First student to complete University and Forth Valley College partnership degree graduates

The first student to complete the University of Stirling and Forth Valley College (FVC) BA Art and Design partnership degree has graduated.

Maggie Laidlaw, from Denny, graduated with a BA with Honours in Art and Design (First Class), alongside hundreds of other students during the ceremony held in the Gannochy Sports Centre on June 27.

It was a double celebration for the mum of three, who also received the Thomas Alexander Dunn Prize for Best Overall Student in Film, Media, and Journalism, during a ceremony following the graduation. The award was created in memory of Professor T.A. Dunn, the founding professor of English Studies at the University between 1966 and 1988.

FVC and Stirling forged a partnership agreement last year whereby the University will now validate FVC’s BA Media and Communication and BA Art and Design degrees. The University will also validate an Honours year for the courses which will advance the learning programmes.

Maggie says she found it a challenge juggling motherhood with full time studies but has found the experience “very rewarding”. She added: “I am delighted to have completed the course - it has been a great experience. I would like to thank everyone at the University for their support and for the opportunity to study here. It felt wonderful to receive my First and the T.A Dunn award."

Maggie is going onto further study at Glasgow School of Art.