Over 2400 students have been conferred with awards at DCU's Autumn Convocation ceremonies. Of these, a record 103 candidates were awarded Higher Degrees by Research.

The Chancellor's Medals, awarded annually to an outstanding undergraduate and postgraduate student , were presented to Rebecca Townsend and Colin Moran respectively.

Rebecca was awarded a First Class Honours degree BCL Law and Society, part of the first cohort to graduate from this new programme. Commending Rebecca for the Chancellor's Medal, Dr John Doyle, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences said,

"Rebecca Townsend is an outstanding candidate for the Chancellor's Medal and a deserving winner. She has been an outstanding student of this University for the past three years, from her academic ability and achievements, to her sporting engagements, her external charity work and her ground-breaking establishment of DCU FLAC. Rebecca is not only an impressive student, and now DCU graduate, she is generous and eager to provide services to others. The service-to-others approach adopted by Rebecca in every aspect of her life is admirable, and worthy of praise. Rebecca does not do these things for praise, but her efforts, and indeed success, are surely praise-worthy. Today we congratulate Rebecca and heartily wish her every success in her future endeavours."

Colin Moran, who graduated with a first class Master in Business Administration received his award for his dedication and excellence both on and off the field of sport. Dr Anne Sinnott, Executive Dean of DCU Business School said,

"Colin is most widely known for his sporting success as an elite GAA athlete. He played for the Dublin Senior GAA football team from 1998 until 2009, when he was forced to retire because of a recurrent injury. During his football career, he captained the Dublin senior team in 2006 and 2007, and won many major honours, including five Leinster Championships (two as Captain), two Railway Cup interprovincial titles, and the O'Byrne Cup. As a minor, he won a Dublin Championship with Ballyboden-St Enda's. Colin is the resident Gaelic Football expert on TV3's, "Ireland AM" during the Championship season. In this role he is widely respected for his deep love for, and knowledge of, the game and his balanced and insightful analysis. Across the spectrum of his activities, academic, sporting, media and in his business career with Bank of Ireland, Colin never gives less than 100%, and strives for excellence in everything he does."

The first cohort of students graduated in 2012 in the following new programmes:

• Masters in Engineering, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
• Graduate Certificate in Information Technology
• Graduate Certificate in Health and Safety at Work
• Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy
• Bachelor of Nursing Theory
• Bachelor of Arts in English and History
• Diploma in English and History
• Doctor of Psychotherapy
• Bachelor of Civil Law (Law and Society)
• BSc in Actuarial Mathematics
• BSc in Applicable Mathematics
• BSc in Financial Mathematics
• BA in Applied Languages and Intercultural
• MSc in Intellectual Disability Health Care Practice
• BSc in Enterprise Computing
• Graduate Diploma in Corporate Leadership
• Master of Science in Management for Sustainable Development
• Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Energy Finance