This Saturday [19th of September], University Centre Weston (UCW) celebrated at our 2026 Graduation ceremony! This special occasion was a chance for our incredible graduates to reflect on their time at UCW, and just how much they have achieved!
The day began with graduands arriving, catching up with their classmates before getting fitted with their gowns and mortarboards and then forming a procession around the town’s Italian Gardens.
Following an introduction from Sadie Skellon, our Vice Principal for Higher Education and a welcome speech from our Principal and CEO Pat Jones, graduands came up after a personal citation from their lecturers who have supported them through the degree.
Students then had the chance to give back, with each ceremony having a powerful vote of thanks delivered by one of our students. Ceremony one featured Amber Thrush who studied on the Assistant Practitioner course and won Healthcare and Sciences Student of the Year at this year’s UCW Awards, ceremony two had Giuseppe Acquilino speaking about his time on the Criminology course while ceremony 3 had our Student Ambassador of the Year Amy Catto speaking! After the ceremonies, graduates made their way to the Conference Centre to enjoy a drinks reception celebrating with their friends, family and lecturers.
This has been a great year for achievements for UCW students and alumni! We’ve had students featured at the Royal West of England Academy Exhibition, an exclusive and selective art show. Our Digital and Technology Solutions degree apprentices also had an incredibly impressive achievement – winning the prestigious Defence Cyber Marvel 2026 exercise in Singapore! One of our brilliant alumni, Alexia Williams was also selected for an MBE for her advocacy work with degree apprenticeships and promoting women in STEM!
This graduation is extra special as 2026 marks ten years of UCW! Over the past decade, we have empowered thousands of learners to achieve their ambitions, building a vibrant community where talent, determination and opportunity thrive. As we mark this milestone, our graduation provided the perfect opportunity to celebrate a decade of higher education excellence, and also the outstanding achievements, resilience and success of the students who continue to shape UCW’s story and inspire its future.
Vice Principal for Higher Education Sadie Skellon said about the day:
“It’s been fantastic to spend today looking back on the last few years for all of our graduates here. Our students have achieved so much this year including brilliant grades, personal growth and some incredible international trips – including going all the way to the Welgevonden Game Reserve in South Africa and the Broadway Dance Center in New York City!“
Want to start your journey to Graduation at UCW? Explore our courses here or sign up for our next open event!
