Graduation 2025 begins with bright student futures on the horizon

By: Communications

Two students celebrating their graduation with a hug; they are wearing black caps and blue gowns

Image credit: David Kirkham

This summer, from Monday 14 to Friday 18 July, more than 5,300 students will be returning to the UEA campus to celebrate graduation with their friends and family.

The graduation week will once again be hosted at the Sportspark on the UEA campus, where undergraduate and postgraduate students will be celebrating their successes and receiving their degrees across 13 ceremonies.

Here’s three stories to look out for during the week:

Imogen La Chapelle

On Monday (15 July), MBBS Medicine student Imogen will be graduating, after which she will soon begin working as a resident doctor at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge:

“I’m really excited to finally put five years of hard work into practice,” she says, “and be able to make a difference in people’s lives.”

Split image: Left shows a person in green scrubs and a hair net taking a selfie; right shows the same person smiling outdoors in casual attire. Images: Imogen La Chapelle

Katherine Howe

A New York Times bestselling author, award-winning historian and novelist, Katherine will be graduating on Wednesday 16 July.

A chance conversation at Colgate University in New York introduced Katherine to the PhD by Publication, before she then decided to complete her doctorate at UEA – drawn in by its strong reputation in American Studies:

“I have loved exploring Norwich. I particularly enjoy how walkable it is, and poking around old inns and taverns along the riverbank.”

Monica Curran

Graduating on Thursday 17 July, Monica will receive her PhD in her 80th year for her doctoral research on discourse analysis, based on her previous work as a research assistant with older people.

She completed her PhD while filming as part of a BAFTA-winning documentary on the Manchester Corinthians women’s football team – of which Monica is a former player – to commemorate their successes in the park where they trained.

A full list of the ceremonies can be found on the UEA website.

Honorary graduates

UEA will also be awarding honorary degrees to five individuals for outstanding accomplishments in their field, or for exceptional contributions to the community:

Monday 14 July

Lady Philippa Dannatt MBE, who is Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk – the first woman to take on the prestigious role and Patron of The Gloucester 1682 Charitable Trust – will receive the Honorary Doctor of Civil Law award.

Tuesday 15 July

Nina Nannar is the current Arts Editor and and a presenter for ITV News, where she covers stories in the world of arts and entertainment. She will receive the Honorary Doctor of Letters award.

Wednesday 16 July

Dame Nicole Jacobs, who is the first Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, will receive the Honorary Doctor of Civil Law award.

Thursday 17 July

HG Koolesh Shah is a hotelier, founder of the London Town Group and Co-Chair of Conservative Friends of India, and will receive the Honorary Doctor of Civil Law award. He is also a UEA alum, having studied in the School of Economic and Social Studies (BA) from 1973-76.

Friday 18 July

Thomas Sharpe KC – an accomplished barrister specialising in competition, European law, and utility regulation – will receive the Honorary Doctor of Laws award.

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Graduation 2025: Imogen La Chapelle

Read about Imogen’s story at UEA, that took her from the Preparing for Medicine programme in 2019, to graduating with MBBS Medicine in 2025, and now looking ahead to becoming a resident doctor at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

Graduation 2025: Monica Curran

Read about Monica’s inspiring journey, from being a female footballer for a top team when it was banned in the 1960s, winning a Veterans’ running team title, to completing her PhD in Health Sciences at the age of 79 here at UEA.

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