In pictures: University of Bedfordshire students celebrate graduation day

Broadcaster, actor and former England rugby international Martin Bayfield, television producer Sid Cole, and a host of special guests joined the hundreds of students this week for the special day.

Students from the Faculty of Health, Community and Life Sciences, the Faculty of Technologies, Education and Social Sciences, and the Business School crossed the stage to receive their degrees and celebrate their academic achievements in the surroundings of the stunning Putteridge Bury campus.

Professor Deborah Johnston MBE, Vice Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire, told the new graduates: “My advice to you is simple: be curious, keep learning, be courageous, don't be afraid to take opportunities that stretch you, and be kind. Success is important, but how you achieve it - and how you treat people along the way - matters just as much.

“Thank you for making Bedfordshire your university. You’ve made an impact, built lasting memories, and helped shape who we are. Today you become graduates of the University of Bedfordshire, but you also become lifelong members of our community.”

The ceremonies also recognised the achievements of two outstanding individuals with honorary awards.

Martin Bayfield – sportsman, broadcaster, actor and charitable advocate – was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Sport in recognition of his outstanding contribution to rugby and charitable causes.

University of Bedfordshire alumnus Sid Cole – an acclaimed television producer whose career has included work on programmes such as Blue Peter – received an Honorary Doctor of Arts in recognition of his outstanding services to television and the media industry.

Graduates also heard from a range of guests of honour throughout the ceremonies, including Kimberley Campbell-Lamb, director of legitimacy and public service at Bedfordshire Police; Gill Walton, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives; Richard Cooper, president of the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce; and Sunny Araf, managing director at ISA Support Services, who all shared their experiences and words of encouragement with the class of 2026.

During the week, the University's Chancellor, Sarfraz Manzoor, also joined graduates and their families for the celebrations, delivering an inspiring address and joining the Vice Chancellor in presenting degrees to students from the Faculty of Technologies, Education and Social Sciences.

Academic prizes were also presented to students who demonstrated exceptional achievement during their studies. These included the Sir Ian Dixon Memorial Prize, awarded to the best student on a professional management course, and the newly established Marion Wood Prize, recognising outstanding creative use of digital technologies.