Students put on gowns and mortar boards to celebrate their graduate-level qualifications - which they achieved at Uxbridge College.
Students of all ages graduated in Higher National
Students put on gowns and mortar boards to celebrate their graduate-level qualifications - which they achieved at Uxbridge College.
Students of all ages graduated in Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) in business, computing, engineering, and travel & tourism.
Higher Education qualifications improve career prospects and can also enable graduates to enter university in the second, third or fourth years.
Those graduating at the ceremony held at Brunel University on Wednesday 3 November included:
Rebekah Rose (25), of Old Ruislip Road, Northolt, who graduated with an HND in Business and has now entered the third year of a BA (Hons) in Business Studies with Human Resource Management at the University of West London (formerly Thames Valley University).
Rebekah said: "Doing the first two years of a degree at college makes it so much more manageable financially. I've also found that I've already covered a lot of what we're being taught on the degree, so I feel very well prepared. I had a really good experience during my two years at college, the teachers are really helpful, and I was also a student representative. I hope to work in human resource management when I complete my degree."
Clive Reed, who lived in Lynton Road, Chesham, while he was studying and now lives in Hamble, Southampton, graduated with an HND in Computing & IT. The new father, whose baby was born in October 2010, is now looking for a job in software development. He had worked as a printer and taught himself some networking skills before enrolling on the HND. He said: "I really enjoyed it, it was great. I learned a huge amount and the staff were really helpful."
Hamza Hussein Osman (24), who lived in Hayes while he was studying and now lives in Dehavilland Close, Northolt, graduated with an HND in Computing and IT. Hamza spent a total of six years studying at Uxbridge College, starting his studies at pre-GCSE level in 2003. After achieving a BTEC National Diploma in Computing and IT, he took two years out to play professional basketball abroad. After retiring through injury he enrolled on the HND. He now works on the IT Helpdesk for a company in Kingston called SHL.
Kyaw Lu (23), of Woodstock Avenue, Brent Cross, graduated with an HND in Engineering (Electrical/Electronic.). He is now entering the fourth year of a BEng (Hons) in Electronic Engineering at Portsmouth University after achieving distinctions across the board. He said: "Uxbridge College has good facilities, a good lab and the teachers are helpful and friendly. What I learned on my HND has been very useful at university. I've enjoyed myself at Uxbridge College, it's like a family. It was hard work but it's been worth it."
The HNCs and HNDs taught at Uxbridge College are accredited by the Universities of Westminster and Greenwich, the University of West London (formerly Thames Valley) and Bucks New University.
Speaking at the ceremony Laraine Smith, Principal of Uxbridge College, said: "Uxbridge College's higher education graduation ceremony is one of the most important events in the College year and always makes me very proud. While it is a formal occasion, the personal achievements behind it must never be underestimated.
"Achieving an HNC or HND offers so many benefits and a number of our graduates this year, as in previous years, have entered university in the last year as a direct result of their achievements.
"I am always impressed by the dedication of learners who have many other demands on their time and energy such as looking after young families or working. The many achievements at higher level show Uxbridge College's commitment to providing everyone with a chance to learn whatever their circumstances continues to pay off."
* For more information about Higher Education courses at Uxbridge College call 01895 853333.