More than 1,000 students were awarded for their success in numerous subjects during five separate ceremonies at the festival theatre across the two days.

To see a picture gallery from the graduations click here.

Proud family and friends packed out the theatre to watch the graduates formally receive their accolades, before posing for photographs outside in the sunshine.

Vice-chancellor Dr Robin Baker praised the hard work and determination of students and staff alike.

"As always, it was a time of great celebration," he said. "We were delighted to award degrees, diplomas and certificates to a record number of University of Chichester graduates."

Among the youth of the celebrating students was 70-year-old Carole Rogers, who passed her BA Honours in music.

Mrs Rogers from Aldwick, Bognor Regis said she has loved playing music all her life and had been involved with several semi-professional music groups.

A graduate from the previous year's music course kept encouraging Mrs Rogers to take up the course, but she refused.

In the end her friend arranged for a meeting between the pensioner and the course tutor and Mrs Rogers was offered a place.

She said: "It means everything to me. For the first time in my life I have succeeded in something. It has been a great year in which I have celebrated my 70th birthday and got my degree.

"It was very, very hard because it was quite a big learning curve. The university was absolutely fantastic – all the students got on really well.

"I did not feel out of place. They never made me feel as though I should not be there."

Mrs Rogers is now hoping to go on to complete an MA course.


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