Celebrating success this week at University of Cumbria graduations

The latest students to successfully complete their academic awards and programmes awarded by the University of Cumbria are leading three days of celebration which have started today (Tuesday 14 July).

The 1,500 to cross the stage and shake the hand of university vice chancellor Professor Julie Mennell DL this week include:

• Student prizes winners such as Ryan McColl and Victoria Ward, who are graduating with BA (Hons) Wildlife Media degrees. Receiving the industry and entrepreneurship (arts) prize, the pair were award winners at the 2026 Royal Television Awards. Their final-year film covers the rewilding and documents the translocation of Bison from Kent to the 6,000-acre Castletown Estate (Solway Wild Lands project) at Rockcliffe near Carlisle, and reintroduction of Beavers. The film, viewed more than 25,000 times on social media, has already gained a BBC News credit and will be featured in future BBC programming.
• The latest to achieve doctorates - PhDs and DBAs – the highest academic awards that the University of Cumbria can confer (after the Privy Council granted Research Degree Awarding Powers in 2019).
• Professionals from around the world who have completed postgraduate MBAs and other masters level courses via distance learning, offered through the partnership the University of Cumbria has with Robert Kennedy College in Zurich. The Malaysian FAME International College also has graduands attending tomorrow.
• Ceremonies draw to a close on Thursday afternoon when paramedic degree apprentices from seven of England’s ambulance trusts graduate – East of England, London Ambulance Service, North West Ambulance Service, South Central Ambulance Service, South East Coast Ambulance Service, South West Ambulance Service and the Isle of Wight.

Above: University of Cumbria Vice Chancellor, Professor Julie Mennell DL

Vice Chancellor Professor Julie Mennell DL said: “The University of Cumbria is proud to have recently been recognised as one of the top five universities in the country and again best in the Northwest for graduate employability outcomes. We recognise how graduation is a significant milestone for our students, all of whom can be confident that the skills and knowledge developed during their time with us prepares them well for the world of work and their progressing careers.”

Alongside celebrating student success, the university will also confer special honours during the graduation ceremonies, including an Honorary Doctorate for Cumbrian sheep farmer and author James Rebanks on Thursday 16 July. This is the highest honorary award the university can confer.

Inspiring future generations, choirs from Cumbria Education Trust schools – Longtown Primary, Castle Park Primary and Queen Katherine School, Kendal – are singing in the ceremonies.

Staff teams from across all areas of university operations work together to stage the ceremonies and celebrations that take place every July and November across Carlisle’s Historic Quarter.

After collecting their academic awards, graduates automatically become members of the University of Cumbria Alumni Association, joining a global network of more than 75,000 alumni across more than 100 countries and maintaining an ongoing connection with the university.

The university’s recent recognition as one of the UK’s top five universities and the best in the Northwest for graduate employability further reinforces its long-term commitment to developing skills, creating opportunities and supporting regional growth.