Congratulations to the Class of 2026
Seventeen ceremonies, 4,000 hats thrown, countless selfies and a time to remember for all our graduating students and their loved ones.
To all new graduates, welcome to our 300,000-strong global alumni community. We wish each and every one of you all the best in your future endeavours.
Your next chapter starts here
Graduating doesn’t mean leaving Southampton behind. As a member of our alumni community, you can keep building your career, growing your network and developing your skills with us.
Get career support
- Apply for University internships and access career mentoring and networking opportunities for up to one year after graduation.
- Book one-to-one appointments with the Careers team for up to five years.
- Access vacancies, events, application resources, CV feedback and interview support through MyCareer.
Keep learning
- Receive a 10% tuition fee discount on eligible postgraduate programmes at Southampton.
- Continue using University library services.
- Explore lifelong learning and enterprise support.
Stay connected
- Meet fellow graduates through local and international alumni networks.
- Join events online and in person.
- Connect with the alumni community on social media and LinkedIn.
- Enjoy discounted Southampton Sport membership.
Don’t miss out on your alumni benefits
Meet the honorary graduates
During graduation season, the University awards a select number of honorary degrees to individuals whose outstanding intellectual, creative or academic achievements have earned national or international recognition. We are delighted that this year’s recipients include two members of our alumni community.
Alumnus Lord Alan Whitehead (Lord Whitehead of St Marys) studied politics and philosophy at the University of Southampton before completing a PhD in political science. He served on Southampton City Council from 1980, leading the Council between 1984 and 1992, where he championed innovative energy projects. He was Professor of Public Policy and Administration at Southampton Institute from 1992 and Labour MP for Southampton Test from 1997 to 2024. During his parliamentary career he held ministerial and shadow ministerial roles, specialising in energy and climate policy. In 2025, he was appointed to the House of Lords and became Minister of State for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
A University of Southampton graduate, Sir John Iredale has spent four decades as a clinical academic, researcher and leader in medicine. An internationally recognised expert in tissue fibrosis and inflammation, he has held senior academic positions in Southampton, Edinburgh and Bristol. He has also served as a Medical Trustee of the British Heart Foundation and chairs both the Cancer Research UK Scottish Cancer Research Institute and the Lister Institute. He was knighted in 2024 for services to medical research.
Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah is Founder of the Ella Roberta Foundation, an Honorary Fellow of the British Science Association and a WHO BreatheLife Champion. Following the death of her nine-year-old daughter Ella in 2013, she led a landmark campaign resulting in a 2020 ruling that air pollution significantly contributed to Ella’s death – the first such finding in the world. A leading global advocate for clean air, Rosamund is also a visiting lecturer at the London School of Economics. She was appointed CBE in 2023 for services to public health and, in 2025, became an Honorary Practice Fellow at Imperial College London.
Southampton’s Sir Stephen Holgate, a world-renowned air quality expert, nominated Rosamund for her award. He has worked closely with Rosamund for many years, playing a crucial role as a medical expert in Ella’s second inquest.
Read more: Honorary degree for inspiring clean air campaigner
Clare Viney has been Chief Executive of the Careers Research and Advisory Centre since 2016. A chartered scientist and chemist, she has over 25 years’ experience in science, policy and the not-for-profit sector. She is a strong advocate for widening opportunity and currently chairs the University of Southampton Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering External Advisory Board.
Sir Robert Chote has dedicated his career to improving economic policymaking and public understanding of the public finances. After working as a journalist and economist, he led the Institute for Fiscal Studies before serving as the first Chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility from 2010 to 2020. He later chaired the UK Statistics Authority and, since 2025, has been President of Trinity College, Oxford.
Outstanding Alumni Awards
“Follow your passions wherever they are, wherever they take you. And if you’re ever offered exciting opportunities, don’t think too long about it. Just say ‘yes’!”
These were the inspiring words of Professor Dame Jane Francis, winner of the Lifetime Achievement Alumni Award.
Read more about Jane’s story and the other inspiring recipients of our Outstanding Alumni Awards.
University of Southampton Malaysia Graduation
The University of Southampton Malaysia held its 2026 Graduation Ceremony on 31 July 2026, celebrating the achievements of 56 graduating students from across a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
The ceremony was presided over by Professor Andrew Atherton, Vice-President, International and Engagement, University of Southampton. Graduates were joined by academic and professional services staff, family members and esteemed industry partners.
It was a special occasion for the University community as we celebrated the hard work, achievements and diverse contributions of our graduates, and wished them every success as they embark on the next chapter of their journeys.
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