Our graduating students show their Essex Spirit

Although we cannot celebrate graduation on campus this year more than 5,000 final-year students have received their results this month as they join our global alumni community of over 100,000.

The University community is celebrating the inspiration, talent, ability, hard work and persistence that has helped our newest graduates complete their transformational Essex education.

In a week that would usually see thousands of new graduates and their families at our Colchester Campus for the highlight of the academic year, the Essex community is instead united in online and social media celebrations.

Our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Anthony Forster, had this message for our class of 2020 who it’s hoped will attend on-campus graduation ceremonies in 2021: “I very much look forward to welcoming our newest Essex graduates back to campus next year, to attend and enjoy the full celebrations you deserve.

“Obviously things are very different this year, and given the challenges we have all faced over the past few months, that makes your achievements even greater.

“Today marks the start of your next chapter. The journey from student to citizen of the world is not always easy but the class of 2020 is not alone, we are here to support you. You will be part of our community for life, and the world needs Essex graduates now more than ever.”

Studying at Essex is not just about getting a degree, it is also about getting an education. The class of 2020 have overcome enormous challenges to graduate. They have made a difference to the lives of others, grasped opportunities that will help further their careers, and found creative ways to enrich their university experience. All this week we celebrate their achievements.

Read stories from the class of 2020:

Macadie Amoroso - BA Acting and Contemporary Theatre

Joseph Barker - BSc Sport and Exercise Science

Nina Beckmann Gámez - BA International Relations and Modern Languages

Miles Clayton - BA in Modern History

Stanimira Dimitrova - BSc Business Management

Catherine Duggan - LLB Law

Stella Eckl - BA International Relations

Mick Ekers - BA Modern History

Amanda Horne - BA History

Natalia Kheldouni - BA Stage and Production Management

Sam Nelson - BSc Physiotherapy

Ijeoma Okolo - MSc Adult Nursing

Jacob Ottaway - BA Multimedia Journalism

Abena Prempah – LLB Law

Amber Scott - BA International Relations with Applied Quantitative Methods

Conor Walker - BSc Sports Therapy

Holly Worrall - BA Global Studies

Zina Younes - LLB Law with Human Rights