Engineering Degree graduates from University Centre Newbury (UCN) celebrated their academic achievements at Bournemouth University's graduation ceremony on Tuesday 3 November 2026, marking an important milestone in their professional development.
The students, who completed their BEng (Hons) Engineering Design degrees in the summer, joined fellow graduates from Bournemouth University's Faculty of Media, Science and Technology for the ceremony at the Bournemouth International Centre.
For most of the graduates, the occasion marked the culmination of several years of hard work and dedication, having progressed through Higher National Certificate (HNC) and Higher National Diploma (HND) qualifications before achieving their honours degrees.
Their success highlights the value of UCN's flexible approach to higher education, enabling students to develop advanced engineering skills and gain university-level qualifications locally, while balancing their studies with employment and other commitments.
The BEng (Hons) Engineering Design degree is delivered at UCN in partnership with Bournemouth University, with specialist pathways in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Electrical and Electronic Engineering. The programme combines advanced engineering principles with practical, industry-focused learning, including computational engineering, emerging technologies and work-based projects.
Ramesh Marasini, Senior Lead Lecturer for Engineering at UCN, attended the ceremony to celebrate the graduates' achievements and said:
"It was a privilege to see first cohort of students at UCN in partnership with Bournemouth University graduating. Their determination and commitment to developing their skills are inspiring. Their success demonstrates the importance of accessible higher education that supports career progression. We are incredibly proud of our graduates and look forward to seeing how they use their knowledge and expertise to make a difference in the engineering industry."
During the ceremony, Bournemouth University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alison Honour, recognised the perseverance and determination of graduates who had overcome challenges and balanced their studies with work, family and other responsibilities. She encouraged them to embrace future opportunities and use their skills to make a positive difference.
The ceremony was also the first to celebrate UCN Engineering graduates through its partnership with Bournemouth University to expand opportunities for students to achieve degrees in West Berkshire.
Through this collaboration, UCN continues to provide clear progression routes from higher national qualifications to honours degrees, helping individuals and employers develop the advanced technical skills needed to support the region's engineering industry.
To find out more about the BEng (Hons) Engineering Design degree and other higher education opportunities at University Centre Newbury, visit ucn.ac.uk