Autumn graduation 2022

Our Autumn 2022 graduation ceremonies were held at the University of London's Senate House from Tuesday 8 to Thursday 10 November.

Graduating students were addressed and congratulated by Professor David Latchman CBE, Vice-Chancellor; Baroness Joan Bakewell, President; Professor Joanna Bourke, College Orator; academic staff; alumni; and four new Fellows of the College: Sue Betts, Lord Johnson of Marylebone, Hugh Ferrand and Nicholas Keep.

Autumn graduation saw over 800 students, predominately undergraduates, graduate. Here are some of remarkable personal stories.

Graduation stories: blogs

"I'm still a victim but now I'm a graduate, I'm something else alongside it"

Usha Rasagopal graduated with a BA English degree, a great feat given her tumultuous journey to Birkbeck.

"It's been a life-affirming experience"

When Richard Harvey reached retirement, he wanted to challenge the expectations of what retired life could look like and did a degree in BA French Studies.

"I'm the first person from my household to go to university and the importance of that isn't lost on me"

Paddy Munyui studied BSc Business while also running his own music management company, with Brit Award nominated talent.

“Birkbeck understood my circumstances, and helped achieve my dream of becoming a lawyer”

Gladys Paulsen graduated with an LLB Law and Commercial Law degree and is embarking on a new career in law after a 20-year career in sales.

From Barcelona to Birkbeck to the world of banking

Pere Gesti is a BSc Financial Economics graduate who came to London from Barcelona, Spain, to study a Dual Degree.

“I’m capable of much more than I ever imagined”

Despite struggling with education due to illness, Chantelle Ewen fulfilled her dream and graduated with a BSc Criminology and Criminal Justice.

Graduating as a couple and changing their lives for the better together

Henry and Raisa Capetian have been together for seven years and they both graduated on the same day with Economics degrees.

Graduation stories: videos

"Birkbeck is so accommodating for parents"

Bethany Hayter - O'Connell is a single parent who studied BA Media and Culture.

"I didn't do well in my GCSEs or go to College, but a few years later I've graduated from a degree!"

Fara Johnson graduated with a BSc Information Technology degree despite not doing well in his GCSEs or going to college.

"Knowledge is key for the next generation which is why I'm going into teaching"

BA History graduate Fatiha Khanam explains why she wants to become a history teacher, and how she discovered she was dyslexic at Birkbeck.

Why join Birkbeck clubs and societies?

BA Film and Media graduate, Raquim Coker, talks about the clubs and societies he joined at Birkbeck, and how they influenced his plans for life after finishing his studies.

Moving to London from Colombia to study and change career

Maria Marzola graduated with a Graduate Diploma in History of Art and Architecture and explains why she decided to change careers from being an attorney.

"You can chase academic success whilst having a creative role or business"

Paddy Munyui studied BSc Business while also running his own music management company and shares his story in a video and blog listed above.

"I've never received support like this before"

Chantelle Ewen struggled with education due to illness but was determined to graduate with a BSc Criminology and Criminal Justice. She shares her story in a video and blog listed above.

"It's never too late"

Richard Harvey chose to do a BA French Studies degree in his retirement and shares his story in a video as well as a blog listed above.

What's great about Birkbeck's diverse student body?

Gabriel Jamroz, BA History of Art with Curating graduate, went straight from school to studying at Birkbeck.

A tumultuous journey to Birkbeck

Usha Rasagopal shares her story in a video as well as a blog listed above, highlighting her journey to Birkbeck as a refugee from Sri Lanka.

Changing careers: from 20 years in sales to becoming a lawyer

Gladys Paulson, LLB Law and Commercial Law graduate, shares her story of changing careers in a video as well as a blog listed above.