HND

In fact, he likes to joke that his HND qualification from the then Manchester Polytechnic stands for Have No Degree.

HND's appeal against that decision was due to be heard later this month but Cica chief executive Carole Oatway has now written to him to apologise for the way his case was handled.

However their definitions were challenged by Universities Scotland, who said the ONS figures "define a graduate far more broadly than usual", due to the inclusion of various HND and HNC level courses.

The HND photography student at Forth Valley College said: "I am so happy and proud of this award. "Last year I entered the student category and when I was shortlisted, it motivated me to improve.

The college told Ms Maldrik the late issuing of the certificate was due to a block being placed on some candidates by the exam board Pearson which runs the HND qualifications.