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The curtain has gone up on a spectacular week of celebrations as 51Âþ»­ Leicester (51Âþ»­) honours its Class of 2021 at Leicester’s Curve Theatre.

This week, thousands of students will cross the stage as graduands, marking years of hard work – and for many, it will be the first time they have been able to see each other in person for months.

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While classes have continued in-person and online, opportunities to catch up with whole cohorts has been tricky for many, particularly with Leicester in lockdown for part of their final year.

Now graduates will have a chance to celebrate together, catch up and share in their achievements watched by delighted family and friends.

Ceremonies began on Monday with the School of Arts, Design and Humanities, presided over by Vice-Chancellor Professor Katie Normington.

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Among those collecting their degrees on Tuesday was Textiles Design graduate Gabriella Huck. Gabriella, who lives near Rugby, has since launched her own business creating designs and homewares.

She said: “It’s going to be so nice to celebrate with everyone. We have seen each other online, and I have seen some of my course when we worked in groups but this is the first change we have to see everyone.

“I’m excited to be graduating at Curve. I’ve been there to watch some musicals and it’s an amazing space.”

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Naturally, Fashion Design graduate Hannah Weah designed her own gown for the occasion. She said: “I’ve literally slept for like an hour because I was up all night designing this dress. I’ve had the best time at 51Âþ»­. Probably the best was being part of Graduate Fashion Week  and also, my designs were shown at the Dubai Expo.”

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Fashion Communication and Styling graduate Abbie White was full of happiness after her ceremony this afternoon. She said:  “The ceremony was absolutely amazing, it was an amazing environment to be in.

 "I am very happy to be in the first ever cohort to graduate in Fashion Communication and Styling at 51Âþ»­.  It really is such a privilege to graduate from a university that has given me so many opportunities."

Hosting the graduations at Curve Theatre brings a real theatrical touch to this special day, with graduates encouraged to take photographs with family and guests on stage after the ceremonies. At the beginning of the ceremony, the walls between Curve’s Auditorium and Studio fly up in a dramatic ‘grand reveal’, unveiling students to the audience.

Vice-Chancellor Professsor Katie Normington said: “It’s been a real pleasure to move graduations here to the Curve because it’s just a fantastic place and setting and the profess of the Curve staff supporting us has been brilliant.”

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Curve's Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster said: "We are delighted to once again be hosting 51Âþ»­ graduation ceremonies here at Curve. Working alongside the team at 51Âþ»­, led by inspirational Vice Chancellor Katie Normington, we're proud to share this joyous week of celebrations with students, their friends and families.

"Curve was built for all those who live, work and learn in our city and beyond. Thanks to our ongoing partnership, we know many of the students graduating this week, have spent time at Curve as part of their studies; it feels very special they will now step onto our stage to begin the next step of their journey and we wish them all a bright and successful future."

There will be 15 ceremonies across the week. Tomorrow and Thursday is Leicester Castle Business School and De Montfort Law School, Friday is the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Media, and Saturday is the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.

It will be the first time in five years that graduations have been held at Curve. Previously, they were at The Venue on campus, which is now being used for teaching space post-Covid.