Graduates in gowns and hats with their hands in the air. Behind them is a sign saying 'Congratulations Class of 2023'

Graduation Stories

Graduation Stories - Summer 2023

Stories from our Summer 2023 graduates.

Lynne Smith

Lynne Smith, Director of Central in Aberdeen, has been awarded an Honorary Degree from Robert Gordon University (RGU) during the University's graduation ceremonies this week.

Jeanette Forbes OBE

Jeanette Forbes OBE, recognised as a leading businesswoman in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM), has been awarded an Honorary Degree from Robert Gordon University (RGU) at their graduation ceremony on Wednesday 5 July.

Douglas Blackstock

Leader in higher education, Douglas Blackstock, has been awarded an Honorary Degree from Robert Gordon University (RGU) at its graduation ceremony this week.

Karen Darke MBE

Karen Darke MBE, a British Paralympic gold medallist who has achieved incredible sporting feats, has been awarded an Honorary Degree from Robert Gordon University (RGU).

Linda Bauld

Professor Linda Bauld OBE, who has been at the forefront of public health research in Scotland for the best part of 30 years, has been awarded an Honorary Degree from Robert Gordon University (RGU).

Gregor Townsend

Gregor Townsend, the Head Coach of Scotland’s rugby union team and former player who amassed an impressive 82 caps for his country, has been awarded an Honorary Degree from Robert Gordon University (RGU).

Annie Dyer

With a love of photography, Aberdonian Annie Dyer, is graduating with a BA in Photography with Distinction from Gray’s School of Art having gained invaluable experience working with underprivileged young people, whilst collaborating a project with Denis Law Legacy Trust’s Streetsport programme, run in partnership with RGU.

Lauren McCluskey

A talented Baillie Gifford Access scholar awarded financial support throughout her studies, Lauren is graduating in Communication Design and has ambitions to work in the third sector to support under-represented groups in society.

Jessica Reid

Jessica Reid from Irvine in North Ayrshire, is graduating with a BA (Hons) in Communication Design from Gray’s School of Art and is planning a move to Inverness to continue her career in the creative sector.

Connor Downie

After working in oil and gas, Connor wanted a change in direction and decided to leave the industry to pursue a more varied and creative career in architecture. He’s now graduating with a Master of Architecture with Distinction and has been nominated for a Silver Medal from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), and a RGU Art and Heritage Award.

Maxwell Wilson

A talented Master of Architecture student from RGU’s Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment, awarded a scholarship to the prestigious Scotland + Venice Professional Development programme.

Daniel Wisely

With a keen interest in construction, Daniel created a proposal for the new Aberdeen FC Football stadium as part of his degree and is looking forward to building on experience gained on an industry placement with Dandara, in his future career.

Caitlin Watson

An ambitious Master of Architecture graduate from Aberdeen, awarded the prestigious, international ‘Scotland + Venice’ scholar to work at the Venice Architecture Biennale in recognition of her outstanding talent in architecture.

Leanne Park

A qualified Digital Consultancy Lead, with an impressive track record in industry, chose to upskill further, and is graduating with a MSc in Construction Project Management.

James Alexander

Building on the success of his third-year placement, James has already secured his first job with a national housebuilder as an Architectural Technologist.

Caitlin Muirhead

A recent graduate from Aberdeen has set her sights on becoming a business teacher abroad having discovered her passion while achieving a first class honours degree at RGU.

Finn Stevenson Robb

A student from Banchory has taken full advantage of the benefits available to him on his course to graduate with a first class honours degree from Robert Gordon University.

Juliet Stephenson

A British-born graduate from France has epitomised the opportunities available to students at Robert Gordon University (RGU) having spent much of her course in both London and South Korea to achieve a first class degree, all with the backdrop of a global pandemic.

Billie Redgate

A mother from Kirriemuir who had already achieved one degree is graduating once again having been lured back by her long-time fascination of law.

Lydia Buchan

“Take the leap and go for it” is the advice from Lydia Buchan, 22, who has achieved a first class honours degree in Law at this Summer’s Robert Gordon University (RGU) graduation ceremonies.

Lauren Chisolm

An awe-inspiring Law student from Invergordon has graduated this week at Robert Gordon University having been fuelled by her passion of making societal differences and pushing herself beyond all expectations.

Allegra and Sam

Two RGU students with very different paths are graduating together this summer as part of a unique group who can rightly claim to be the first of their kind in Scotland.

Emma Davidson

A 30-year-old Robert Gordon University (RGU) student from Aberdeen who took an unconventional path to university has graduated with a first class honours, as well as a full-time job, in the field she craved after years of working and travelling.

Daji Mowoe-Oyetundun

An international student has credited RGU for turning both her personal and professional life around having thrived at the University, graduating with an award-winning merit and leaving as “refined gold”.

Ailsa Davidson

Being made redundant from a career in retail, encouraged 26-year-old Ailsa Davidson to refocus her priorities. With a realisation she wanted to help people, Ailsa was drawn to Nursing and is now starting her first job at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary after gaining a 2:1 in Adult Nursing.

Sophie Noble

With a passion to care for others and a strong family connection to the NHS, 21-year-old Sophie from Macduff, is starting her first job as a newly qualified midwife in the labour ward at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital.

Jhulia Salviano

Jhulia Salviano moved more than 5,500 miles away from her home in Brazil to Aberdeen to complete her MSc Public Health and Health Promotion at RGU.

Katie Johnson

When Katie Johnson walks across the stage at P&J Live she will be one of the very first graduates to complete the Doctorate of Physiotherapy at RGU.

Oliva Sanchez

When Oliva Sanchez walked across the stage at P&J Live her heart is bursting with pride at being the first Mexican to complete MSc Public Health and Health Promotion.

Rebekah Singer

With a love of netball Rebekah Singer knows that when she graduates at P&J Live it is the culmination of a journey that started at school.

Doireann McCaughley

For Doireann McCaughley graduating with MOccTh Occupational Therapy is the realisation of a teenage dream.

Duncan Pirie

When Duncan Pirie crossed the stage at P&J Live not only did he successfully mark the end of his studies but he is beginning a journey to improve the lives of others using his experiences in care and the skills he gained at RGU.

Iona MacQueen

Iona MacQueen feels she has broken barriers after earning a first class honours degree in Social Work.

Holly Grant

Having taken a year out between her studies to work at her local distillery and be closer to family during the pandemic, a Moray student is delighted to have now graduated and crossed the stage at Robert Gordon University’s Summer graduation ceremonies.

Morven Forsyth

A successfully graduating Robert Gordon University (RGU) student from Perth is well on her way to becoming a qualified pharmacist in Inverness and completing her journey round Scotland having enjoyed placement opportunities in both Aberdeen and Glasgow throughout her degree.

Irvyn Hall

Graduating with first class Honours in Software Development, Irvyn Hall is hoping to move into the industry after picking up the skills and knowledge to succeed at RGU.

Sulav Bhattachan

Sulav Bhattachan has successfully completed MSc Cyber Security and feels after his time at RGU that he is more than ready to make an impact on the industry.

Pamela Rosario Garrido Yanez

When Pamela Rosario Garrido Yanez from Mexico walked across the stage at P&J Live it marked the realisation of her dream of studying abroad.

Robert Paisley

Robert Paisley from Stonehaven is hopeful that his walk across the P&J Live stage to collect his first-class degree in Cyber Security will not be his last.

Keith Houghton

Keith Houghton from Stonehaven has set his sights on a promotion after graduating with MSc in Completion & Well Intervention Engineering.

Katie Grundy

Having already built-up experience in the energy sector as an analyst, Katie Grundy wanted to move into a different area and has managed to do this after successfully complete the MSc Drilling and Engineering course at RGU.

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