Students in Uxbridge put on their gowns and mortar boards to celebrate achieving university level qualifications.

Students of all ages at Uxbridge College graduated in Higher National Certificates (HNCs), Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) and Foundation Degrees.

They received qualifications in engineering, computing, business and care management which the college say will help improve the students' career prospects.

This also gives the graduates the option to enter university in the second or third years.

Two friends, who graduated in a HND in Business were Darshan Patel and Jaskirit Bharj, both aged 21.

The former pupils of Mellow Lane School in Hewens Road, Hayes, have now joined the third year of a BA Honours degree in Business Administration at Kingston University in London.

Darshan, said: “I am over the moon to be graduating today and very excited about the future.

“Achieving good grades in the HND is hard work, but it's well worth it, and much cheaper than studying at university.

“My ambition once I complete my degree is to go into property development and perhaps to work abroad.”

Darrell Desouza, Uxbridge College's vice principal for standards and curriculum, said: “Uxbridge College's higher education graduation ceremony is always a very special occasion – because it recognises what a huge achievement it is to succeed at this level.”

Mr DeSouza told the students they should feel enormously proud of what they have achieved.

In July this year, the college in Park Road, Uxbridge was rated as 'outstanding' by Ofsted inspectors, which is the highest grade in the inspection.

In the annual figures released by the Learning and Skills Council, the college was ranked first for success rates for students aged 16 to 18, out of 39 further education providers in London.

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