THOUSANDS of students have donned mortar boards and gowns for graduation ceremonies at Bournemouth International Centre.

Students from the School of Health and Social Care were the first to take to the stage today and were joined by Honorary Graduate Muriel Chalkley, a leader in nursing and midwifery and missionary to Africa.

A second Honorary recipient was Dame Yvonne Moores, former England Chief Nursing Officer and Director of Nursing at the Department of Health.

Tomorrow will see the turn of graduates from the School of Tourism and the Business School who will be joined by two more recipients of Honorary Degrees.

Professor John Vinney, Vice Chancellor of Bournemouth University, said: “Bournemouth University takes great pride in our Honorary Graduates.

“We recognise people who have excelled in their chosen field and enrich our community, and who will act as inspirational role models, both for our graduates and their families at the awards ceremonies and for our whole student body in the coming years.

“We look forward to welcoming them into the Bournemouth University community.”

See all the pictures from today's ceremony in a gallery here