Every great adventure begins with a single, bold step

East Sussex College Higher Education (HE) students proudly celebrated their graduation at The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne on 11th November, marking the culmination of years of dedication, creativity, and achievement across a wide range of disciplines.

Graduates received awards across a wide range of subjects - from Business Management and Counselling to Early Years and Designer Maker - reflecting the diversity, creativity, and academic depth of East Sussex College’s Higher Education offer.

The event was a joyful and memorable occasion, bringing together family members, friends, and staff to honour the accomplishments of this year’s graduates.

“The venue, atmosphere and how welcoming everyone was made it feel really special,” Lou Miller, Person Centred Counselling BSC (Hons) graduate. “The awards were fantastic. It was great to see everyone’s achievements recognised so thoughtfully.”

BA (Hons) Early Years Care & Education graduate, Emily Kemp, said, “I really enjoyed the celebrations. It was such a very special night! I was actually emotional. I felt like a graduate from the moment I entered the venue. I was apprehensive about taking on a foundation degree in Early Years, but I am so pleased that I did, the staff are absolutely amazing and made me feel so at ease. I'm actually going on to do my BA (Hons) in Early Years because I have been given such strength from the teaching staff to continue in my passion for teaching. I'd recommend higher education to everyone. If you believe you can do it, you can do anything!”

Design graduate, Zoe Horrod, said, “I miss uni so much! It was one of the best challenges I have ever undertaken. I’ve had 30 years of really interesting work experience, so coming back to school gave me a renewed appreciation for learning. It was the hardest work I’ve ever had to do. It gave me a chance to explore my own ideas and craft. Doing that in a supportive environment was such a luxurious privilege. The graduation ceremony also felt surprisingly indulgent. The venue was beautiful. I loved that my son, who is about to do his GCSE next year, got to see how you are celebrated once you’ve finished all that studying.”

As a staff member who chose East Sussex College for her daughter’s higher education, Martine Brewer said the evening perfectly reflected the care and quality that make ESC ‘good enough for our families’. “We had an amazing evening, well done to all involved in making the Class of 25 a memorable one for all the graduates. Thank you from one very proud mother.”

For many, it was both a moment of reflection and a launchpad into exciting new chapters - whether that means advancing in their careers, pursuing further study, or gearing up for new creative and professional ventures.

Every great adventure begins with a single bold step, as award-winning British explorer, author, and guest speaker Charlie Walker, reminded graduates at the ceremony. After completing his degree at Newcastle University, Charlie has journeyed more than 60,000 miles by foot, horse, bicycle, ski, kayak, and dugout canoe - traversing the Tibetan plateau, Mongolian steppe, Congolese jungle, Arctic tundra, New Guinean highlands, and the vast Sahara Desert.

Meg Sullivan, Director of HE at East Sussex College, said: “It was an honour and a privilege to celebrate our Higher Education students and their remarkable achievements. Their success is the result of true collaboration - from the dedication of our staff and the support of university partners and employers, to the families and friends who’ve encouraged them every step of the way. We wish them all the best in their future adventures.”

Many of the degree courses at East Sussex College are validated by University of East Anglia, and Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the University, Julian Blow, closed the ceremony with a message of congratulations.

He said, “Congratulations to you, our graduates, on your outstanding achievements. You’ve shown incredible energy, passion, resilience and commitment to get here and your successes are heartily deserved. I’d also like to thank all the staff at East Sussex College whose tireless dedication to students has played such a big role in your achievements. We are very proud to be the validating partner of East Sussex College, a partnership that is very much thriving and growing. You should be very proud of the awards you’ve achieved today.”

East Sussex College has been offering Higher Education courses for over 25 years, giving local people and families flexible study options that fit around life commitments. Courses are validated by University of East Anglia, University of Brighton and Pearson, and offer hands-on, career-focused learning in a supportive environment.

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