Cheshire College and Macclesfield College held their first joint graduation at Chester Cathedral on 21 October, with Paralympian Karen Darke as guest speaker.
Higher education students from Cheshire College South and West and Macclesfield College graduated together for the first time at Chester Cathedral on Wednesday 21 October, the first combined ceremony since the two colleges merged.
Graduates from the organisation’s four campuses, which include Chester, Ellesmere Port, Crewe and Macclesfield, were joined by family, friends and college staff. The merger took legal effect on 1 August 2026.
They completed university-level courses in engineering, computing, counselling, business, visual arts and education. The qualifications included Higher National Certificates (HNCs), Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) and other professional programmes, the college said.
The guest speaker
The address to graduates came from Karen Darke, the Paralympic gold medallist, author and mindset coach, who spoke about her own experiences and gave advice to the graduates on what comes next, according to the college.
What the graduates said
Joseph, who completed an HNC in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, is now on an apprenticeship. He said:
“It feels great to be graduating. It’s a massive accomplishment and I’m really proud of myself. I’ve always taken a liking to engineering from when I was in high school, and I decided to carry it on as a career through college. I’m now currently doing an electrical engineering apprenticeship, and what I learned in college helped me a lot with getting that role. It gave me a massive step forward.”
Connah, who completed an HNC in Applied Science, said:
“I’m really proud of myself. It’s a big achievement. I have had tutors that really believe in me, and the support has been absolutely incredible. They’ve honestly been amazing.”
What the college says
Helen Nellist, Deputy Principal and Deputy CEO, said:
“Seeing our students graduate is always a proud moment, and this year’s ceremony was particularly special as it marked the first time we have brought graduates from across our newly merged organisation together to celebrate their achievements.”
She added:
“Our Higher Education provision plays an important role in developing the skills needed across Cheshire and the wider region. By working closely with employers and providing students with practical, career-focused opportunities, we are helping prepare the next generation of talent for a wide range of industries.”
The merged college
The college says the merged organisation is the largest provider of post-16 education in the region, with nearly 15,000 students and 1,500 apprentices. It teaches from Entry Level to Level 7, covering A levels, T levels, adult courses, apprenticeships, higher education and training for employers.
It is also the lead provider for the Cheshire and Warrington Institute of Technology, with specialist facilities at Crewe and Macclesfield for engineering and technology students, including a £14.2m building at the Crewe campus. The college says it has invested £200 million in facilities across its campuses; at Chester these include media booths, TV studios, gaming suites, a Digital Hub and 3D printers.
Employers it works with include Bentley, Lloyds Bank, the NHS, Stellantis, Scottish Power, Belong and National Gas, the college said.
Applying for 2027
Applications are open now for higher education courses starting in 2027. Course details are on the Cheshire College South and West website.
The college is also shortlisted twice at the West Cheshire Chamber awards, with winners named on 13 November: our report on the shortlist.
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