Graduations November 2023

Last week’s ceremonies welcomed more than 10,000 graduates and guests in total over five days of celebrations and memory making.

With the University’s traditional graduation home of Royal & Derngate effected following the discovery of RAAC concrete in parts of its structure, the ceremonies were at the CINCH Stadium/Franklins Gardens, home of the Northampton Saints.

The organisation of the ceremonies was completed in just over six weeks, an incredible achievement for the Ceremonies team.

We held 13 ceremonies across the five days and the week in figures includes:

• We ‘made’ more than 2,400 graduates.
• We welcomed just over 8,000 guests.
• Over 100 UON staff worked the events, plus the Assessment, Ceremonies & Exams Team.
• Over 315 staff took part in the ceremonial processions.

The graduation ceremonies also included a bumper crop of 61 student prizes, details of which are online.

Informal photography took place on site and you can see the pictures here, you need only to add an email address to see them.

Mel Linnell, Deputy Assessment, Ceremonies and Exams Manager, says: “As much as we enjoy celebrating our students’ past achievements with the traditional ceremony and the inclusion this year of many more student prizes, it is also a moment to see them just before they start their post-UON lives.

“A huge thank you to everyone who supported the delivery of our 13 graduation ceremonies. It was, as always, the most enormous team effort with support from colleagues across the University. Whether covering phone calls, labelling seats, being part of the procession, looking after dignitaries, or greeting and seating our graduates and guests, it couldn’t happen without you all.”

Julie Martin, Academic Registrar, adds: “It was wonderful to be on the stage to celebrate our graduates’ achievements, and with their friends and families. Feedback from our guests and staff tells us everyone had a wonderful time.

“I’d like to add my own thanks to everyone who supported the winter ceremonies, and to the Assessment, Ceremonies and Examination Team who worked with the Saints Rugby Club and University colleagues, to organise the whole event in only six weeks.”