More than 700 students, family members and staff attended the University Centre Truro & Penwith graduation ceremony at Truro Cathedral on Saturday.

Dean Dr Emily Myatt presented scrolls and awards. The inaugural University Centre Truro & Penwith Award for Excellence went to Scarlet Ring (FdSc Law with Business), who said: “Growing up, I wasn’t encouraged to pursue an education and was taken out of school - earning a degree felt like an impossible dream.”

Susan Trebilcock (BSc Hons, Applied Computing Technologies) picked up the Student Ambassador Award. Having left school 50 years ago with no qualifications, she collected her degree “keen to show the world what I can do”.

Zoe Allen took the Education Award following a research project on student assessment which has influenced working practices in the University Centre’s Education department.

Poppy Budden (BSc Hons, Operating Department Practitioner) was presented the University of Greenwich Academic Partnership Prize, having performed well during a work placement at the Royal Cornwall Hospital.

Caley Witchell (BSc Hons, Applied Computing Technologies) claimed the University of Plymouth Academic Partnership Prize, having demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of personal and health challenges.

Truro and Penwith College principal Martin Tucker congratulated all graduates and thanked their families and friends for supporting them on their journey.