The University of Sussex sees thousands of students from across the globe graduating this week at a two-day event held at the Brighton Centre.

2,883 students will be awarded degrees, aged 21 to 78, and from more than 114 countries – a more global event than ever before.

The University will be highlighting many students who have made a difference to their peers or in their communities.

Professor Adam Tickell, the University’s Vice-Chancellor, said: “At the University of Sussex we are proud to be known for our thoughtful and alternative approach to the world. We aim to attract students with passion, who think differently, and to develop these skills during their time here – encouraging them to dare to debate, and to affect real change in their communities.

“Our international students have often sought to use their Sussex education as the foundation for positive change in their homelands. I think that’s a tremendous ambition.

“I could not be prouder of this year’s graduates from the University of Sussex. They are the embodiment of energy, hope and possibility for the future, and I will watch their future progress with pride.”

The University will be awarding two honorary doctorate degrees:

Sue Woodford-Hollick OBE (Lady Hollick), a businesswoman and consultant, and former investigative journalist. Lady Hollick is trustee and patron to a wide range of charities and foundations, campaigning for human rights, literacy, world health, and the arts. She is awarded her honorary doctorate on Thursday 18 January.

Liam Hackett will receive an honorary degree on Friday 19 January. Liam founded the equality and anti-bullying charity Ditch the Label aged just 16 after starting a MySpace page reaching out to other people impacted by bullying. He expanded the business while studying for his degree in business and management at the University of Sussex. Now it is a thriving charity, recently expanding into the USA and Mexico, and has helped hundreds of thousands of young people affected by bullying.

Winter Graduation is being held at the Brighton Centre on 18-19 January 2018. The five ceremonies will be streamed live to friends and families across the UK and around the world.

The University of Sussex is one of the top 20 universities in the UK, and is ranked third in the country for graduate employment prospects. The University contributes more than £200-million of the economic output of Brighton & Hove and Lewes.