Dan and Kate Archer

A couple from Stourbridge, who tied the knot only months ago, have graduated together from the University of Worcester, on the same day.

Kate Archer earned a degree in Educational Studies while her husband, Dan, achieved a Foundation Degree in Learning Support.

The couple, of Wollaston, were among more than 3,800 students who graduated from the University this year, collecting their certificates during a ceremony at Worcester Cathedral.

“Graduation was made more special by graduating together in front of both sets of parents,” said Dan, 28. “We are more proud of each other than we are of ourselves.”

The pair met when they were working together in Bromsgrove. Dan works as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant in the mainstream Autism Base across Meadows First School and Parkside Middle School, while Kate is a teaching assistant at Meadows First School. They have been together for four years and got married in August.

Kate, 27, completed a Foundation Degree in Learning Support last year and has now completed the full BA (Hons) degree. Both Kate and Dan have been supported by their schools throughout their studies.

Brought up in Stourbridge, Dan, a former Ridgewood High School and Stourbridge College pupil, said: “Kate completed her degree whilst planning the wedding, which was in August of this year. So we’ve had a wedding and graduation within a couple of months. We chose Worcester as it was recommended by past students and for its quality of educational degrees, which also allowed us to combine studying with full-time jobs.”

The couple said studying at the same university on virtually the same learning pathway had its benefits and challenges.

Kate, a former South Bromsgrove High School pupil, who grew up in Bromsgrove, said: “Dan is quite competitive. This is a disadvantage of studying together as he is always trying to better my grades. But overall we just support each other as we know how difficult it can be to juggle studying and work.”

Dan said: “For me the best part of studying at the same University was being able to share in the experiences, especially graduation. However, it does add a competitive edge.”

Kate now plans to take a year to focus on work, but plans to do a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) at Worcester next year to enable her to become a teacher. Dan is continuing his studies at Worcester, topping up his Foundation Degree to achieve a Bachelor’s degree in Educational Studies. Long-term he also wants to be a teacher, focusing on children with special educational needs.