Autumn graduation 2018

Getting by with a little help from my friends

John, Anna and Karolina, who all studied history together, talk about how crucial having the support of friends was around exam time, and the life-long friendships they've made at Birkbeck

Scroll down for more videos and blogs from our Autumn 2018 graduates

Birkbeck’s Autumn 2018 graduation ceremonies took place at the iconic Senate House in the heart of Bloomsbury. Almost 800 students were joined by 1700 of their family and friends to celebrate their achievements over three days of ceremonies, taking place from Tuesday 6 to Thursday 8 November.

This year’s cohort of graduates included students from 39 different countries, including Canada, Kenya and South Korea, demonstrating the diversity of the College community.

Alongside graduating students, six new fellows were formally recognised for their contributions to the College – Kemi Badenoch, Juliet Davenport, Peter Goodrich, James Middleton, Sir Michael Wilshaw and Professor the Baroness Wolf of Dulwich CBE.

Sarah overcomes bereavement, anorexia and depression to graduate on her late father’s birthday

When most young people are applying to university, Sarah Solomon was battling an eating disorder and depression as she came to terms with her father’s death. Now she’s looking towards her next challenge with optimism as she graduates with a law degree from Birkbeck.

It's the best feeling ever!

Having a full-time job while studying means working twice as hard, says Emily, but it means the sense of achievement on graduating is twice as much!

Studying in her sixties

Nicola was thrilled that her 98-year-old mother was able to see her graduate with a BA in Archaeology. She decided to study at the same time as her three children at different universities, and says that they were all able to benefit from each other's support.

9 year old tells mum “You’re going to be amazing” as she graduates with a first class degree in Law

Chloe Livingston, 29, took the meaning of multi-tasking to the extreme when she decided to enrol for a law degree while working full time and raising her son as a single parent.

Paola overcomes dyslexia and the ghosts of her early education to celebrate graduation success

On Tuesday 6 November, Paola Torrani, who grew up being told she was too ‘stupid’ to go to university, graduated with a BSc Social Sciences with Social Anthropology from Birkbeck. She explains why this is only the beginning.

Support from family was key for Brendon

New father, Brendon Hughes, explains how the support of his wife and extended family enabled him to hold down a full-time job while studying part-time at Birkbeck.

Graduating from Birkbeck is a family affair for Julia

Exactly 50 years after her father-in-law graduated from Birkbeck, Julia is joined by her family to do the same.

Graduates describe Birkbeck in one word

Graduates from across the College choose one word that sums up Birkbeck for them.