor
Find out more about the Chancellor’s Charity initiative’
Welcome from the Vice Chancellor
Today’s ceremony marks a defining moment for each of you, our students.
It is the moment at which each one of you receives public and formal recognition for everything you have achieved during your time at University of Gloucestershire. For most of you, it marks the end of your time with us, and is the stepping stone to the next stage in your lives and careers.
Today is a wonderful moment for us all to come together – students, families, staff and friends – to celebrate. We are celebrating the results of all the hard work that you have put into your studies, gaining knowledge, insight and understanding in your chosen subject. We are celebrating the capabilities you have developed, skills you can apply productively in your careers, and life-affirming experiences you have had. We are celebrating your growth in human terms – your richer understanding of yourself and of the world around you.
Each year these events are the highlight of the University’s calendar. They are the culmination of our mission and purpose to educate and to enable people like you to achieve their potential. The University is fortunate to have a wonderful staff of committed, professional people, and today they take enormous pride and pleasure in seeing you flourish and succeed.
It has been a privilege to be associated with your efforts and your triumphs. I hope you graduate feeling both proud of your achievements and confident of your future, and wish you every success in whatever you choose to do next.
Clare Marchant
Vice-Chancellor
Running order
| Welcome | Clare Marchant, Vice-Chancellor |
| Opening address | Lord Michael Bichard, Chancellor |
| Introductions | Dr Matthew Andrews, Pro Vice Chancellor Governance and Student Affairs |
| Award presentations | Graduands from School of Creative Industries, presented by Dr Matthew Lovett, Assistant Head of the School of Creatives (Outreach and Engagement) |
| Musical Item | Performing Arts student Emily Chestney will perform ‘Bad Habit’ by Ben Abraham, Stephen Wrabel and Jesse Thomas |
| Award presentations | Graduands from School of Computing and Engineering, presented by Dr Matthew Lovett, Assistant Head of the School of Creatives (Outreach and Engagement |
| Special prizes | Presented by Clare Marchant, Vice-Chancellor |
| Honorary award | Chris Cundy, Honorary Doctorate of Music, presented by Professor Angus Pryor, Head of the School of Creatives |
| Honorary award | Jill Douglas, Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy, presented by Professor Angus Pryor, Head of the School of Creatives |
| Student vote of thanks | Bobola Ajibola, representing UoG Students’ Union |
| Closing remarks | Clare Marchant, Vice Chancellor |
On the day
The ceremony
Each ceremony lasts around an hour and a half, graduands will find allocated seating in ‘Block 1’ or ‘Block 2’ on the ground floor – check your ticket for details. Please don’t change your seat as it may disrupt the ceremony and mean your name isn’t called out.
Your guests can use any of the unallocated/unlabelled seating in the auditorium including seats in the balconies.
University staff will be on-hand to explain what happens and to make sure you go across the stage at the right time. If you are a prize winner, you will go over the stage for a second time and will have your photograph taken by our official photographer.
It gets busy after the ceremony, so it’s a good idea to arrange a meeting point so you can find your guests when the ceremony finishes.
Gowning
You can find the gowning area in the Betting Hall through the sales area tent, which is to the right of The Centaur building and signposted throughout.
Why caps and gowns?
Universities began life as we know them in the 12th and 13th centuries, with students already priests or monks, wearing clerical inspired dress. Mortarboards are thought to have originated in the 15th century, from their predecessor, the biretta, a hat worn by Catholic clerics and scholars.
Know your gowns
Photography
Ede and Ravenscroft provide official photography on a first come, first served basis, but if you have pre-ordered you won’t have to queue at the sales desk. Photography starts at the same time as gowning, usually finishing around an hour after the end of the last ceremony. It’s busiest just before and just after the ceremony. Your photographs will be sent to you by post approximately six weeks after the ceremony.
If you have any questions, contact the Customer Services Team at photography@edeandravenscroft.com or call 01223 861854.
Taking your photo
By entering graduation, you and your guests are consenting to recording media and its release, publication, broadcast or reproduction for informational and promotional purposes.
The university has a photographer on site all day during graduation and you and your guests may appear in large-group / distance photographs. No individual or small group photographs will be taken without your consent.
Honorary Awards
Chris Cundy
Chris is a Cheltenham-based musician who studied painting at the Cheltenham Art College, a predecessor of University of Gloucestershire.
His approach to music has established his reputation at the forefront of British contemporary classical and improvised music, with an extensive back catalogue of releases on major labels including Polydor and Geffen.
Collaborations and tours have seen him working with acclaimed artists, including sessions for Moby and The Blind Boys of Alabama, and playing saxophone in the Mercury Prize nominated band, Guillemots.
In the county, he leads the Cheltenham Improvisers’ Orchestra, enabling established and early career musicians to develop and maintain their practice in creative music making.
Chris is receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Music in recognition of his outstanding international contemporary classical and improvised music career, and for the support he has provided for staff and students on our Music and Sound programmes.
Jill Douglas
Jill has made a lasting impact on both sports broadcasting and in the campaign to raise awareness and funds for Motor Neurone Disease.
Jill originally fronted Border TV’s Lookaround news magazine, before presenting BBC Scotland’s rugby union coverage on Sportscene in 1997. Since then, she has been a presenter and reporter for broadcasters including BBC, Sky, ITV and BT Sport, covering the Olympics, Rugby World Cups, cycling and snooker. Jill has also guest lectured for our Sports Journalism students.
She is chief executive of the My Name’5 Doddie charity, established by the late rugby union player Doddie Weir to raise funds for research and support around MND, and received an MBE for her services to sport and charity in 2022.
Jill is receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy for her contribution to sports journalism, and her commitment to charitable works.
Share your day
#GlosGrads
Congratulations! This is a very special moment, take a picture or a video and it will last forever.
Share your special moment with your friends and family on social media by tagging us and using #GlosGrads
Stageclip
View and share your moment on stage with friends and family. Look out for an email a few days after your ceremony with your personalised link to download your Stageclip.
It’s easy to share your Stageclip on social media – use #GlosGrads to share it with us.
Your future
Imagine more with a Master’s at UoG
Why stop now? Increase your pay potential, develop specialist skills in a subject you’re passionate about or change career paths entirely. There are endless possibilities with a Master’s degree.
Most offer flexible study options too, so you will still have time to devote to other commitments.
“I enjoyed studying here for my BSc, the lecturers were helpful and the transition to the master’s easy. This is my opportunity to expand my knowledge and employment prospects.”
Alexander Leighton Jones, MSc Cyber Security
It’s not too late to apply for a Master’s here and start in January, or even September 2024. As a graduate you’ll get up to 20% off your tuition fees* (that’s up to £2,000), and be eligible to apply for a non-means tested student loan of £12,167.**
*Visit funding for terms and conditions.
**Visit gov.uk/masters-loan for further details.
Your Future Plan
Whether you’ve already planned what to do after graduation, or have no idea, the Your Future Plan team can help you develop the confidence, skills and experience you need for the working world.
As a graduate, you’ll have continued access to 1-2-1 career support from our Career Studio – helping you navigate your job search and discover your next role. Log in to the Your Future Plan portal to make an online or in-person appointment with a career coach, explore resources and ask questions.
You can also access thousands of online career resources and enjoy articles, guides, podcasts and videos on a huge range of topics, from an interview simulator, to moving into management or self-employment. Explore our dedicated Graduate Portal to get started.
Starting your own business?
The traditional route to work isn’t for everybody. Whether you have an idea for a business or just want to build up your enterprise skills, you can get student-focused support for big ideas and small businesses through The Growth Hub based at Oxstalls Campus.
For graduates staying within the county, there is everything you need to launch your business available to you, for free, from the Gloucestershire Growth Hub network. This includes direct business support from a team of expert consultants, modern co-working spaces, and free training events.
If your next step takes you away from Gloucestershire, you can explore what your local Growth Hub offers as part of the national network.
Have your say
Graduate Outcomes is a national survey capturing the activities and perspectives of university graduates 15 months after they finish their studies.
Your response will be crucial in allowing current and future students to make informed choices about higher education and in helping us to evaluate and promote our courses.
The survey data also plays a very significant role in supporting student choice and informing public discussion on the value of higher education.
Stay in touch
Alumni
As an alumnus you are in good company – following in the footsteps of more than 75,000 former students who have studied with us over the year.
You can find out more about our graduates and where their journeys have taken them on our alumni pages, and as an alumnus you will also receive our regular newsletter, featuring news and events around the University. You can also visit our alumni portal for the latest news, events, graduate stories and more.
Follow us on social
Chancellor’s Charity initiative
In 2023 staff and students nominated Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (GRASAC) as the first benefactor of the University of Gloucestershire’s Chancellor’s Charity initiative.
GRASAC offers both practical and emotional support to anyone in Gloucestershire who has been affected by rape, sexual violence or childhood sexual abuse at any point in their lives – regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexuality etc.
In 2022 GRASAC supported 800 clients and made almost 10,000 contacts either with clients or with other agencies on their behalf.
We offer one-to-one emotional support and advocacy for those who are pursuing the criminal justice system and a confidential environment for survivors/victims to talk through their thoughts, feelings, and be able to explore what has happened and begin their healing journey
We listen and understand, we believe, we are non-judgemental.
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