Over four days last week, the Theatre Royal played host to our summer graduation celebrations, which saw over 3,000 students graduate in the finale to years of hard study.

A new venue this year, whilst the Abbey undergoes renovations, the theatre proved popular among graduates and their families and offered a memorable backdrop to proceedings.

In addition to our graduating students, we welcomed new honorary graduates into our community including: Major Heather Stanning OBE; TV supervet Professor Noel Fitzpatrick; comedian and musician Bill Bailey; and former England and Tottenham Hotspur footballer and diabetes campaigner Gary Mabbutt MBE.

You can watch speeches from our new honorary graduates via the links above.

Among the many success stories from our students, we celebrated a University first whereby three generations of one family were all involved in graduations together. This included granddad, Professor Jeff Thompson from our Department of Education, who processed in ceremonies for his daughter and grand-daughter.

Thank you to all involved

President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dame Glynis Breakwell, said: “The Theatre is an iconic building and a fitting venue in which to celebrate the success of our graduating students. My sincere thanks to the many academics who processed and to all those who worked so hard to ensure that our graduates and their families remember this special day for years to come.”

University Secretary, Mark Humphriss added: “Thanks to the tremendous efforts of a host of people right across the University - including Events, Academic Registry, Audio Visual and Security and the Marshal’s team– this year’s graduations were a great success.

“I would like to add special thanks to Professor Mike Threadgill, who stands down as Marshal, but whose dedication to graduations has been felt by countless people over the years.”

Our Chancellor, HRH The Earl of Wessex, was involved in graduation proceedings on Wednesday and Thursday and joined us for the Chancellor's Dinner on Wednesday evening. While in Bath he also found time to join Designability – the Bath-based charity co-founded by the University – to celebrate its 50th Anniversary.