Students who completed university-level qualifications at Uxbridge College put on mortar boards and gowns for their formal graduation.

The students celebrated their Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) at the ceremony at Brunel University on Wednesday November 7.

They graduated in business, computing and engineering subjects at higher education level, which means they have studied at undergraduate level.

Laraine Smith, Principal of Uxbridge College, said: “I would like to congratulate every one of our higher education graduates this year.

“Gaining an HNC or HND is a terrific achievement academically, vocationally and personally. It takes tremendous commitment and determination to succeed at this level, particularly when you may also be juggling work and a family.

“I am delighted to see how many of our students are going on to university, often joining the third year. It is good that we are able at Uxbridge College to provide options which make completing a degree affordable and achievable.

“For those who are now looking for jobs, they are in an excellent position to compete as they have gained the excellent practical and academic skills that are highly valued by employers.”

The graduates received their certificates and diplomas from Dr Beverley Crooks, Chair of Governors at Uxbridge College. She is also a widening participation officer at Brunel, working to increase the number of people at university from currently under-represented groups.

Each year around 50% of the college’s HND graduates go straight into the third year of an Honours degree, or fourth in the case of sandwich courses. The rest continue working or look for a new role at a senior or management level.

Among this year’s graduates were: Jagdeesh Sekhon, 24, who completed an HND in Business. Jadgeesh, who is hearing impaired and has had the help of a communicator at college, wants to work in recruitment consultancy placing both hearing and hearing impaired people in jobs.

Charlotte Looney, 20, who did an HND in Business and was accompanied at her graduation by her family, including her two year old son Benji. After getting distinctions in all her units of study she has joined a BA Hons in Business Management at Oxford Brookes University in the third year. She has also worked as a Marketing Co-ordinator at Personal Career Management throughout her studies.

Smit Parmar, 22, who did an HND in Electrical/Electronic Engineering and has now joined a BEng Honours degree at the University of Greenwich in the third year, after getting 14 distinctions out of a possible 16.

Sam Parker, 24, who did an HND in Business and has now joined a degree at the University of Middlesex in the third year.

Olivia Omale, 24, who did an HND in Computing & IT. She now hopes to get a job or apply to university.