THREE Malvern students are celebrating after securing first class honours in their degrees.

Megan Freya Nash-Ceen, Derek Knaggs and Julian Davidson will graduate from the University of Worcester with the highest classification during a week of celebrations at Worcester Cathedral in November.

Miss Nash-Ceen, 25, of Welland, took Business Management and said she was proud and relieved.

She now has a job in a building society and will study to become a chartered accountant.

While at the University, she was awarded a scholarship for academic achievement, two awards for outstanding performance and another for Undergraduate with the Best Average Grades in the Final Year.

Mature student Mr Knaggs studied Computing and plans to use his new skills, particularly web development, to work for companies who use the latest web technology.

The 41-year-old, who had previously studied at a college in Zimbabwe, was able to use his first year Open University degree as a first year equivalent.

He said: “Doing a degree with a family and small children is hard, but when you achieve good grades and ultimately a first class, it makes it all worthwhile.

“I have really enjoyed doing my degree and learnt a huge amount with great support from the lecturers.”

Mr Davidson, 23, of Malvern, who took Psychology, said: “I feel very honoured and proud.

“I showed to myself that I can achieve whatever I want to do in the future, regardless of what people have said in the past, if I just have the belief and desire to work hard and stay focused.”

The former Worcester Technology College pupil hopes to build towards a job helping people using his new skills and knowledge, such as counselling, but starting with some social work to find out what suits him best.