University of Plymouth 2020 Graduates original graduation was cancelled in September 2020 and moved to July 2020 due to the Mayflower 2020 Anniversary. However, this was then moved to February 2021 due the pandemic. We have now been informed that our graduation has been cancelled without even an apology! This has now been changed to a virtual event!! 

For many a graduation is an experience that every university student should be entitled to attend with friends and family to celebrate their hard work and achievements. Especially for those that finished during the pandemic and had to leave their university and friends so abruptly, whilst adapting to the new way of studying online and completing a dissertation.

To say that I am upset and angry that the University of Plymouth have come to this decision without consulting the class of 2020 is an understatement! I have seen several of my co-graduates comment on social media platforms that they would rather the graduation postponed, then cancelled all together even if we have to wait.

The 2021 Graduation is still officially planning to happen and the offer of a 'Celebratory' event in September which is not 100% guaranteed makes no sense. Why can't we have our graduation instead of a celebratory event within guidelines of the government restrictions?? Instead we received a certificate in the post and not even a professional graduation photo!

Whilst it is understandable with the current situation surely we deserve an actual graduation after a year of strikes and Covid-19 once the restrictions are lifted.