MORE THAN 250 people attended a graduation ceremony at Dundee University Students’ Union yesterday for the graduates of this year’s access summer school.

Eighty students graduated from the 10-week intensive course designed to provide an entry route to university for those unable to qualify through other avenues due to adversity.

At least 70 of those students have secured places with the university to begin studying for their degree.

University rector Craig Murray, vice-principal Professor James Calderhead and Lord Provost John Letford were at the event and at the conclusion of the ceremony joined students and their families for an end-of-school celebration.

Among those graduating and winning themselves places at the university, starting in the autumn, were a father and son and a pair of sisters, all from Dundee.

Father and son Oliver and Kieran Rankin will both start degree courses in town planning, Oliver (41) going straight into second year and Kieran (18) to first year.

Also celebrating summer school success are Dundee sisters Angela (21) and Rachel (18) Steele. Angela has gained a place on a philosophy and history degree, while Rachel is going on to do psychology.

Angela said, “We’ve really supported each other doing this through the summer and the good news is that we’re now going to university together.”

Dr John Blicharski, course director and the university’s access and participation manager, said, “Many former students have used this course as a launch pad to great things.”