HUNDREDS of students will celebrate the end of years of work when they receive their degrees today at the York St John College graduation ceremony.

The event will take place over two days at the Minster and see student graduate in a variety of subjects from teaching training to PHDs.

Honorary fellowships will go to York-born author Kate Atkinson, the Rev Dr Stuart Burgess, a leading figure in the Methodist Church, and Dr William Thomas, who works to promote international education.

Among the graduates is an 80-year-old woman with a remarkable life story

Iby Knill, originally from Czechoslovakia, will be collecting Masters in Theology and Religious Studies tomorrow. She has been a part-time student at York St John College since September 1999.

During the Second World War she went into hiding, worked for the Resistance in Hungary and was arrested and sent to Auschwitz, before being liberated on Easter Sunday in 1945.

Iby came to England in 1947 with her husband and has worked in civil defence, education and as a translator.

She completed an Open University degree in 1973 and began her MA in Theology and Religious Studies to find a foundation for the mix of beliefs she has acquired during her lifetime.

She is originally of Jewish decent, but converted to Christianity in 1942.

Iby, who lives in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, is now planning to write a story about her life and is looking for a publisher.

She said: "I had no problem at all integrating into college life and have enjoyed the challenge of the degree, keeping the grey cells working. It has been an extremely enriching experience and I am so proud to be collecting my MA."

Iby's tutor, Chris Maunder, said: "Iby has been a pleasure to work with.

"She is a person with a wealth of experience and a moving story to tell.

"She has a sharp mind that she has applied to a range of subjects in theology, and is very deserving of her Masters, for which she has worked extremely hard.

"Iby is therefore a good advocate for lifelong learning, proving you can study at any stage in your life."

Updated: 10:53 Thursday, November 13, 2003