Winter Graduation 2025
News
Graduates celebrate their achievements at Winter Graduation 2025
Wednesday, 5 February, 2025Tuesday 4 February marked an exciting day in the academic calendar, as friends, family, and loved ones gathered at The Forum in Bath to celebrate the exceptional achievements of Bath Spa University’s class of 2025.
The ceremonies included postgraduate students from BSU’s School of Education, Bath Business School, Bath Spa University London, Bath School of Art, Film and Media, Bath School of Design, Bath School of Music and Performing Arts, School of Sciences, and School of Writing, Publishing and the Humanities, including a diverse group of international and mature students.
A pivotal turning point in their academic careers, Winter Graduation highlights the hard work and perseverance of our students, shining a spotlight on their successes.
This year, students from across the University, including Bath Spa University London, donned caps and gowns to receive their awards.
The morning and early afternoon ceremonies opened with an address from Professor Georgina Andrews, who joined the congregation for the first time as the University’s newly installed Vice-Chancellor, alongside Academic Staff and BSU’s Chancellor, Sharanjit Leyl. While the 4 pm ceremony was led by Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rebecca Schaaf.
After the ceremony, students were invited to The Architect, a traditional pub on the ground floor and basement of the iconic Empire Hotel in Bath.
The venue provided a special set menu that students could pre-book and a space for graduates to meet up with their fellow students, spend time with their academic course teams, and enjoy a complimentary post-ceremony drink, canapes and photographs upon arrival.
Suzanne Harris, Audience Experience and Development Leader at BSU discussed the event:
“We were so pleased to return to the beautiful Architect for our Winter Graduation celebrations. As well as the bar and canapes, students could book a special celebration menu. Everyone enjoyed the food and the great atmosphere, and we’re so grateful to the staff at the Architect, who always make us welcome."
During the ceremonies, Chancellor, Sharanjit Leyl took the opportunity to spotlight individuals who exemplify the remarkable achievements of the Bath Spa University community, including BSU graduate and Reader in English and Creative Writing Samantha Harvey, who won this year’s prestigious Booker Prize.
She also acknowledged Professor Peter Etchells, who brought home the British Psychology Book Award in 2024, stating that his triumph was “another huge feather in our cap” and BSU graduate turned Mayor of Bath, Cllr Michelle O’Doherty.
Sharanjit said:
“And right here in the UNESCO World Heritage site that is Bath, our very own mayor of Bath, Michelle O’Doherty has taken all that she’s learned from BSU to great heights. A round of applause for these remarkable people.”
Another nod towards BSU’s success was Sharanjit’s robes, designed for her ceremonial appearances by Fashion Design student Daisy Jackson with Fashion and Textile Design graduate, Eloise Atwell, co-founder of Jokoto Tailoring in Bristol, bringing the design to life and tailoring the robes.
Laced with BSU's creative flair, the robes recognised Sharanjit’s Singaporean and Indian heritage and culture. Daisy said:
"I wanted Sharanjit to be able to celebrate her heritage through her robes in a way that beautifully presented Singapore and Indian culture, silhouettes and textile techniques. I wanted the robes to be a personification of Sharanjit’s culture and heritage.”
Sharanjit closed her speech, urging the new graduates to “Go out here, change the world” and “seize the opportunities that fill you with confidence, creativity and curiosity,” before handing it back to Professor Georgina Andrews, who left the auditorium with this message:
“Your aspirations may be humble, or they may be intergalactic. They may fluctuate over time. But remember, we will always be here for our alumni, whichever path you choose to follow.”