Congratulations to all our graduating students

More than 1,500 students from all over the world graduated in the magnificent setting of Durham Cathedral, in the company of their families and friends.

Our Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen O’Brien said: “We always enjoy welcoming our students and their loved ones to Durham Cathedral for Congregation.   

"They have worked hard, and we wish them every success in the future. We know as Durham University graduates they will be highly sought after by employers worldwide, and we hope that they will maintain close links with us here at Durham.” 

Honorary graduates 

Four honorary degrees were awarded during the Congregation ceremonies. Those who received honorary degrees for their achievements were:

Sir Jonathan Jones, Doctor of Civil Law. Sir Jonathan graduated from Durham in 1984 and has enjoyed a hugely impressive legal career. Sir Jonathan has held a string of high-profile roles, including as the permanent secretary of the Government Legal Department – the most senior legal official in the UK government. He was appointed honorary King’s Counsel in 2019 and made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) for public service in 2020.  

Professor George Efstathiou, Doctor of Science. Professor Efstathiou received a PhD in 1979 from Durham and has since become a household name in astrophysics. He was an original proponent of the ‘Cold Dark Matter’ theory on the origin of galaxies, which has become the Standard Model of cosmology. Professor Efstathiou has won numerous awards and is a Fellow of the Royal Society. 

Matt Baker, Doctor of Science. Matt Baker is one of the most popular British television presenters active today. He co-presented the BBC children’s television show Blue Peter from 1999 until 2006, BBC One’s Countryfile since 2009 and The One Show from 2011 to 2020. Matt was born in County Durham and attended Durham Sixth Form Centre.

Suzanne Duncan, Doctor of Letters. The late Suzanne Duncan served in the further education sector for more than 30 years, including as Principal and Chief Executive Officer of East Durham College. Having begun her tenure in September 2012, she led the college to three highly positive Ofsted inspections and oversaw significant multi-million-pound investments in the college infrastructure. With her family's blessing, Suzanne was posthumously awarded an honorary degree.

Our honorary graduates set an inspiring example to our graduates who are embarking on the next chapter of their life.

A lifelong community 

Our Winter 2025 cohort of students will join a thriving, 230,000 strong alumni community. Our alumni are our greatest ambassadors and continue to support and inspire our students.    

Watch online 

All Congregation ceremonies were streamed live online, so that anyone unable to travel to Durham can still enjoy the celebrations. 

 Find out more 

• Read more about Congregation at Durham
• Learn more about our honorary graduates via our dedicated honorary graduate webpages 
• Discover more about our alumni community 

(Inset image: From left: Jeremy Cook OBE, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Colleges and Student Experience, Professor Karen O'Brien, Vice-Chancellor and Warden, Dr Fiona Hill, Chancellor, Professor Claire O'Malley, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Global). Image credit Lucian Hudson, Director of Advancement, Marketing and Communications.