Thousands of University of Suffolk students have now collected their awards. A week of graduation ceremonies has filled Ipswich waterfront with gowns, families and flying caps. The celebrations ended this week, and they showed how many of the university’s graduates are building careers and further study from Ipswich and the surrounding area.
The University of Suffolk held its ceremonies in a special marquee on Ipswich waterfront, starting on Saturday. The week had opened the previous Friday with a ceremony at Great Yarmouth Minster for University of Suffolk at East Coast College students.
From the degree show to a job at Portman Road
Alice Lawes, from Ipswich, graduated in Graphic Design. She showed her work at June’s annual Arts Degree Show. Soon afterwards she got a job as a Graphic Design Executive at Ipswich Town Football Club. She now uses what she learned on her course every day.
Alice, who is 21, said what she will remember most is seeing her friends daily and working with course mates and lecturers in a studio. She will also miss the creative teaching that helped her hone her skills.
“The playful, friendly atmosphere made it such a great place to learn.”
Top honours and a path to vet school
Vicki Webber, from Sudbury, graduated in BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences. She received the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) Top Student Award, which recognises outstanding undergraduate biologists. She has also won a place to study Veterinary Science and Medicine. Vicki has always wanted to be a vet and to act as an advocate for animals that are displaced and need care.
Zoe Saunders, the Students’ Union President of Activities and Wellbeing, achieved a First Class BSc (Hons) in Criminology and Sociology. She said she was immensely proud to walk the stage with her fellow graduates. She also hoped they would all take a moment to reflect on their own journeys.
Honorary doctorates and a day to remember
The university awarded two honorary doctorates this year. They went to broadcaster and film producer Emma Freud OBE, and to historian and author Dr Alison Weir.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Jenny Higham described the sight of the waterfront full of students celebrating with their families, friends and tutors as the highlight of the university’s year. She said it marks the culmination of the graduates’ hard work, and she offered warm congratulations to everyone who graduated.
The photos from the week show the mood well. They include graduates arriving by boat, caps tossed in the air, robes billowing in the autumn breeze, and students on health courses celebrating together by the water. In one, graduating PhD students pose together. In another, some graduates spray fizz. There is also a picture of a graduate at sunset.
Local people can take heart from this. Many of these graduates have studied, made friends and started careers in Ipswich. Alice is a good example, as she is already working for a much-loved local club.
To find out more about graduation at the University of Suffolk, visit the graduation page on the university website at uos.ac.uk/about/events/graduation. The university has also shared a Flickr album of photos from Graduation 2026. Each photo is credited to its photographer, because several people took pictures this year. If you are thinking about studying in Ipswich yourself, the university lists its open days at uos.ac.uk/opendays.
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