Inspiring career changes and lifelong dreams to be celebrated at UEA Graduation 2026

By: Communications

Two graduates in gowns and black caps are smiling at each other, with a crowd of people in the background behind them

Image credit: David Kirkham

Inspiring career changes, lifelong ambitions fulfilled, and a range of honorary graduates – from rugby star Ben Youngs to TV presenter Maddie Moate – will be celebrated at this year’s UEA graduation week.

This July, more than 4,400 students will be returning to the University of East Anglia (UEA) campus to celebrate with their loved ones.

Hosted at the UEA Sportspark, from Monday 13 to Friday 17 July, undergraduate and postgraduate students will be celebrating their hard work and success, as they receive their degrees across 11 ceremonies.

Honorary graduates

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

Those honoured this year include conservationist Jake Fiennes, who manages the Holkham Estate and is related to actors Ralph and Joseph Fiennes; TV presenter, YouTuber and STEM advocate Maddie Moate; and former England rugby player Ben Youngs.

The full ceremony list can be found below:

Monday 13 July

Dame Bobbie Cheema-Grubb (Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb), who is the first Asian woman to serve as a High Court judge in the UK, will receive the Honorary Doctor of Law award.

Tuesday 14 July

Maddie Moate is a BAFTA-winning television presenter, YouTuber and children's author, with a focus on introducing and enthusing young people to STEM subjects.

She will receive the Honorary Doctor of Science award.

Wednesday 15 July

Jake Fiennes is the director of conservation at the Holkham Estate, which covers 25,000 acres in north Norfolk – one of the country's largest historic country estates. He has had a 30-year career in conservation, game-keeping and land management.

He will receive the Honorary Doctor of Science award.

Thursday 16 July

Nigel Cooper, who is a physicist and Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Cambridge, will receive the Honorary Doctor of Law award.

Friday 17 July

Ben Youngs is a former professional England rugby union player, who played as a scrum-half for Premiership Rugby club Leicester Tigers. Hailing from Aylsham, Youngs is a quintuple Premiership Rugby champion and has earned 127 caps for the England national rugby union team – making him the most-capped men's player in English history.

He will receive the Honorary Doctor of Civil Law award.

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