Graduation day for NUCA students

Graduation took place on Tuesday 29th June in St Andrews Hall, Norwich for 320 graduating students at the Norwich University College of the Arts. There were two ceremonies at 11am and 2.45pm for the graduates in Art, Media and Design courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

This year the University College presented Honorary Doctorate awards to Production Designer Stuart Craig OBE and previous Principal Susan Tuckett.

Norman Stuart Craig was born in Norfolk in 1942. He attended school in Norwich and went on to the Norwich School of Art before studying in London at the RCA. Amongst his achievements are 8 Academy Award Nominations, including three wins for ‘Gandhi', ‘Dangerous Liaisons', ‘The English Patient', and 12 BAFTA nominations with wins for ‘The Elephant Man' and ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'.  

Stuart has been Production Designer on all the Harry Potter films and has most recently designed Harry Potter World at Universal Orlando at JK Rowling's request. He has been honoured with a lifetime achievement award by the Art Director's Guild. He was presented with his Honorary Doctorate in the 11am ceremony for art and media students.

Susan Tuckett served as Principal between 2001 and 2008 and oversaw the institution's achievement of University College status in her final year in the post.  Susan received her Honorary Doctorate in the 2.45pm session with students from the School of Design.

"In specialist institutions such as the University College the end of year shows and the Graduation ceremony are the culmination of much creative work and, for graduates, the beginning of their career," commented Principal Professor John Last. "We are delighted to award Honorary Doctorates to both Stuart and Sue and recognise their contributions to the creative industries, an inspiration for the next generation of artists, designers and creators as they enter a new stage in their lives."