We would like to congratulate two LUMS undergraduate students on being awarded final year degree prizes. Accounting and Finance students Khulat Hashmi and Ellie Woodward were awarded the prizes in recognition of their exceptional performance during their studies, with Khulat receiving the Outstanding Final Year Degree Performance prize, and Ellie receiving the Industry Degree Prize.

Dr Catherine Salzedo (Accounting & Finance Industry Degrees Director) said of their achievements “Khulat was an excellent student ambassador helping with open days and tours and representing the university during her time at Lancaster, and she has secured a very well-deserved graduate role with EY. Ellie has also been an excellent student ambassador and had a very successful placement year at Mazars during her degree, and producing a very highly ranked dissertation. We would like to wish both Khulat and Ellie all the best with their future careers!”

Khulat Hashmi said of her award "Studying Accounting and Finance at Lancaster University has been easily one of the best decisions of my life. There have been ups and downs but ultimately, I have never had a dull moment and wouldn't change a single second of it.

I never imagined I would get this award and I would like to take this opportunity to thank my Department, LUMS and the University as a whole for all the support I have received from them over the past three years. They have encouraged me to not only challenge myself with my studies but also to become involved in the whole University experience, including getting jobs and taking part in society/club activities. So I would just like to say to everyone reading this that you can balance education with extracurriculars and get amazing achievements. The university experience is what you make it!

I have secured a graduate job at EY (one of the big four financial services firms) in their audit function. As part of this, I will continue with my studies, allowing me to become an ICAS-certified accountant. I cannot wait to get started and am very grateful to have this certainty during such a difficult time.

To all those that didn't achieve the grades or jobs that they wanted - please don't lose heart, everyone's journey is different and no ones' is smooth all the time!"

Congratulations to Ellie and Khulat, and we would like to wish them all the best with their graduate roles.