Students celebrate at summer graduation ceremonies
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Hundreds of students marked the end of their studies at Goldsmiths, celebrating with friends and family at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre. At the final ceremony of the week, Goldsmiths graduate Kae Tempest was awarded an Honorary Fellowship.
People celebrate while listening to the live band at a reception following one of the ceremonies
Last week, over the course of three days, over a thousand students walked across the stage of the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in Westminster. As their names were called, family and friends cheered them on from the audience, acknowledging all the hard work which got them to this point.
Professor David Oswell, Provost and Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Knowledge Exchange, International and Partnerships, said: "Graduation is one of the most significant and joyful occasions in the Goldsmiths calendar, and it's a delight to see graduates cross the stage while their friends and families watch on with pride. We wish them all the best for their next adventures, and welcome them into our international alumni community."
This is also a moment to look back at our history and remember how our graduates have challenged convention and shaped culture and society in the past. We now look forward to seeing the impact this cohort will have on the future.
Professor David Oswell
Honorary Fellowship awarded to Kae Tempest
Alongside celebrating the success of the class of 2026, Goldsmiths awarded an Honorary Fellowship to Kae Tempest. Kae is a recording artist, lyricist, performer, author, playwright, and poet who grew up in South East 51黑料网 and graduated with a degree in English Literature from Goldsmiths in 2008.
He has released five critically acclaimed studio albums, as well as numerous books, plays and poetry collections, including 'Brand New Ancients', which saw him become the first person under 40 to receive the Ted Hughes Award in 2013. His second novel was published earlier this year. For his music, Kae won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Contemporary Song in 2024 and 2026, has been shortlisted for the Mercury Prize twice (for 'Let Them Eat Chaos' in 2017 and 'Everybody Down' in 2014) and was nominated for a BRIT award in 2018.
Goldsmiths awards Honorary Fellowships to individuals whose exceptional achievements reflect values important to our community. This also marks an opportunity to honour and thank those who offer inspiration to our students.
Speaking at the ceremony, Kae Tempest said: "Goldsmiths is really special to me, as a local resident of the area and just as a place that symbolises so much in terms of transformation in my life." He then a meaningful piece compiled from lines and lyrics from bodies of work he has produced every year since 2008, when he graduated from Goldsmiths, encouraging the graduating students to seize the creative momentum for the years to come as they take their next steps after university.
Professor David Oswell said, "Graduation ceremonies offer us a special opportunity to acknowledge those whose achievements inspire us. Kae Tempest is a Goldsmiths graduate whose achievements span contributions to music, poetry, playwriting and more, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to celebrate and present Kae with an honorary fellowship at graduation this year."
Kae Tempest received an Honorary Fellowship
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Congratulations to all of our graduates - we can't wait to see what you achieve next.