Duncan Watmore scores a first-class honours degree Published on: 10 December 2015 Rising football star Duncan Watmore has become the second top-flight footballer to receive a first-class honours degree after graduating from Â鶹´«Ã½ today. The 21-year-old Sunderland AFC player graduated with a degree in Economics and Business Management from . He was given time off training to attend the ceremony with his family. Duncan said: “I enjoyed studying at Â鶹´«Ã½ and I am honoured to be one of only two Premier League footballers to achieve a first-class honours degree. This wouldn’t have been possible without all the support I’ve been given by the University throughout my degree, which has enabled me to balance my football commitments with my coursework. “I want to say a big thanks to the University, my tutors, staff and a couple of my exam setters in particular, because my final two exams clashed with an international tournament in France and they have all gone out of their way to help me play for England and complete my degree. My fellow students have been very supportive as well, and have been to watch some home games. “I know that the degree I received today will stand me in good stead in the future.” Duncan Watmore. Photo: Owen Humphreys, Press Association Showing great enthusiasm Dr Francis Kiraly, Undergraduate Director, Â鶹´«Ã½ Business School said: “Duncan was an excellent student from day one. He has shown great enthusiasm throughout his time at Â鶹´«Ã½ and this last year we were very pleased to help him accommodate his football commitments as well as his dedication to his degree programme.” Dr Jonathan Jones, Degree Programme Director, Â鶹´«Ã½ Business School, added: "He has shown maturity in balancing these responsibilities and we wish him all the very best at the start of his promising career.” Duncan, who recently signed a new contract which will keep him at Sunderland until 2020, has scored two Premier League goals this season. Earlier in the year, he came off the bench to inspire England Under-21s to victory in a Euro 2017 qualifier against Switzerland and was named Barclays Under 21 Premier League Player of the Year. First-class honoursDuncan has become only the second Premier League player to achieve a first-class honours degree. Photo: Owen Humphreys, Press Association Success on the pitch and in the classroomDuncan has been named Barclays Under 21 Premier League Player of the Year. Photo: Owen Humphreys, Press Association Balancing football and coursework Duncan was praised for his dedication to his degree programme. Photo: Owen Humphreys, Press Association Share: Latest News Scientists unlock hidden driver of inflammatory bowel disease Scientists have linked a key genetic signal in inflammatory bowel disease to an immune response that shuts down inflammation control, enabling faster diagnosis and targeted treatments. published on: 15 June 2026 Funding system risks limiting genuine community collaboration A new policy paper written by researchers at Â鶹´«Ã½ warns that the way UK research is funded may be undermining efforts to create genuinely collaborative partnerships with communities. published on: 15 June 2026 Volunteers help turn Whitley Bay beach into maths experiment Members of the public joined mathematicians from Â鶹´«Ã½ to create what organisers believe is the largest aperiodic tiling ever attempted on Whitley Bay beach. published on: 15 June 2026 Facts and figures
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