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Great-grandad becomes Britain's oldest graduate at 87

Published: Thursday, 29 July 2010   Category: All Graduate job news

An 87-year-old man from Hampshire has become Britain's oldest-ever graduate, it emerged yesterday (July 28th).

Great-grandad Bill Eaton left school without any qualifications at the age of 14 but decided to embark on a distance learning course in 2004, the Daily Mirror reports.

After finishing his studies, he received his Certificate in Theology from Spurgeon's College in the traditional fashion, dressed in a gown and mortar board.

The former RAF engineer explained that the experience will stand him in good stead for his work as a lay-preacher in Portsmouth and he is now planning to undertake a full degree.

"I have loved every minute of it," he said in an interview with the newspaper.

"It took me six years to complete. I spent hours and hours studying every week, including some late nights."

Meanwhile, Baron Phil Willis claimed in a recent Yorkshire Post article that attending university is no guarantee of being able to secure a job.