We, the undersigned students, respectfully call on St Mary’s University, Twickenham to reinstate winter graduation ceremonies for students who complete their studies at different points in the academic year.

Historically, the University held winter graduation ceremonies, recognising that not all programmes finish at the same time. The removal of winter graduations has created significant and unnecessary challenges for many students, particularly international students, PGCE students, and postgraduate taught students.

Impact on International Students and Visa Restrictions

For international students, the absence of a winter graduation presents serious difficulties due to visa time limits and post-study obligations. Many international students:

• Complete their studies in autumn or early winter

• Are required to leave the UK shortly after course completion

• Cannot remain in the country until a summer graduation without incurring additional visa costs or overstaying risks

As a result, international students are often unable to attend their own graduation, a milestone that reflects years of academic, financial, and personal commitment. This disproportionately affects a group of students the University actively seeks to support and attract.

Different Academic Completion Timelines

Not all programmes align with a summer graduation timeline:

• PGCE students typically complete their academic and placement requirements earlier in the year

• Master’s students often finish at different times depending on dissertation submission dates

• Some students complete in autumn or early winter, yet are expected to wait many months to formally graduate

Delaying graduation does not reflect the reality of these programmes and places an unfair burden on students who have already met all academic requirements.

Access, Fairness, and Student Experience

Graduation is not merely ceremonial; it represents:

• Formal recognition of academic achievement

• Closure to a student’s university journey

• An opportunity for families, many of whom travel internationally, to celebrate this achievement

Requiring students to wait until summer — or miss graduation altogether — undermines the principles of fairness, inclusion, and student wellbeing.

Practical Feasibility at St Mary’s University

St Mary’s University is uniquely positioned to reinstate winter graduations:

• The University has previously held winter graduation ceremonies, demonstrating that this is feasible

• Ceremonies are now held on campus, rather than externally, this can help staff attendance and personalisation.

• The presence of the University’s chapel provides an appropriate, dignified venue capable of hosting graduation ceremonies year-round

Given these facilities and past precedent, it is reasonable to expect that graduation dates could be brought forward to accommodate winter graduates.

A Call to Action

We therefore urge St Mary’s University, Twickenham to:

• Reinstate winter graduation ceremonies

• Ensure students graduating at different points in the year are recognised in a timely and inclusive manner

• Consider the specific needs of international students, PGCE students, and postgraduate cohorts

• Align graduation scheduling with actual academic completion dates, rather than a single annual ceremony

Reintroducing winter graduations would demonstrate the University’s commitment to equity, accessibility, and student-centred decision-making, ensuring that all students are able to celebrate their achievements without unnecessary barriers.

We ask the University to work collaboratively with students and the Students’ Union to bring back winter graduation ceremonies as soon as possible.