Raise the roof! Winter graduations kick off for University of West London students at Twickenham

Four students wearing graduation cap and gowns are smiling toward the camera after their ceremony.

Raise the roof! Winter graduations kick off for University of West London students at Twickenham

Two days of graduation ceremonies are taking place this week for hundreds of University of West London (UWL) students, with four honorary degrees also set to be awarded at Twickenham Rugby Stadium, the home of the England rugby team.

29 November 2022

In recognition of all their hard work, hours of revision, exams, dissertations and successful coursework, the latest UWL graduates are set to shine as they take centre stage, watched by their proud family and friends.

Group of 6 students wearing the UWL graduation cap and gowns are standing in the twickenham stands with the view of the stadium behind them. They are all smiling.

Five ceremonies take place across Tuesday and Wednesday, with the University also set to award honorary degrees recognising the contributions of inspiring figures from the worlds of politics, nursing, music and travel. Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Angela Harris of Richmond, who is also a UWL alumni, is being recognised for her long, distinguished and exceptional career in local and national politics.

Visiting Clinical Fellow in Epidemiology at UWL’s Richard Wells Research Centre Martin Kiernan is being recognised for over 30 years working in infection prevention, while Audio mastering engineer Mandy Parnell is being honoured for her work with artists including Bjork, Feist, David Gilmour, Judas Priest, The XX, Max Richter and Brian Eno.

The final honorary degree recipient Julia Lo Bue-Said who is CEO of the Advantage Travel Centres group, saw herself becoming a regular spokesperson on national TV during the Covid 18 pandemic, supporting the interests of the sector.

Professor Peter John CBE, Vice-Chancellor of UWL, said:

Graduation is about celebrating our students’ success, which has only been possible with a considerable commitment of time, energy and personal sacrifice on their part."

It is also time to reflect just how far they have come on their educational journey that has equipped them with the knowledge, skills and expertise that will set them up for their future career.”

He also acknowledged the crucial role played by parents, friends, partners and family members attending the ceremonies who have given their support over the last few years.

Students are sat in rows in a large room at Twickenham where the graduation ceremony is about to commence. All students are wearing the UWL cap and gown and are clapping.

Laurence Geller, CBE, Chancellor of the University of West London said ‘It has been an exceptional year of growth and achievement for the University being named University of the Year for Student Experience and University of the Year for Teaching Quality in The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023, reaching No 23 in the Guardian University Guide and being named No 1 University in the UK for Student Satisfaction by its students (NSS 2022)*.

I could not be more proud of the University and these accomplishments but more than anything I am proud of its extraordinarily diverse student community which is a testament to its ethos and values.”

Both the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor congratulated all the students and urged them to enjoy their very special day as they had indeed earned it!

You can follow events from Twickenham across our Instagram and Twitter channels. Use #UWLGraduation or #loveuwl to get involved.

*NSS 2022, Average all questions.