THERE was a break from traditional gowns and mortar boards when Silvana Pelc-Wesoly took to the stage to receive her degree.

Dressed as the computer game character Super Mario, Silvana hugged vice-chancellor Professor Debra Humphris before collecting her criminology and sociology BA(Hons) award.

She was one of almost 1,000 who attended the university’s winter graduation ceremonies at the Brighton Centre.

Award recipients ranged in age from 19 to 72 and were from 61 countries around the world.

The centre was packed with friends and family – including a graduate’s new-born baby, cared for during the ceremony by its grandmother.