Spring Graduation 2023

Our Spring 2023 graduation ceremonies were held at the University of London's Senate House, with an impressive 1,294 postgraduate students graduating. Ten ceremonies took place over four days, from Monday 24 to Thursday 27 April.

Graduating students were addressed and congratulated by Professor David Latchman CBE, Vice-Chancellor; Baroness Joan Bakewell, President (who offered congratulations over video); Professor Joanna Bourke, College Orator; academic staff; alumni; and four new Fellows of the College: Annie Coombes, Judy Singer, Hetan Shah and Michael O'Neill.

The diversity of Birkbeck's student body was evident at the ceremonies, with graduates from all age groups, cultures and walks of life celebrating their successes. Here are some of the remarkable personal stories of graduates.

Graduation stories: blogs

"From coming to the UK as an asylum seeker to working in medical physics"

Mariam Tahir, MSc Analytical Bioscience graduate, shares her incredible story in a blog as well as a video listed below.

"I overcame a disability, achieved a master's and accelerated my career"

Simon Bell, MSc Marketing graduate, shares his story of how he overcame his disability and advanced his career in a blog as well as a video listed below.

"Studying gave me clarity and renewed confidence about my career path"

MSc Management with International Business graduate Yuan Yao shares her story in a blog as well as a video listed below

"Studying a master's degree helped me secure a job as an economist"

Ellie Henderson, MSc Economics graduate, shares her story in a blog as well as a video listed below of how studying propelled her career and built her confidence.

"Studying opened up a new world of opportunities and networks"

Christine Lehmann shares in a blog and video listed below how studying MSc Social and Political Theory helped in their career and allowed her to make a difference in the workplace.

"Birkbeck is an inclusive, diverse and supportive environment"

MA Film and Screen Media graduate, Charlie Gardiner, shares her thoughts on how studying helped her gain both personal and professional confidence, progressing her career in the film industry.

"Changing careers from the corporate to the clinical world"

Wardah Jadran, MSc Health and Clinical Psychological Sciences graduate and an international student from Pakistan, tells her story in this blog and a video listed below.

"I want to represent my country internationally in environmental law"

LLM Environmental Law, Policy and Governance graduate, Annika Bellot, highlights how she aspires to represent her home country, Dominica, in a blog as well as a video listed below.

Graduation stories: videos

"Birkbeck changed my life": from coming to the UK as an asylum seeker to working in the NHS

Mariam Tahir graduated with a MSc Analytical Bioscience degree, an incredible achievement after coming to the UK as an asylum seeker.

"Studying gave me clarity and renewed confidence about my career path"

Yuan Yao is an international student who decided to study a MSc Management with International Business to bolster her career.

"My bubble has been burst and I see the world differently now"

Wardah Jadran, MSc Health and Clinical Psychological Sciences graduate, came from Pakistan to study and change careers.

"I'd definitely recommend Birkbeck to other international students"

Simphiwe Madlanga, MSc Management with International Business and Development graduate found studying at Birkbeck benefitted his career and expanded his horizons.

"Birkbeck's Disability Support Team provided a lot of support"

Simon Bell, MSc Marketing graduate, is grateful for how Birkbeck's student disability service supported him and how gaining a Master's has helped him secure better jobs.

"Studying helped create lifelong connections and professional networks"

MSc Human Resource Management graduate Fahd Rehman, found studying helped land him a promotion and build vital networks.‌

"Studying a master's degree helped me secure a job as an economist"

MSc Economics graduate, Ellie Henderson explains how Birkbeck helped her career, expanded her networks and changed her life.

"I want to become an environmental diplomat and represent my country on the world stage"

LLM Environmental Law, Policy and Governance graduate, Annika Bellot, highlights how she aspires to represent her home country, Dominica, on the international stage in environmental law.

"Birkbeck's Career coaching service helped me land a better job"

MSc Social and Political Theory graduate, Christine Lehmann, talks about how Birkbeck's career coaching programme helped her get a new job.

Changing careers in my late 20's: from post-production filmmaking to counselling

MSc Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy graduate, Daniel Smith, explains how he has changed careers.

"Birkbeck helped me reach a promotion early in my career"

MA Applied Linguistics and Communication graduate, Ana-Alexandrina Leahu, talks about how studying at Birkbeck helped her career, as well as the welcoming social life of the College.

"Retirement is not about sitting around, it's about getting out and doing things"

MA History of Art graduate, John Owens, decided to take on a degree after retiring from a career heading up the legal team at PwC.

"You're at the centre of it all in London, you have everything within reach"

MA Arts Policy and Management graduate, Liron Shekel, talks about the advantages of studying in London, and her how her studies have shaped her future plans.

From the Fellows

Birkbeck offers everyone the possibility of lifelong learning

Hetan Shah, Chief Executive of the British Academy and former Birkbeck student, on how Birkbeck enables access to education at different stages of people’s lives.

Find out more about our Birkbeck Fellows

From the graduates

Graduates answer, "How do you hope to change the world?"

We asked some of our graduates how they would like to use what they've learnt at Birkbeck to help change the world.

Embark on a degree at Birkbeck