City St George’s hosts Summer Graduation 2026 at the Barbican

Thousands of students gathered at the Barbican Centre from Friday 10 July to Friday 17 July 2026 to attend the summer graduation ceremonies. They walked the red carpet as they collected their City St George’s, University of London degrees. The ceremonies gave graduates a chance to celebrate their achievements with their families and friends.

City St George’s President, Professor Sir Anthony Finkelstein, welcomed the class of 2026: “It has been a long, difficult and, let us be honest, expensive process. You can therefore feel a justified sense of relief. In a world that increasingly rewards certainty, speed and simplicity, I hope you will continue to value curiosity, patience and complexity. As you graduate from City St George’s, know how proud we are of you. We aim to make you ever prouder of us, not only today, but throughout your lives.”

Investment banker and philanthropist Adrian Haxby was awarded an Honorary Fellowship for his commitment to the development of the University in the last few years. Management consultant Krupali Desai was also awarded an Honorary Fellowship for her outstanding and foundational contributions to the governance and development of City St George’s, University of London.

Adrian Haxby talked about the importance of university and education:

AI can do it all, the total sum of human knowledge in your pocket. Never was there a greater need for intelligent, enquiring minds to have the critical and analytical ability to cut through the endless stream of nonsense we are all subjected to, directed by some algorithm written in Silicon Valley. You have actively sought and acquired those analytical skills and true knowledge; I congratulate you all on seeking them out.

Krupali Desai emphasised the need to put empathy at the heart of everything:

We live in a world that needs not only expertise, but wisdom; not only innovation, but compassion; not only ambition, but integrity. The challenges ahead are complex. They will require people who can listen carefully, think critically, work across boundaries, and act with courage. I hope that each of you will leave here not simply asking, ‘What can I become?’, but also, ‘What can I contribute?’

A third Honorary Fellowship was awarded to Professor Jenny Higham, the first female leader of St George’s, University of London, for her outstanding work and action that was instrumental in the creation of the University. Along with being the only woman ever to chair the Medical Schools Council, she is also the recipient of the Freedom of the City of London. This symbolic and historic award dates back to 1237, that is today a prestigious civic tribute awarded to distinguished individuals for outstanding contributions to London and its public life.

A quintet welcomed everyone as they began assembling in the hall. A processional march made its way to the stage while students hushed to contain their excitement. As graduands walked across the stage, some twirled, some jumped, some waved, while some chose to stop and take selfies. A few students were selected to address the congregation and share their experiences.

Ali Raja (Medicine MBBS), recipient of the City St George’s Academic Impact Award, ended the first graduation ceremony by addressing the gathering:

For many of us, today is the answer to a question we have been quietly asking ourselves for years: Is this even possible for someone like me? Standing here today as the son of Pakistani immigrants and as a first-generation doctor, I know what it feels like to wonder whether a room like this was ever meant for someone like you. But here is what I've learned: that feeling was never evidence that you didn't belong. It was evidence that you understood the weight of what you were trying to achieve. Mom and dad, this degree may have my name on it, but it carries your fingerprints.

In her speech, student speaker Gisoo Akhavan-Foumani  (Graduate entry LLB) reflected on staying on course amidst difficulties:

When my home country [of Iran] descended into war, and an internet blackout cut me off from my family for months, the news became my only connection to them. Yet life did not pause. In the real world out there, we cannot assume that justice is going to happen. We have to make it happen. And now, as law graduates, we hold the knowledge that is needed to fight for justice in our own ways.

Manjyot Dhuphar (BA English Hons) talked about how human emotions will always stay relevant even in the growing world of artificial intelligence:

In our fast-arriving future, which is increasingly being shaped by technology and AI, I think there is something powerful about knowing that our genuine human passion cannot be replicated. Our endeavours will continue to change the world, so long as we keep persevering. Most of us here are probably wondering what we’re doing next, stuck in the limbo of applying to a million jobs and getting rejected from practically all of them. I believe right now is not the time we should have it all figured out. Right now is the time to ask questions, grow and trust ourselves.

Ella Smart (BSc Mathematics), a student described by her tutor as ‘the kind of student that makes teachers better’, addressed the assembly:

I am succeeding in a field I once assumed firmly out of reach, proving that we do not find our passion by playing it safe, but by trusting our ability to learn, adapt, and build our own way forward. Through our degree study, we have learned that breakthroughs rarely happen in a vacuum but through the fusion of our perspectives.

Tamanna Nai (BSc Business with Marketing) talked about applauding your progress rather than just focusing on the next goal:

Our generation has become so used to looking ahead. We've grown up in a world where there's always another goal to chase. One achievement quickly becomes the starting point for the next. Somewhere along the way, we've become experts at moving forward, but not always at recognising how far we've already come.