It is usually home to football fans, willing the Canaries to secure a victory against their rivals.

But Carrow Road was this week, for the first time, the stage for the University of East Anglia's (UEA) graduations, which saw thousands mark the end of an era.

Eastern Daily Press: UEA medical students throw their caps at their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYUEA medical students throw their caps at their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Roughly 4,500 students have graduated this week, and a host of honorary graduates including former Norwich MP Charles Clarke and astronomer Mark Thompson.

Eastern Daily Press: UEA medical students read out the Hippogrtic Oath at their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYUEA medical students read out the Hippogrtic Oath at their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Today marks the last of the ceremonies, with economics students and those in the school of education and lifelong learning still yet to don their gowns.

Eastern Daily Press: The UEA medical students thank their families and friends at their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe UEA medical students thank their families and friends at their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

On Thursday, the university's medicine students marked their graduation, including the first cohort of 25 physician associates.

Eastern Daily Press: Friends and family take pictures during the UEA medical students' graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYFriends and family take pictures during the UEA medical students' graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

They will perform patient consultations and management, with supervision by, if needed, a doctor.

Eastern Daily Press: UEA medical students during their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYUEA medical students during their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Dr Audrey Gibbs, course director, said: 'We're very proud of our first cohort of qualified UEA physician associates. As pioneers, they experienced challenges but were dedicated and hardworking and can be proud of their success.'

Eastern Daily Press: UEA medical students during their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYUEA medical students during their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Among the students who have graduated this week is Vicky Bristow, who now has a degree in BSc cognitive psychology.

Eastern Daily Press: The UEA medical students graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe UEA medical students graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

The 41-year-old said studying at UEA had transformed her from someone who was 'afraid to leave the house' into a strong woman.

Eastern Daily Press: UEA medical students wait for their turn at their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYUEA medical students wait for their turn at their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

'I was very ill after giving birth to twins in 2009 after having two haemorrhages, both of which would have killed me without intervention from a skilled medical team and six units of blood,' she said.

Eastern Daily Press: UEA medical students have their robes and hats tidied before their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYUEA medical students have their robes and hats tidied before their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Both her children were diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, and she was told they would be wheelchair-bound for the rest of their lives.

Eastern Daily Press: UEA medical students during their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYUEA medical students during their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

They underwent various operations while she was studying, and now are progressing well with walking.

Eastern Daily Press: UEA medical students during their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYUEA medical students during their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

After graduation, she plans to study for a masters in cognitive neuroscience at UEA.

Eastern Daily Press: UEA medical students during their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYUEA medical students during their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

This week also marks the last year of graduations that mace bearer Dennis Howard will lead the procession.

Eastern Daily Press: UEA medical students during their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYUEA medical students during their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Mr Howard has worked in the university's security team for 15 years, and has been involved with graduations for six - but will retire in October.

Eastern Daily Press: UEA medical students during their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYUEA medical students during their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: UEA medical students during their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYUEA medical students during their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: The procession walks round the pitch at the UEA medical students' graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe procession walks round the pitch at the UEA medical students' graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: The procession walks round the pitch at the UEA medical students' graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe procession walks round the pitch at the UEA medical students' graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: UEA medical students before their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYUEA medical students before their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: Medicine and health sciences staff Bridget Penhale, left, and Diane Bunn take advantage of the UEA graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground, and take a picture at the Norwich City dugout. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYMedicine and health sciences staff Bridget Penhale, left, and Diane Bunn take advantage of the UEA graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground, and take a picture at the Norwich City dugout. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: UEA medical students before their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYUEA medical students before their graduation ceremony at Norwich City Football Club's ground. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)