Over 700 apprentices graduate from their degree apprenticeship at Manchester Metropolitan University

Taking place at The Bridgewater Hall on 18 July, we held two graduation ceremonies dedicated exclusively to degree apprentices, due to the large number of graduates. Apprentices representing employers from a range of industries and sectors, large multinational organisations, and small and medium enterprises, joined us from across the country to take to the stage to receive their awards.  

Our graduates included managers and senior leaders, digital marketers, social workers, nursing and healthcare professionals, laboratory scientists, digital and technology solutions professionals and specialists, and for the first time, user experience professionals. More than 2,500 apprentices have now graduated from Manchester Met’s degree apprenticeship programmes since 2019. 

Professor Andy Dainty, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Education at Manchester Metropolitan University said:  

We want to thank our employer partners, who have supported our students by providing fantastic opportunities to flourish. It’s a pleasure to work with such forward-thinking organisations. Our graduates had great success and impact both at the University and in their workplaces, with many being promoted, some more than once, while on their apprenticeship programme.

In fact, there have been some outstanding achievements, with many of our apprentices recognised at local, regional, and national awards.

It was a joyous day, with graduates from both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes eagerly coming together to celebrate each other and their own successes. 

Simon-Peter Lincoln, a Digital User Experience degree apprentice at Apadmi and part of the first cohort of this programme to graduate with us, reflected on his apprenticeship journey with us and shared: “Unlike my first degree, we were all in quite a unique position (working in the same field) and I feel that that brought us together, even if we rarely see each other. It feels amazing to graduate, I’ve done it before, but this one feels different. All the work I’ve put in over the past 4 years has come to fruition.” 

Gosha Walczak, a Chartered Manager in Health and Social Care degree apprentice at the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, graduated last week and said: “I never thought that after earning my first degree back in Poland ten years ago, I would be again doing a degree in a different country. But I did, I feel proud of myself.” 

The Manchester Met degree apprenticeship programmes have benefitted hundreds of employers since their conception in 2015. Last week, more than 207 employers joined us to celebrate their apprentice’s achievements.

Our employer partner, Carolyn McKenna, Head of Security Demand, Capability & Awareness at Smart DCC attended the graduation ceremony to witness four of their apprentices graduating this year. She shared with us about the impact apprenticeships have had on her organisation: “By investing in degree apprentices at Smart DCC, we are able to cultivate a strong talent pipeline. This not only assists us in addressing skill shortages but also helps to build a more diverse and inclusive workforce, reflecting a broader range of ideas and experiences.” 

Sherry Ndala, Apprenticeships Manager at JD Group, attended our graduation ceremony to celebrate the achievements of their apprentices. She said: “Our apprentices gain such a level of confidence from doing their degree apprenticeships. They feel that they are much more well-rounded afterwards and are constantly applying new knowledge, skills, and behaviours into their day-to-day roles. For us to see them grow in those roles and their careers as a result of this is just spectacular.” 

Graduation Reception 

Our graduates invited their families to salute this milestone moment with them. From parents, partners, and children to friends and more, they shared this special day with the people they love the most. After the ceremony, they attended our Business School for a graduation reception organised by our apprenticeship team to celebrate their well-deserved achievements.  

In total, more than 1,200 people attended our receptions. Celebrations included a summer garden party with live music, refreshments, games, and photo opportunities for the graduates and our faculty team.