Graduates celebrate across the globe

(7 January 2021)

Thousands of our students around the world have come together virtually to graduate and join our international alumni community.

Following a year unlike any other, due to Covid-19 restrictions, we have marked the conferral of degrees through a pre-recorded message, presenting opportunities for our graduates to celebrate, no matter where they are.

Celebrating success

More than 3,500 graduating students from over 80 countries will receive their degrees in absentia this winter. The pre-recorded conferral from the Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor can now be viewed online and will remain available for several months for those unable to view it on the day.

The in absentia conferral is an opportunity for all to join in celebrating the success of our students in reaching this milestone, an event made even more special given the unprecedented challenges that 2020 delivered for our staff, students and graduates.

A truly global Durham

As with previous years, 2021 contains a breadth of international graduates. Alongside students from the UK and overseas including Austria, Peru and Zambia, 2021 sees a record number of Chinese graduates joining our global alumni community.

Our students’ relationship with Durham does not end at graduation – it's a lifelong journey with continued support from us, and from each other, wherever they go in the world.

Our alumni demonstrate the value of Durham’s inspirational education and student experience, in their many, varied achievements. And their relationship with Durham lives on in the friendships and connections that began here and continue to endure in what is a global community of extraordinary Durham people.

Share your celebration with us

We're all looking forward to celebrating together once Covid-19 restrictions ease, but in the meantime, we're asking our graduates to share their own celebrations with us on social media using the hashtags #DUCongregation, #DuGraduation and #DUinspire.

Heartfelt and huge congratulations to our graduates and we wish you every success for the future.

Find out more

Watch the in absentia conferral video

Learn more about Dunelm, our alumni community

Members of our alumni community have shared their experiences of unusual graduation experiences. Read more on our student blog site

Interested in joining our Durham University community? Find out more about studying with us.