Eighteen doctorates awarded in final ceremony of summer graduations
Eighteen individuals have received their PhDs during LJMU’s final graduation ceremony of 2025 for the School of Sport and Exercise Science.
From doctorate research into ‘prenatal physical activity on mothers and their offspring’ to ‘the effects of collagen supplements on athletes’, the eighteen PhD graduates received their prestigious awards as the university marks 50 years of Sport and Exercise Science.
Five decades ago, in 1975, with the combination of the university’s academic excellence and the backdrop of the city’s sporting history, LJMU launched the UK’s first degree in sports science.
Danielle follows in her family’s footsteps
Mental Health Nursing student Danielle Hawley kept up a proud family tradition when she collected her degree on Friday.
She followed in the footsteps of her mum and two siblings in graduating from LJMU. Danielle wore the same gown that her mum, brother and sister all wore for their own graduation ceremonies.
Danielle said: “I am really proud to be continuing a family tradition and it feels extra special to be following in their footsteps. I am feeling incredibly proud of myself to be graduating as I never thought I would make it this far. It has been a very challenging but rewarding journey and I am so excited for what comes next.”
5,000 students graduate from LJMU
More than 5,000 students graduated across the fifteen ceremonies in LJMU’s summer of graduations 2025.
The celebrations held in Liverpool Anglican Cathedral saw more than 20,000 attendees visit the city to watch their loved ones cross the stage and receive their awards.
Our graduate stories
Throughout the week, we’ve celebrated the unique stories and successes of our students, including:
- the first UK cohort of Audio and Video Forensics Masters students who are helping UK police forces win the fight against digital crime
- law graduates who are giving back to the community with pro bono advice
- art students who are marking 200 years of LJMU’s Liverpool School of Art and Design
- the award winning poet who has just received her PhD
Visit the LJMU news pages to read the stories.
Graduation photos and staying connected
Photos and videos from the ceremonies will be shared on LJMU Connect, the university’s alumni network which graduates can sign-up for to stay in touch with the university about future events, reunions, graduate support, networking and mentoring opportunities.
You can also follow LJMU’s social channels on:
to see the videos and images captured from across the week.
Graduation 2026
The university’s next graduation ceremonies will take place in April 2026 (spring graduation) and then July 2026 (summer graduation).
Invitations for the spring 2026 ceremonies will be sent to eligible LJMU students in the autumn. LJMU’s graduation webpages will be updated with further details.
