Back in 1988, the first ever graduation ceremony was held at Bristol Cathedral for a small group of surveying graduates (recorded in the Bristol Polytechnic News, March 1988).

The November 2023 graduations marked the final UWE Bristol Award Ceremonies to be held at Bristol Cathedral. So that’s 35 years of ceremonies, celebrations, and proud family photos. And myriads of mortar boards thrown in the air.

If you were one of those to receive your award in the cathedral, we hope you still hold happy memories of that important day, marking your well-earned achievement.

Look back at some highlights with us.

Do you remember the time when….

Two robed men took to skateboards (1988)

Alfred Morris (the then Director of Bristol Polytechnic) posed for an unusual graduation picture.

The Princess Royal was in attendance (1991)

The Polytechnic Director, the Princess Royal and the Chairman of Governors, Honorary Degree Ceremony 1991

Jeremiah Daliel received a standing ovation when he stood up from his wheelchair (2016)

Following a car accident five years previous, Jeremiah was in a wheelchair on the day he graduated with LLB(Hons) Law. He’d been in and out of hospital and was working hard at his rehabilitation. Buoyed by support in the cathedral he surprised everyone when he stood to receive his award. In an article in ‘The UWE Tab’ Jeremiah said,

“The roar of applause grew louder and louder and continued as if it was playing in my body. It was only when my aide alerted me that my whole class had stood up in support that I realised that these were not just classmates but my dear friends.”

Picture of a graduation ceremony with video play button — Watch the moment in a video on Facebook

The whole cathedral froze (2016)

In 2016, we managed to convince a cathedral full of graduates, academics, and family and friends to freeze for a ‘mannequin challenge video’.

Picture of graduates in a Cathedral, with video play button — Mannequin challenge video on Facebook

The marriage proposal (2022)

As if one milestone was not enough, just minutes after Kelly graduated on 22 November 2022, she got engaged to her partner Christian.

Picture f a graduate and partner, with text "Is that a yes" and video play button — Watch the proposal on X

A father and daughter graduate together (2023)

The Chu family are proud to have a total of three UWE Bristol degrees between them. Oliver studied both his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees here. Sadly he couldn’t attend his MA Graphic Arts graduation, but a perfect opportunity presented itself…

When his daughter Lizzie graduated from her Adult Nursing degree course this summer, Oliver seized the chance to join her. Watch the moment they graduated together (clip on TikTok).

Family portrait photo, including two graduates — Father and daughter graduates (with mother/wife and grandmother) outside graduation ceremony.

And finally a favourite from Vice-Chancellor Steve West

Still of a video taken at a Graduation ceremony, with play button — Watch Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Bristol Peaches Golding’s dance (on X)

“There have been tens of thousands of graduates who have graduated from the Cathedral. Millions of memories, happy families and loved ones joining in celebrating the successes of our graduates. Each one unique, each one special and each one transformational.

I think one of my highlights was awarding the Lord Lieutenant of Bristol Peaches Golding an honorary doctorate and her capping it off with a celebratory dance!

What a moment – tradition, fun and humanity to make a special memory. Thank you to the Cathedral for years of supporting us to make the most spectacular memories.“
Professor Sir Steve West CBE, DL, Vice-Chancellor, President and CEO, UWE Bristol

So, what’s next?

From this year, Bristol Beacon (formerly Colston Hall) will be the home of our graduation ceremonies. UWE Bristol is excited to be partnering with Bristol’s world class music, education, and cultural venue.

Over the years at the cathedral, we found we were unable to provide a truly inclusive ceremony for all our graduates and guests due to the limitations of such a historic building.

The Bristol Beacon has recently reopened following a multi-million-pound refit. The stunning refurbished grade II listed concert hall in Bristol city centre will provide an equitable, accessible, and inclusive experience for all.

Find more information about our partnership with Bristol Beacon on our news pages.

The newly refurbished Beacon Hall, Bristol Beacon

UWE Bristol alumni – quick links

UWE Bristol Alumni homepage

Join Alumni Connect online mentoring network

Explore Alumni benefits and discounts

Support UWE Bristol Fund

Congratulations to Fine Art alum Valda Jackson, who received an MBE for services to Art in the New Years Honours List. Valda is a multidisciplinary artist and a published writer. Her practice explores the psychology of migration, identity and loss, and creates work about human existence and survival.

About Valda’s work

In her public art, Valda depicts stories interrogating our past and present through sculpture. In 2017, her collaborative public art practice Jackson and Harris won the PMSA Marsh Award for excellence in public sculpture.

Last year, Valda designed a new commemorative 50p coin to mark 75 years since HMT Empire Windrush arrived in the UK. This year Valda has a Summer exhibition at the Royal West of England Academy.

Girls Pinafore, St John’s Hall Peabody London, 2016 by Valda Jackson (Jackson and Harris)

She has previously shown at The National Portrait Gallery, Royal West of England Academy Bristol and private galleries; and has lectured at the Royal College of Art, UCE Birmingham and presented papers at International Conferences in Universities across Europe.

Valda is currently a resident artist at Spike Island in Bristol – the internationally renowned contemporary art centre.

Summer show at Royal West of England Academy (RWA)

Valda is currently working towards her upcoming solo show at the RWA in Bristol. The exhibition’s main focus is the interest of the child of migration.

“It is about family – specifically children who are separated from parents who leave them behind to work abroad; some will wait years before joining their parents. But some children, for whatever reason, are never sent for, and they grow into adulthood away from parents, separated by more than just seas and continents.”
she explains.

The exhibition opens 25 May – 11 August 2024 at RWA, Bristol.

Valda designs new 50p coin to mark Windrush’s 75th anniversary

The coin pays tribute to the many British Caribbean and Commonwealth citizens who came to the UK between 1948 and 1973.

“My parents were among the generation of people invited to leave their home in the Caribbean to come and work in Britain. I joined them at the age of five.”
Valda explains.

The image on the 50-pence piece depicts two people of the Windrush generation against a backdrop of the Union Jack flag.

“My design is more than a celebration of one moment. It is an acknowledgement of the real, lived experience of generations of ordinary working people. And though we may have struggled, and we still struggle in many ways, we and our descendants are, in fact, at home.

The coin honours our parents and their legacy; and celebrates our presence, achievements, and contributions that continue to enrich our society.”
she says.

Valda at UWE Bristol

Valda studied BA(Hons) Fine Art at Bower Ashton, graduating in 1989 (from the then Bristol Polytechnic). As a student Valda worked at gaining skills that she continues to develop now.

“I had already begun to make images that had at their core our shared histories and experiences”
Valda reflects.

She still maintains a connection to UWE Bristol, hosting students in her Spike Island studio for talks, and mentoring individual students.

More information about Valda:

Valda’s website

Valda at Spike Island

Valda’s collaborative public art practice Jackson and Harris

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Month: January 2024

A fond farewell – 35 years of Bristol Cathedral graduations