This week, the University has launched Sussex Grad at Home, to acknowledge and celebrate the amazing resilience, creativity and determination of our Class of 2020.

Announced on Results Day, Sussex Grad at Home will be a week of virtual celebrations starting on July 20, the day our summer Graduation ceremonies were due to begin.  During the week we will be sharing a range of content across our social channels and website including speeches from the Vice Chancellor and our Chancellor, Sanjeev Bhaskar OBE, congratulatory messages from some very special alumni and some fun graduation filters for Instagram.

Whilst this summer’s ceremonies have been postponed, students will have the opportunity to attend a later ceremony, hopefully in the new year.

View the video here.

Time to celebrate

On Results Day, the University, aware that many students are planning their own celebrations with friends and family this year, emailed graduates a DIY Graduation kit.  Designed to be printed at home the kit contained a make-your-own Sussex sign, a cut-out Chancellor Sanjeev Bhaskar, bunting and a pair of seagulls. What Sussex Graduation would be complete without any of them?

The DIY Graduation kit was launched with a video featuring the voice of Chancellor Sanjeev Bhaskar, OBE, with Digital Media Guru and Sussex student Josh McLaughlin, explaining how to use the cut-outs.

The aim of Sussex Grad at Home is to bring some Sussex spirit to their celebrations, and to encourage students to share their home ceremonies online (tagging the University of Sussex, using #SussexGradAtHome or emailing us on graduation@sussex.ac.uk).

We know nothing can replace the real thing, but until our students can attend their own Graduation ceremony in Brighton, we want to help them celebrate and take a moment to reflect on their fantastic achievements.