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Thousands of students from City St George’s, University of London graduated across four days of ceremonies

By Katie Hoggan (Communications Officer (Corporate)), Published

Students from City St George’s, University of London donned their caps and gowns for this year’s winter graduation ceremonies at the Barbican.

Over 2,700 students from across the University's six schools attended eight ceremonies held between Monday 20 January and Monday 27 January and celebrated with friends and family.

The ceremonies also honoured exceptional people who have made impressive contributions in their chosen field. On the final day of ceremonies, Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Alastair King, was installed as Rector of the University and awarded an honorary doctorate.

A woman wearing a cap and gown smiles while holding a bouquet of flowers
Graduates celebrated with their friends and family at the Barbican
A person smiles standing outside in a graduation cap and gown, celebrating graduating
Over 2,700 students attended the ceremonies

Student Speakers

Across the eight ceremonies, a selection of graduates addressed the congregation and shared their unique stories, reflecting on their time at the University and looking ahead to bright futures.

Student speakers represented the School of Policy & Global Affairs, School of Communication & Creativity, Bayes Business School, School of Health & Psychological Sciences, School of Science & Technology and The City Law School.

A man with short hair wearing a cap and gown smiles and stands behind a podium at his graduation
MA in Podcasting graduate Charlie Brown

Charlie Brown (MA in Podcasting): With crisis comes opportunity

One such graduate was Charlie Brown who recently completed an MA in Podcasting after a career-shaped bump in the road led him to return to academia. At the School of Communication and Creativity’s graduation ceremony on Wednesday 22 January, Charlie addressed an audience at the Barbican and said:

“Schooldays are the happiest days of your life. Classic cliché. I was always a sceptic myself. I thought if that’s as happy as life gets, then I might need a refund.

“That’s until a shock redundancy meant I found myself at City St George's studying on the new MA in Podcasting in the company of some of the most talented, charismatic and incredible people that I have met gathered in one place. And even more incredible, you were all rather kind to this aged gentleman.

“Of course it was the old truth – that with crisis, really does come opportunity to discover a whole new dimension to oneself and new stories to be told.”

A blonde woman wearing a red dress and cap and gown stands behind a podium and smiles
Nursing student Clara Greenwood

Clara Greenwood (BSc Child Nursing): The power of owning your story

Nursing student Clara Greenwood spoke to her fellow School of Health & Psychological Sciences graduates on Monday 27 January and stressed the importance of never forgetting the personal reasons behind a career choice.

Addressing the congregation, she said:

Looking back, I realise the most important lesson I’ve learned here at City St George’s is the power of owning your story.

“Every one of us has our own unique path that has led us to nursing- whether it was a personal experience, a moment of inspiration, or the deep desire to care for others.

“In the inevitable moments of doubt or exhaustion that are sure to come in our careers, I encourage all of us to remember why we chose this path. Hold on to that spark, that purpose. It will keep us going when the road gets rough, when we face difficult days or when we need the strength we didn’t know we had.”

A woman with dark hair and glasses smiles, dressed in a graduation cap and gown, standing behind a podium on stage
Master of Arts in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy graduate Christine Mwelu

Christine Mwelu (MA Diplomacy and Foreign Policy): Building alliances 

Student speaker Christine addressed the audience and spoke about the network students develop across their university careers. She said:

"The bonds we’ve formed here, are not just friendships but alliances we can lean on, learn from and contribute to as we chart uncertainty."

Honorary Doctorates and the installation of Lord Mayor as Rector

The Lord Mayor, dressed in robes, addresses a congregation on stage standing behind a podium with a man translating his words into sign language to his right and some members of the staff procession to his left who are seated on stage
As Lord Mayor, Alderman King is promoting his theme of 'Growth Unleashed'

City St George’s has historical links to the City of London.  Each year the Lord Mayor of London is appointed as Rector of the University. Professor Alastair King took office as Lord Mayor in November 2024 and on Monday 27 January, he was installed as Rector of City St George’s at the School of Health & Psychological Sciences graduation ceremony.

Alderman King's mayoral theme is Growth Unleashed, promoting a revitalised, resilient, and risk-ready City. His theme will focus on challenging industry to maximise opportunities through responsible risk taking, driving the adoption of technologies, and celebrating the accomplishments of the many diverse communities across the UK.

Other impressive individuals received honorary doctorates across the graduation ceremonies. At the Bayes graduation ceremony on Monday 20 January, an honorary Doctor of Science degree was awarded to Alan Giles OBE, recognising his long career in retail and his support for Bayes.

On Wednesday 22 January, Former Chief of MI6 Sir Alex Younger received an honorary Doctorate of Science from the School of Policy & Global Affairs and spoke to graduates about his extraordinary career.