Sunderland College Higher Education students recently celebrated their graduations in a memorable ceremony at its Bede Campus.
During the ceremony, graduates were presented with their diplomas from a wide range of courses, including honours degrees; foundation degrees; higher apprenticeships; higher national diplomas; higher national certificates; and professional qualifications.
Sunderland City Council Leader, Michael Mordey, was the guest speaker on the day which was presided over by Education Partnership North East and Sunderland College Deputy Chief Executive Toni Rhodes.
Following the ceremony, graduates joined their friends and families in the campus’ Theatre Eighteen and arts academy for a drinks reception.
Deputy CEO, Toni Rhodes said: “We were delighted to share this important day with all our Higher Education students and I’m proud of everything they have worked hard to achieve.
“As graduates, I know they will use their higher-level skills and knowledge to positively contribute to the economy and society and foster a better world.
“I would like to thank all of our higher education staff for the support they have given our graduates during their studies, and I wish all those who graduated every success in the future.”
Councillor Michael Mordey added: “It was a privilege to be asked to be the guest speaker at the recent graduation ceremony at Sunderland College and to be given the opportunity to share with and celebrate the students’ amazing achievements.
“Graduation is not just a celebration of academic achievements, it’s a celebration of transformation and I can think of nowhere better to have chosen to do that than at this award-winning, truly life changing college.
“I would like to wish all the fantastic graduates all the best of luck in their future career paths.”
Among this year’s graduates were two award winners: the David Child’s Award for Outstanding Achievement on an Engineering course went to HNC Engineering student Jaxon Walker, while Jamie Lister, who studied a top up year in Counselling, received the Chief Executive Award for Academic Excellence.
The awards were presented to Jaxon and Jamie for going above and beyond within their studies and adding value to the wider college student experience, community, their employment, further progression and skills.
Jamie said: “Celebrating my graduation today has been a fantastic time – I’ve accomplished my top up year, but to also achieve the Chief Executive Award by the college was a total surprise. I also had the opportunity to give a speech to close off the ceremony, giving thanks to the college, the staff and everyone involved.
“My time at Sunderland College has been an absolute pleasure and to anyone that’s thinking about going to college, I would say go for it – there are so many different avenues to support students.”
Scarlett Ramshaw who studied Hospitality Management said: “Studying at Sunderland College has helped me to gain my independence and my confidence.
“Celebrating today with my lecturers and my fellow graduates who I’ve been at class with for the past four years has been an amazing achievement for me just to be here and for my family and my friends to be here with me.”
Chair of Governors, James Stuart also said: “It was a joy and privilege to be part of the ceremony recognising the work and achievement of our graduates across the College.
“I was stuck by the theme of courage that emerged in both speeches; the graduates have already been courageous to reach this point, they have pushed themselves hard and so they not only take the direct learning from their course on into their next steps but have proved to us and themselves that they have the courage to take on big challenges and to succeed.”
The college has launched a competitive scholarship scheme that will fund fees for a Higher Education course commencing in September. The scheme has been created to support progressing students’ future career aspirations enabling them to study a Higher Education course of their choice at Sunderland College.
Check the website for updates on 2026 deadline submissions by visiting: https://sunderlandcollege.ac.uk/courses/higher-education/principals-scholarship/.
Sunderland College offers a variety of Higher Education courses including a number run in partnership with and accredited by local universities, such as the University of Cumbria.
To apply for Sunderland College’s Higher Education courses or book onto an open event, visit www.sunderlandcollege.ac.uk.
Sunderland College, as part of college group EPNE, receives an Outstanding rating across the board in its latest Ofsted inspection.
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98% of our students progress to a positive destination
(*Destination data for Sunderland College students aged 16-18, academic year 2017/18).
Our achievement rates are well above the national average.
We are the College of the Year.
(*Top college nationally for BTECs, Pearson 2019)
100% of our HND and HNC students progressed to employment or further study.
(*Destination data, academic year 2016/17, HNC 19+)
We have recently invested £50 million in our facilities.
