HUNDREDS of York students are set to take part in a landmark event in the city later this month.

University Centre Askham Bryan's (UCAB) class of 2024 is preparing for their graduation ceremony to celebrate their achievements alongside family and friends at their annual graduation held at York Minster.

UCAB, based at Askham Bryan College which has 3,850 students on the outskirts of York, offers higher education qualifications including foundation and honours degrees in a range of land-based courses such as animal science, agriculture, veterinary nursing, equine science and zoo and wildlife conservation.

This will also be the first year in the college’s 75-year history that foundation degree graduands will sport Askham Bryan’s very own colours on their gowns.

The college is the only land-based college in the UK with foundation degree awarding powers. This allows UCAB to create and tailor programmes and autonomously award its own named degrees up to and including Level 5.

The purple, gold and green colours will be worn by the first cohort of students to graduate from the foundation degrees since Askham Bryan College achieved foundation degree awarding powers. The new robes will be showcased alongside graduates sporting the colours of both Harper Adams University and the Royal Agricultural University who award the University Centre Askham Bryan BSc (Hons) degrees and Veterinary Nursing Foundation Degrees.

Tilly Hudson, BSc animal management and science graduate and student vote of thanks nominee modelling the new University Centre Askham Bryan coloursTilly Hudson, BSc animal management and science graduate and student vote of thanks nominee modelling the new University Centre Askham Bryan colours (Image: Supplied) Tim Whitaker, chief executive officer and principal at the college said: “It will be an extra special graduation this year as we see our graduates wearing the Askham Bryan colours on their gowns for the first time.

"We look forward to celebrating both the hard work of our graduates as well as the work of our incredible teaching and support staff who have worked tirelessly to achieve degree awarding powers for our range of specialist land-based courses.

“We are extremely proud of them and wish all of our graduates every success with their next steps and careers.”

The York Ceremonial Guard will lead guests from the Merchant Taylors’ Hall through the streets to York Minster at 7.30pm on Wednesday, September 25.

This year’s guest speaker will be Jo Judge, chief executive officer, The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) Tilly Hudson, who has completed a BSc Honours Degree in Animal Management and Science and is the nominee of the Student Vote of Thanks award for her contribution throughout the course has said: “I am extremely excited to be celebrating this special event in the beautiful setting of York Minister.

"This opportunity is the perfect end to my 3 years studying for my degree in Animal Management and Science. I can’t wait to be joined by fellow graduates, friends and family and celebrate all together.”