At SAE Glasgow, graduation does not feel distant or formal. It feels familiar.
“It’s not a massive event where you’re clapping for hours and you don’t know anyone,” says campus manager Nick Roan. “It’s small, it’s personal, and everyone knows each other.”
This year’s ceremony, celebrating the Class of 2025, marked the third SAE graduation held at Saint Luke’s in Glasgow’s East End. Once a church, the building now serves as a live music venue, blending historic architecture with a modern creative atmosphere.
For Nick it reflects exactly what SAE is about.
“It’s got the past formality of a church, but it’s also a place where creative work happens every day. It really fits the vibe.”
Around 43 students graduated across Audio, Film, Content Creation and Music Business, stepping onto a stage more often used for gigs than ceremonies.
A graduation built on people, not numbers
What sets SAE apart, Nick says, is the scale and the relationships behind it.
At many universities, ceremonies are large, anonymous and stretched across hours. Students wait for a brief moment on stage, often surrounded by strangers.
At SAE Glasgow, it is different.
“The lecturers and staff are as excited as the students,” Nick says. “It really marks what we’ve done together and how people have grown.”
Because of the close working environment, graduation feels less like a formal obligation and more like a shared celebration between collaborators.
“It’s a really lovely day. We’re celebrating the students, but also the journey we’ve all been on together.”
Alumni stories that come full circle
One of the highlights of the ceremony came from alumni speaker Serign Sanneh, who returned to share what he had achieved since graduating.
During his Master’s studies, Serign focused on creating funding opportunities for African artists. That work has since grown into a real initiative, helping musicians access the support they need.
“For us, it felt like we’d really helped him get there. It was a lovely moment,” Nick says.
The ceremony also included recognition for previous Campus Manager Tommy Wylie, celebrating the many years he has given to the community. His award now hangs at the campus entrance.
A moment for the whole SAE community
Graduation is not just about the students on stage. It is also a chance to connect them with the wider SAE network. Senior leaders attended the ceremony, helping students see the bigger picture of the organisation they are now part of.
“It allows students to connect with the larger company. They can see the bigger picture of what we’re trying to do,” Nick says.
For the Class of 2025, the day was not just about receiving certificates. It was a celebration of projects completed, skills developed and relationships built along the way.
“It’s about celebrating the students and everything they’ve achieved.”
In a venue that blends tradition with creativity, surrounded by the people who shaped their journey, SAE Glasgow’s graduates did not just mark the end of a course. They marked the end of a shared chapter, and the start of what comes next.
Inspired by our alumni? Visit SAE Glasgow
If stories like Serign’s have inspired you, the best way to understand life at SAE is to experience it for yourself.
Book an Open Day at SAE Glasgow to tour the studios, meet lecturers and students, and see where your own creative journey could begin.
