Winter graduation 2024

The 2024 Winter graduation ceremonies returned to University of London's Senate House and saw nearly 900 undergraduate students celebrate their academic success.

The ceremony featured speeches from Professor Sally Wheeler, Vice-Chancellor of Birkbeck; Baroness Joan Bakewell, President of Birkbeck; Joanna MacGregor, internationally acclaimed musician and Birkbeck alumna; and Melanie Eusebe, Director at Google and diversity advocate.

The ceremonies showcased the rich diversity of the Birkbeck community, featuring graduates from all ages, cultural backgrounds, and life journeys celebrating their achievements. Here are some of their inspiring stories.

Graduation Stories

Building a career and an award-winning business while studying

Lydia, a BSc Marketing student, used Birkbeck’s Pioneer Programme to develop an app idea for amputees. Birkbeck's flexible approach to learning helped her balance her work, study and launching a business.

From full-time mum to NHS professional

As an international student and mother of three, Humera balanced family life, studies and a new cultural environment to graduate with a first-class degree in BSc Psychology in Practice and gain a role in the NHS.

Making films and industry connections

Daniel’s BA Film and Media allowed him to explore film theory and direct his own projects. Birkbeck’s diverse community and real-world opportunities helped him and his fellow students navigate the industry.

From retail worker to post-excavation assistant

Samuele shares how he balanced working in retail while studying BA Archaeology in the evenings at Birkbeck to become a Post Excavation Assistant at Cotswold Archaeology.

"I never saw myself as an academic – but Birkbeck changed that"

After dropping out of another university and feeling lost, Cait applied to Birkbeck to study BA Psychosocial Studies. Birkbeck’s supportive environment and diverse community let her thrive socially and academically.

"Birkbeck helped me pursue my passion for Japan and content creation"

Studying BA Japanese Language with International Law while balancing work and life, Richard used Birkbeck’s flexible study model to gain the skills to pursue his passion for creating content.

Living, learning, and thriving as a neurodivergent student

Ruth Ojadi’s journey to graduating with a BSc in Social Sciences at Birkbeck is a testament to resilience, the power of community support and the importance of embracing neurodivergence.

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Birkbeck graduation day: celebrating dreams, hard work and new beginnings

Watch as Birkbeck students celebrate their incredible journey, reflecting on the challenges they overcame, how Birkbeck's study options fit around their lives, and the emotional pride of graduation. Whether it’s balancing full-time work, raising a family or chasing a lifelong dream, they prove that 'anytime is the right time' to succeed.

Watch what students and their families have to say.