COLLEGE students have celebrated an array of achievements at the University Centre Graduation Ceremony.

This year’s Bury College event featured two ceremonies and saw more than 280 students gather at The Met in Bury, joined by friends, family and tutors.

A parade took place before each ceremony, starting at the centre building and ending at The Met, where students accepted certificates in health care, sports science, beauty management and more.

One of the graduates was Courtney Henderson, who obtained a first-class honours degree in beauty management, She has gone on to set up her own beauty therapy and massage business, ByCourt.

She said: “I really enjoyed my course, the tutors were so helpful and the support they gave me throughout the course was amazing. Even throughout Covid-19 and online teaching, they went above and beyond to make sure we had all the resources we needed. I am really proud and shocked to have got a first.”

The evening began with a welcome address by college principal Charlie Deane, who introduced this year’s recipient of the centre's honorary award, Dawn Fidler, founder of The Joshua Wilson Brain Tumour Charity.

Dawn founded the charity with her 13-year-old son, Josh, who had a brain tumour, and has continued its work after his death, to support children with brain tumours and their families.

Dawn said: “It is an honour to be recognised and to have the work SuperJosh do in the community celebrated in this way. I would like to offer my congratulations to all the graduates and wish them all the best for the future.”

Lisa Matthews, the college's higher education curriculum director, said: “We are immensely proud of our graduates and their achievements, and wish them the best of luck as they continue on in their careers or further their education. The college’s university centre is located in the centre of Bury - very much at the heart of our community, making it an accessible place of learning, development and growth.

“The celebrated success of our students is testament to the vision and commitment of our staff and governors and we remain ambitious and committed to the cause.”