The annual Open University graduation ceremony – held each year at Ely Cathedral – returned to the city on Saturday (June 2).

Ely Standard: The Open University East of England graduation ceremony held at Ely Cathedral last Saturday (June 2). PHOTO: Mike RouseThe Open University East of England graduation ceremony held at Ely Cathedral last Saturday (June 2). PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Students arrived at the Lady Chapel for registration and refreshments with their family and friends and prepared for the many photographs to come.

Before the ceremony a 30 minute programme of organ music filled the cathedral as the graduates got into their robes and prepared to enter through the west door.

A spokesman for Ely Cathedral said: “Each year bears witness to the extraordinary achievements of the Open University students.

Ely Standard: The Open University East of England graduation ceremony held at Ely Cathedral last Saturday (June 2). PHOTO: Mike RouseThe Open University East of England graduation ceremony held at Ely Cathedral last Saturday (June 2). PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

“For these degrees are like no other. Every student graduating will have sacrificed leisure time, sleep and family time to be standing, robed, in the cathedral nave on this day in June.

“For most watching, it will stir memories of what they have done in support of this achievement.

“The unique ‘supported open learning’ model offered by The Open University allows students to fit studies around their other commitments.

Ely Standard: The Open University East of England graduation ceremony held at Ely Cathedral last Saturday (June 2). PHOTO: Mike RouseThe Open University East of England graduation ceremony held at Ely Cathedral last Saturday (June 2). PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

“The success of this model is borne out by the sheer numbers of participating students, more than 170,000.”

Ely Standard: The Open University East of England graduation ceremony held at Ely Cathedral last Saturday (June 2). PHOTO: Mike RouseThe Open University East of England graduation ceremony held at Ely Cathedral last Saturday (June 2). PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: The Open University East of England graduation ceremony held at Ely Cathedral last Saturday (June 2). PHOTO: Mike RouseThe Open University East of England graduation ceremony held at Ely Cathedral last Saturday (June 2). PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)

Ely Standard: The Open University East of England graduation ceremony held at Ely Cathedral last Saturday (June 2). PHOTO: Mike RouseThe Open University East of England graduation ceremony held at Ely Cathedral last Saturday (June 2). PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Mike Rouse)