Three years of hard graft and a whirlwind of university fun later, this year’s LCC third years and postgraduates celebrated their graduation this week.

Held on Tuesday in the grandiose setting of the Royal Festival Hall on the sunny Southbank, students gathered in their caps and (specially CSM-designed) gowns for the pomp and ceremony of receiving their certificates and being sent off into the real world.

For the first time, UAL issued Honorary Doctorates and Fellowships to its prestigious alumni. LCC itself bestowed an Honorary Doctorate to designer Agnès Trouble, founder of the Agnès B clothing line.

Honorary Fellowships were awarded to journalist Rebekah Brooks, chief executive of News International, and graphic designer Neville Brody, both of whom previously studied at the College.

The graduation ceremonies came in two waves, the morning session being for the Faculty of Design and the afternoon for the Faculty of Media.

The ceremonies had a general air of optimism, as graduates and their friends and families were addressed by students and academic staff who asserted that this year’s graduates displayed talent, resilience and determination and that the real reward of a UAL degree was the journey itself.

Altogether now: “hurrah” for the Class of 2010.

Words by Natalie Hardwick