Celebrating Graduation 2021

On Thursday 11 November the UCO welcomed back graduates from 2020 and 2021 for a double Graduation ceremony at Central Hall Westminster.

The day was a joyous occasion, providing an opportunity for recent graduates to celebrate the culmination of their studies with family, friends, colleagues and staff at the UCO. It was particularly special as it followed the cancellation of last year's ceremony due to the ongoing pandemic.

Over 200 graduates attended the event, many travelling from overseas, to be presented with their awards by the UCO's Chancellor, HRH The Princess Royal. The Chancellor, who has attended all of the UCO's graduation ceremonies for the past 35 years, also gave a short address to the assembled guests and chatted to graduates and their families during the reception that followed.

Steven Vogel, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the UCO, said of the day:

"Graduation is always a happy event, marking the achievements of our graduates and the contributions of the family and friends who have supported them throughout their studies. It is also an opportunity for us to come together again as a UCO community and to find out how our graduates are doing since leaving us. I am incredibly proud to see our graduates successfully embarking on the next chapters of their careers and wish them the best of luck for the exciting journey that awaits them."

In addition to the presentation of awards, a number graduates and current students were recognised with prizes for exceptional performance.

Gold Medal winners Albert Obeng and Luke Cottam both gave addresses to their fellow graduating students at the event, with Albert saying:

"It has been a long four and in some cases five years of hard work and sacrifice to get to this point. But it’s just the beginning of another exciting chapter to make a contribution to our communities. If you have ambitions of starting your own clinic, practising osteopathy abroad or whatever your dreams maybe, DO IT, you never know where it may get you.”

Luke adds:

"The world is full of opportunities and next time one appears, please, go and find out, what’s the worst that could happen if you say yes?".

The full list of prizewinners is as follows:

Gold Medal for Academic Excellence - Albert Obeng (2020) and Luke Cottam (2021)
Silver Medal for Academic Excellence - Maite Delafin (2020), Meghan Reed (2020), Julia Homersham (2021) and Cindy Milway (2021)
RK Hardy Prize for Best Dissertation - Maite Delafin (2020), Jasmine Fisher (2021) and Cindy Milway (2021)
LM Naidoo Prize for Practical Osteopathic Skills - Sophie Vivian (2020) and Mathieu Barre (2021)
Sven Svenson Bursary - Iona Bernard (2020) and Laura Forrest (2021)
Vice-Chancellors Prize for Clinical Excellence - Meghan Reed (2020) and Holly Westwood (2021)
Postgraduate Certificate in Animal Osteopathy Prize - Diana Drury (2020)
Postgraduate Certificate in Academic and Clinical Education Prize - Sophie Tully (2020)
Postgraduate Certificate in Specialist Paediatric Osteopathic Education Prize - Alexandra Bidlake-Corser (2020) and Carolina Vaccari (2021)
Master of Science in Osteopathy (Pre-Registration) First Year Prize - Sorin-Ionut Dumbrava (2020)
Master of Science in Osteopathy (Pre-Registration) Second Year Prize - Francesca Serraggiotto (2020) and Sorin-Ionut Dumbrava (2021)
Master of Osteopathy Full-time Third Year Prize - Holly Westwood (2020) and Paula Andrade (2021)
Master of Osteopathy Full-time Second Year Prize - Mollie Tappenden (2020) and Emily Horsley (2021)
Master of Osteopathy Full-time First Year Prize - Mia Barclay (2020) andDaisy Rawlings (2021)
Master of Osteopathy Part-time Fourth Year Prize - Cindy Milway (2020) and Laura Forrest (2021)
Master of Osteopathy Part-time Third Year Prize - Ian Greaves (2020) and Claire Massey (2021)
Master of Osteopathy Part-time Second Year Prize - Caroline Kinnane (2020) and Kimberley Mills (2021)
Master of Osteopathy Part-time First Year Prize - Nathaniel Farmer (2020) and Sophie Cheshire (2021)
Master of Science in Osteopathic Medicine Prize - Camilla Casara (2021) and Michela Ruzza (2021)
Bachelor of Science with Honours in Osteopathic Sciences Prize - Alberto Ferrero (2020) and Banfi Alessia (2021)
Access to HE Diploma Prize - David Hanaie (2020), Oresztesz Szantai (2021) and David Thrower (2021)

Our thanks to everyone who attended the event and made it such a special day. We wish all our graduates the best of luck with their careers and look forward to you returning and sharing your experiences with us!

A small selection of photographs can be viewed below. To view all photographs from this year's ceremony can be viewed on our Flickr page
Were you at the event? Share your graduation photos with us on Twitter @UCOLondon and Instagram @officialUCO, using #UCOGrad
Inspired to join the UCO? Browse our courses and visit us at one of our Open Days