Greatness has undoubtedly graced your lecture theatre.
Okay, it’s not your mate who threw up in a 9am after a mad one the night before, but, trust us, greatness has been there.
Every university has former students who have gone on to do wonderful and amazing things.
But who is your university’s greatest former student?
Check out these magnificent people from the world of business, science, sport, art and, well, pretty much everything.
Aberdeen
John Macleod
Close second: Author Ali Smith This Scottish biochemist and physiologist has awarded the 1923 Nobel prize in Physiology or Medicine.for his significant role in the discovery of insulin, which has gone on to solve an untold number of lives of people with diabetes.
Anglia Ruskin University
Pink Floyd’s Syd Barrett and David Gilmour
Close second: St. Trinian’s creator Ronald Searle
Frankly there wasn’t a lot of choice so, as one of the UK’s most recognisable rock exports, it’s not surprising that Syd Barrett and David Gilmour are Anglia Ruskin’s coolest former celebrities. Gilmour effectively replaced Barrett after the latter was turfed out the band for his increasingly erratic behaviour.
Birmingham City University
TV presenter Kirsten O’Brien
Close second: Comedian Frank Skinner
As a presenter on CBBC’s art show, SMart, O’Brien inspired a generation to pick up a paint brush, felt tip pen or PVA glue and get creative and what is greater than that?
Cardiff University
Welsh rugby union international Jamie Roberts
Close second: TV presenter Susanna Reid
That’s DOCTOR Jamie Roberts to you. The Wales and two-time Lions rugby player is not only one of the greatest player seen in the last decade but he’s also bloody clever as well. The 6ft 4in centre is already a doctor and is currently studying for a masters in medical science at Cambridge University.
Coventry University
Pauline Black
Close second: Titanic (and loads more) film producer Kevin de la Noy
The singer of 2-tone ska trailblazers The Selector is not just the Queen of Ska but a bloody good actor as well. The multi-talented performer helped put Coventry’s music scene on the map with tracks such as Too Much Pressure and On My Radio and won awards for her portrayal of Billie Holiday in the play All Or Nothing At All.
Kingston University
Eric Clapton
Close second: Former England rugby captain Lawrence Dallaglio That naughty rock star Clapton was actually kicked out of Kingston University (under its former guide of Kingston College of Art) for ‘concentrating on his music’. Lucky he did because Eric went on to win 18 Grammys and was named the second best guitarist of all time by Rolling Stone magazine, pipped by (you guessed it) Jimi Hendrix.
Leeds Beckett University
Kevin Sinfield
Close second: Full Monty director Peter Cattaneo Leeds Rhinos great, Sinfield, is the highest point scorer for the Rhinos and in Super League history. He is also the only captain to have lead a side to three consecutive titles. In rugby league, there are few who can challenge his greatness.
Liverpool John Moores University
John Lennon
Close second: Comedian and writer Caroline Aherne No explanation is needed for this one. So instead here’s a fun fact about The Beatles legend: He was once threatened with expulsion from Liverpool College of Art for sitting on a nude model’s lap.
Loughborough University
Sebastian Coe
Close second: Athlete Tanni Grey-Thompson Unsurprisingly, Loughborough’s most famous alumni comes from the world of sport. And while it was tough to pick from the multitudes they have, Sebastian Coe went on to achieve great success as the chairman for the team which organised the London 2012 Olympic games.
Sheffield Hallam University
Nick Park
Close second: Dame Kelly Holmes
One of Britain’s, nay the world’s, greatest ever animators. Nick Park has been nominated for six Oscars (winning four) but more importantly created Wallace and Gromit, Chicken Run, Shaun The Sheep and Creature Comforts and delighted families around the world.
Swansea University
Alun Wyn Jones
Close second: Paralympian Liz Johnson
Sportswise, Swansea can often be overshadowed by their Cardiff counterparts but the Swans do have a former student in the most important role in Welsh sport: the national rugby union captain. Alun Wyn Jones is also his country’s second most capped player and won nine caps for the British and Irish Lions.