St Andrews University students celebrate during online graduations

Celebrations worldwide included a TikTok inspired pass the cap video with the Class of 2020 graduating students, which premiered on social media at the end of the virtual degree conferral week last Friday.

Degrees were conferred on the Class of 2020 via virtual ceremonies, which were shared on the university website and social media channels.

A total of nine degree conferral videos were created for each ceremony, featuring a virtual ensemble performance from the members of St Salvator’s Chapel Choir, graduation addresses from principal, Professor Sally Mapstone, prayers from the Reverend Dr Donald MacEwan, and special messages from the chancellor, the Rt Hon Lord Campbell of Pittenweem, alongside the degree conferrals read by the principal and the deans.

Messages from fellow students, friends and family were shared on social media using #Saints2020 during the week of the virtual ceremonies.

The Class of 2020 joined in the celebrations online, recreating their own garden parties and slice of St Andrews around the world.

Some virtual graduands were photographed, from a safe distance, on their doorsteps, with their partners, flatmates, families and pets, as part of ‘Doorstep Saints’ – a creative visual project with graduating students across Scotland and the UK.

Sophie Tyler, who graduated with a MA in Geography (First class) and took part in the Doorstep Saints project, said: “I think we are going to be some of the most resilient graduates the university has ever had.”

Honorary graduand and alumna of the university, Dr Fiona Hill, recorded a special message for the Class of 2020 virtual degree conferrals.

She said: “We are living through a difficult time in our history that will require all of us to step up and put our skills to the test.

“Education is not just about acquiring information but doing something with it.

“You are graduating from one of the oldest and greatest universities.

“At many junctures in St Andrews’ storied 600 years there have been times like this, when the world needs those with a St Andrews education to set things to rights.”

To watch the pass the cap video, visit the website – www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLTPtBoRwTg.