Caps off to success! Chichester College Group graduates shine at graduation 2025
A day filled with pride and excitement as students from across the Chichester College Group (CCG) gathered for a ceremony that truly celebrated their achievements.
Graduates from across CCG’s five Colleges – Brighton MET, Brinsbury, Chichester, Crawley and Northbrook – gathered at Chichester Cathedral on Thursday 27 November, as they marked the completion of their university-level and professional courses.
One of the students celebrating completing their course was Nathan Jones, who recently completed a BA (Hons) in Music Production at Northbrook College. He had flown in the morning of his ceremony from North Carolina specifically for the ceremony.
He reflected on his favourite moment from the course, saying:
“There was a band I was in for most of my time on the course, and it helped me complete a lot of coursework…and specifically it was when I was bored walking around, and I found my buddy Liam in a practice room, and we just started going and jamming with him and the band he was already forming.”
When asked which person he would like to thank for graduating, he said:
“Even though I think he was my course tutor for my last year, he was always present and helping me get through my course because I’m very unorganised, right up to the very last minute. And he definitely helped me through that a significant amount.
Students graduating on the day had completed a variety of degrees – from professional qualifications to higher national diplomas and certificates (HNDs and HNCs) in subjects ranging from Engineering and Construction Management, to Computing and Leadership and Management.
Another one of our inspirational students was Eleanor Claridge, who studied Animal Management at Brinsbury College.
“My tutors and classmates made it a very fun and engaging environment, you always wanted to be there, it wasn’t much about the course you were studying, it was about the student life and really embracing everything that was around you.
During her time at the college, she was also the student president – on the topic she said:
“Working alongside Beth Hutchinson doing the student voice, she helped me grow in confidence, she showed me that anxiety wasn’t my enemy and that I can really impact other students’ lives and give them a way to flourish in college life.”
Sakhile Khanye completed a PGCE Teacher Training course at Brighton MET College, describing the day as ‘very emotional’. She explained why she decided to get into teaching, saying:
“I was already working with children and young people, and I thought I wanted to just, like, broaden my career choices. So, I decided to get into teaching, and it’s the best choice I’ve ever made.”
When asked what her experience was like studying in the course, she said:
“I think ever since I started doing my teaching degree, I have viewed the world differently. I get to understand the children and young people more. I get too well in my job, I have to get to the roots to make, to understand their behaviours”.
Chichester Cathedral provided a stunning backdrop for three memorable ceremonies, each dedicated to honouring the commitment and accomplishments of graduates from all walks of life. The events were attended by proud families, university staff, and guests eager to share in this momentous occasion.
Vicki Illingworth, Executive Principal and Deputy Chief Executive of CCG, led the proceedings for all three, she said:
“It is a privilege each and every year to see all our students graduate and celebrate with their friends and family – it is one of my favourite dates in the calendar for myself and our team across all our colleges.
“We are also so fortunate to celebrate these fantastic achievements of all our students at Chichester Cathedral, a perfect venue which very much befits the occasion.
“I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2025 and wish them every success as they embark on the next exciting chapter of their lives. We can’t wait to see the incredible achievements that lie ahead.”
To hear more about the range of university-level courses offered across our group, please click here.