Students from South Hampshire College Group have celebrated their achievements at a graduation ceremony.

South Hampshire College Group is the collective name for City College Southampton, Eastleigh College and Fareham College, which merged on August 1 this year.

The ceremony, held at Fareham College, saw higher education students and their families enjoy a drinks reception, before joining faculty members in the college’s 120-seat theatre for the ceremony. 

Ben Sheridan, vice principal of Fareham College, said: “The achievement of a qualification at Level 4 or higher is the product of significant hard work and dedication.

“This event allows our graduates to celebrate their achievements, gathered among friends, family and lecturers.

“All of our graduates can be immensely proud of their success, and we wish them the best of luck for their next chapter.”

The South Hampshire College Group serves an estimated 11,900 students across the Solent region and aims to provide a higher education programme for those seeking alternative pathways to university. 

The higher education programmes, which are held at Fareham College, are designed to help students progress from A-level or T Level courses to complete undergraduate qualifications.

Robert Hind, curriculum area manager for higher education at Fareham College, said: “Our Higher Education graduation ceremony is the highlight of the year for me as it’s our chance to celebrate the considerable achievements of our students.

“Fareham College offers a wide range of higher education courses which give students, who would struggle to access a course at university, the chance to study in their local community and gain qualifications to help them move to the next stage in their lives. 

“Many of the students who graduated this year have overcome considerable challenges in their personal and professional lives to gain their qualification and we are very proud that the supportive environment we offer at Fareham has played a part in that success.”

Many of the South Hampshire College Group’s alumni have gone on to pursue Master’s degrees or PhDs.