The achievements 6,000 graduates of the Global Banking School (GBS) have been celebrated at graduation ceremonies held in Leeds, Birmingham, Manchester and London.
The ceremonies which attracted the presence of students, families and distinguished guests, recognised students progressing into employment, entrepreneurship and further opportunities across a range of sectors, including construction, business, digital technologies and health and social care.
GBS Graduation 2026
Across its campuses, GBS continues to widen access to higher education through career-focused programmes, flexible learning and employability-led education. Many students have balanced study alongside careers, businesses and family responsibilities, with the average graduate aged 41.
The celebrations come shortly after GBS achieved an overall positivity score of 92% in the National Student Survey (NSS) 2026, outperforming the sector average for the sixth consecutive year.
Among those graduating was Kamrul Islam, who completed his HND in Construction Management while working full-time as an Assistant Quantity Surveyor with Barhale Limited and running his own perfume business, Osken Limited, formerly known as SKE Outlet.
Balancing a full-time career, higher education and running a business required discipline, resilience and strong time management. Throughout his studies, Kamrul applied the knowledge gained at GBS directly to his role in the construction industry, strengthening both his technical expertise and professional confidence.
Completing higher education also fulfilled a long-held ambition for his family. Inspired by his mother's dream of seeing him continue his education, Kamrul credits GBS's flexible timetable with enabling him to balance his studies alongside work and business commitments.
Kamrul said: "Balancing a full-time career, higher education and running a business was one of the biggest challenges I have faced. It required discipline, resilience and commitment, but it taught me that with determination, ambitious goals are achievable.”
"My time at GBS strengthened both my technical knowledge and my confidence while allowing me to continue working and developing my business. Completing my HND is an important milestone and has given me a strong foundation for the next stage of my career."
Yudzhel Medzhnun Shaban, from Penge, South East London, combined studying Construction Management with running his own lift installation business. After identifying gaps in his management and technical expertise, Yudzhel enrolled at GBS to develop the skills needed to grow his company. Through the programme, he strengthened his leadership, project management and technical knowledge while continuing to operate his business. He is now planning to expand the company, create new jobs and support economic growth within his local community.
Yudzhel said: "I came to GBS already owning a lift installation business, but I noticed gaps in my management and technical approach. The course strengthened my knowledge and expertise while allowing me to continue running my company. Now I'm ready to grow bigger and provide more employment in my community. GBS turned my vision into something real."
His story reflects a growing number of GBS students using higher education not only to secure employment but also to launch and grow businesses.
James Kennedy, CEO of Global Banking School, said: "These graduations represent far more than academic success. They demonstrate the ambition, resilience and determination of students who have balanced study alongside work, family and other responsibilities to build better futures for themselves and their communities. Many of our graduates are already helping address skills shortages, starting businesses, creating jobs and progressing into careers that will make a real contribution to the UK economy. That is something everyone involved should be incredibly proud of.”
“As well as celebrating graduates such as Kamrul and Yudzhel, last week – for the seventh consecutive year – we were delighted to hear GBS scored well above the national average in the newly released National Student Survey. We're thrilled to have received 92% across several categories, including learning opportunities, academic support, and assessment and feedback, compared with a national higher education average of just over 80%."
Virendra Sharma, former Member of Parliament and adviser to GBS, said: "Graduation is far more than the award of a qualification; it is a celebration of determination, resilience and ambition. GBS continues to widen access to higher education, creating opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to realise their potential. I congratulate every graduate and wish them every success as they begin the next chapter of their lives."
The graduation ceremonies brought together graduates, families, academic staff and invited guests to celebrate academic achievement and the growing contribution GBS graduates are making to businesses, public services and communities across the UK.