Kingston graduates from the Faculty of Arts and Social Science got their degrees in style when they graduated from the Barbican theatre in London last month.
Although last November’s graduation ceremony took place at The Rose Theatre in Kingston, the university decided that the Barbican was a more suitable venue for the January event. A university spokesperson said: “Kingston University is planning to hold future graduation ceremonies at The Rose, but as some faculties, such as FASS are so large, it will be necessary to hold separate ceremonies for their different Schools.” Despite not graduating from the Rose, students were content to use the central London theatre, where over 1000 students received their degrees in subjects such as English, Journalism and Music in two ceremonies on January 19. Journalism and Creative Writing graduate Niklas Danielsson said: “Frankly, I would have failed to see the point of having it at the Rose Theatre. Kingston is far away and an inconvenience to get to at the best of times. At least Barbican is in central London and more or less easily accessible.” Many students felt the Barbican was a far superior venue and could accommodate the large number of students and their families. English Literature and Creative Writing graduate Adam Taylor said: “I did not personally feel any disappointment by graduating from the Barbican. If anything, it was nice to have such a prestigious occasion set in a grand, somewhat famous London theatre.” 
The university’s spokesperson said: “The Barbican ceremony, which was extremely large and accommodated around 1,200 students, was booked some time ago, when the future of the Rose was still uncertain. Our aim is that every Kingston student will graduate in the Rose in the future.”
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