Family and friends of university graduates joined together in Carlisle to celebrate all the hard work they’d put in for their day in the limelight.

A flurry of excitement was in the air yesterday as the University of Cumbria held its first graduation ceremony of the winter, toasting the achievement of hundreds of students.

Graduating was special for many, and it was a moment to show all their hard work had finally paid off.

The students were seated; the guests waiting to cheer as names were called out and it was their turn to take to the stage and lap up the applause.

Against the stunning backdrop of the medieval cathedral, the university will also award its first honorary doctorate to its Chancellor, the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, who will be presiding over his final graduation ceremonies in the county before he is due to retire next summer.

The honorary doctorate is the university’s most prestigious accolade and is for individuals of significant merit, academics with an international reputation, or national and international figures who are inspiring role models for young people, communities and stakeholders.

The vice-chancellor of the university, Professor Julie Mennell said: “It’s a day to celebrate and a day to pause and reflect on your journey, the challenges you’ve faced and overcome, the skills and confidence you’ve gained, the friendships you’ve made and to thank all those who have helped you to get where you are today.

“Many of whom will be here today, bursting with pride and admiration - to celebrate your success you.

“We all need support and encouragement to achieve our potential, the goals we set, to be our best self, and I’m sure you’ve been helped and are continuously helped, by many and in many different ways. “

Once the speeches were completed it was time for the new degree holders to be called up, one by one.

As the names were called out, tears of joy spilt over, as proud families and friends watched the special moment.

Already in employment, Victoria Mallinson, 37, from Etterby, is now a qualified teacher after graduating from the general primary education course.

The mature student had left school without all her GCSEs, but managed to gain alongside studying for her degree.

“It’s been stressful and exciting,” she explained.

“But I have done it while raising my two children, planning my wedding and getting married. I worked for Barnardo’s and I just thought to myself, it is now or never.”

As well as the challenges, there have also been many relationships and moments to savour.

“I have met some amazing people, I have made friends for life, but being in the classroom with children is just amazing,” she added.

“I feel very proud of what I have achieved.

“It’s also really good my daughter is 13 and it shows her that you can do what you want to do, you just have to take a different route sometimes.”

Fionuala Boyle was thrilled to have completed her master’s degree in social work and has managed to land a job in her field.

She said: “It’s been a really nice day in the cathedral. It is just a nice way to end.

“The course has been challenging but it has helped me get my job in social work.

“I feel really fortunate to have walked straight into a job, all of the lecturers were an amazing support.”

Professor Mennell thanked everyone for the support, adding: “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank staff across the university and our partners, Northumberland College and Southport College, for all your hard work.

“You are and make our university, a university which has a tremendous impact, and we couldn’t do it without you.”

Many of the new graduates spent time catching up with friends they had not seen for a while, their final term having ended earlier in the year.

As the cohorts left the cathedral they dashed along, trying to shelter from the downpour.

They chatted and smiled with their guests and each other, while taking the time to take in the momentous day.

Tomorrow it’s the turn of the ‘nursing health and professional practice’ and ‘business law policing and social sciences’ departments.