Higher Education graduates from Bath College celebrated their success at their Graduation Ceremony on Tuesday. More than eighty students dressed in mortar boards and gowns gathered at The Assembly Rooms to collect their certificates.

The students have all completed degree-level and higher education courses, including programmes validated by the University of Bath, The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) and the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).

The ceremony opened with an impressive Civic Procession made up of the Senior Management Team of the College, Heads of Departments, academic staff, Governors, and The Mayor of Bath, councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones, led by the City Sword-Bearer and two Mace-Bearers.

Once everyone was seated, guests were welcomed by Laurel Penrose, Principal and CEO of Bath College, and certificates were handed out to graduates from Carole Stott, the Chair of Governors. Two keynote speakers inspired the crowds with their words; Gavin Strange, Senior Designer and Director at Aardman Animations, and Nick Isles, Managing Director of Corporate Agenda advice consultancy.

Gavin pointed out to the graduates that: “We all have the same amount of hours in a day as Beyoncé does, or Mozart did. It’s how we choose to use those hours that count.”

Nick added: “A great learning environment is also about creating life skills such as communication, teamwork, self-reliance, self-control, and an unshakeable belief that you can be the very best you want to be.”

Proud friends and family looked on as graduates collected their awards in subjects such as Accounting, Business, Construction, Engineering, Computing, Marketing, Music Production and Education and Training. After the Ceremony the graduates gathered outside the Assembly Rooms and threw their hats in the air to the cheers of guests and passers-by, including a city tour bus full of applauding tourists. A drinks and canapé reception was held at Woods restaurant, where the graduates and their families continued their celebration.

Laurel Penrose, Principal and CEO of Bath College, said: “It has been a wonderful day. These students remind us that success comes to those who work – I know the extra work they have undertaken through their studies will, at times, have been difficult and gruelling, but they have made it through. I am very proud of our Higher Education graduates and I wish them all the very best in their exciting futures.”