More than 350 students graduated from The Courtauld at a ceremony held at St Clements Dane, Strand on July 6, 2022. The ceremony was the University’s first in-person graduation since 2019.
The Courtauld’s Degree Presentation Ceremony marks the end of the academic year and the successful completion of BA, MA, research degrees and Diploma programmes. It derives from medieval ceremonies which admitted candidates for the degree of Master of Arts and gave them licence to teach. Thus at once it is both the end of the programme, and the beginning of the first stage of professional life. The ceremony recognises the work students have undertaken during their time at The Courtauld, and celebrates their achievement in public and festive style with faculty, supporters, friends and family present.
The Ceremony was divided into two separate parts. The first, in the morning, conferred postgraduate degrees. The second ceremony, in the afternoon, awarded undergraduate degrees and graduate diplomas.
The first procession of the Faculty was led by the Chairman of the Board of Governors, The Lord Browne of Madingley, and the Director of the Courtauld, Professor Deborah Swallow, accompanied by Honorands and faculty. The afternoon procession was led by Professor Swallow, accompanied by Dean and Deputy Director, Professor Alixe Bovey.
The tradition of conferring honorary degrees also dates from the middle ages. The degree of Doctor of Literature Honoris Causa is the highest honour that The Courtauld, through the University of London, can bestow on an individual. At today’s ceremony the Courtauld also recognised as Honorary Fellows those individuals whose exceptional contributions to The Courtauld have marked them out for especial note.
Graduates, Honorands and guests attended an evening reception in the Courtauld Gallery.