Students celebrated at annual graduation ceremony

Students from the University of Suffolk at West Suffolk College celebrate their graduation day Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Family, friends and civic leaders joined proud students who received their degrees during a prestigious ceremony at St Edmundsbury Cathedral on Saturday.

The event started with a procession through the Abbey Gardens to the cathedral before the traditional graduation ceremony and celebration afterwards.

Our photographer captured the happy students and their families celebrating their achievements.

More than 250 students graduated in a range of subjects and courses - 51 with first class honours and four with distinctions in their foundation degrees.

Students from the University of Suffolk at West Suffolk College celebrate their graduation day Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

There were also 12 prizes awarded to inspirational students who were nominated by tutors and sponsored by businesses and organisations across the region.

Rachel Kirk, head of higher education at West Suffolk College, said: "These students are the embodiment of the character strengths we seek to instil in all of our students.

"Some may have faced pressure, adversity and setbacks, but everyone has carried on. These students refused to give up on their dreams. We are immensely proud of them"

Students from the University of Suffolk at West Suffolk College celebrate their graduation day Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Students from the University of Suffolk at West Suffolk College celebrate their graduation day Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Students from the University of Suffolk at West Suffolk College celebrate their graduation day Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Davide, Alessandro and Manuela Lombardi celebrate the day Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Leanne Savage and Megan Coleman celebrating their graduation day Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Chiedozie Uzor, Sophie Williams and Kya Butcher celebrate their graduation day Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Leanne Savage and Megan Coleman celebrating their graduation day Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Caty Bance-Johnson and Jade Perry mark the occasion by throwing their hats in the air Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Early Years lecturers Teresa Jarvis and Nicola Thompson Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Chiedozie Uzor, Sophie Williams and Kya Butcher celebrate their graduation day Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Students from the University of Suffolk at West Suffolk College celebrate their graduation day Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Students from the University of Suffolk at West Suffolk College celebrate their graduation day Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)