A Human Resource graduate at Bucks New Uni has just been crowned Chiltern Student of the Year.

Sarah Dives, 28, won the Chiltern Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s award after achieving distinctions across the board and the highest marks in the Human Resource Management masters course.

The ambitious graduate works as a HR business partner at the Chartered Institute of Building and was promoted from HR Assistant during her degree.

She also achieved the highest mark in her dissertation called “A Generation Game: The Impact of Generation on Employee Engagement”.

Ms Dives, who was sponsored by the CIOB throughout her qualification said: “I was thrilled to win the award. I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved during my studies, and it’s a great way to celebrate the end of two and a half years if hard work - particularly given the high standards I set for myself!

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Bucks New University. The course has been challenging but we had a brilliant team of lecturers who really understood the pressures of undertaking postgraduate study while working full time. They really helped us get the most out of the course and also to apply what we were learning to our roles.”

"Dorothy Smith, Learning & Development Consultant at the CIPD, added: “It was a pleasure to present the award to Sarah. In achieving this award Sarah reached the highest standards for a qualification which tests the knowledge, skills and behaviours of those taking it, and who show high levels of dedication to their personal development whilst balancing work, home and study.”