Triple award success for music therapy graduate
A music therapist from Wilmslow, Cheshire has graduated with distinction from Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh and received three prestigious awards in recognition of her academic excellence, personal development and the high regard in which she was held by her classmates.
Twenty-four year-old Catriona Munro graduated with an MSc Music Therapy at QMU’s graduation ceremony at the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, on Monday 6 July 2026. She was joined by Queen Margaret University’s Chancellor, Patrick Grant – entrepreneur and judge of BBC One’s The Great British Sewing Bee. Catriona and her fellow graduates also celebrated alongside human rights activist Fatou Baldeh MBE, who was awarded an honorary degree in recognition of her campaigning work to protect women and girls from violence and discrimination, and to eradicate female genital mutilation (FGM).
Alongside her degree, Catriona received three music therapy programme awards. She was presented with the ‘Make a Splash Award’ for a project that showed outstanding critical thinking and has the potential to contribute to new knowledge to the field, while the Shoogle Award is presented to students who embrace diverse perspectives and allow themselves to be transformed throughout the programme. She also received the Standing Ovation Award – The Students' Student Award, having been nominated by her classmates in recognition of the respect, encouragement and support she brought to her cohort.
Catriona's dissertation, Between Music Therapist and Daughter: Navigating Loss and Forming Self in the Context of Parental Young-Onset Alzheimer's Disease, was awarded distinction and reflected her commitment to exploring the personal and professional dimensions of therapeutic practice.
My time at QMU has been both challenging and rewarding, helping me grow personally and professionally. I'm grateful to everyone who supported me throughout the course and excited to begin my career as a music therapist, supporting children and families through music.
Before joining QMU, Catriona completed a first-class honours degree in music at the University of York. During her postgraduate studies, she gained experience supporting children, young people and families in paediatric palliative care settings, as well as adults accessing learning disability services. She now aims to secure a role as a music therapist so she can support children and families through compassionate, person-centred care and continue to work with this group in palliative care settings.
Immediately after graduation, Catriona travelled to Bologna, Italy, to attend the World Congress of Music Therapy, which brought together researchers, practitioners and students from across the globe. The conference provided an opportunity to learn from leading figures whose work had influenced her studies and to gain insight into international approaches to music therapy. She was also proud to see lecturers from QMU presenting their research on the global stage.
Graduating with distinction, three programme awards and valuable international experience gained at the World Congress of Music Therapy, Catriona leaves QMU ready to make a lasting difference through music therapy, helping children and families navigate some of life's most challenging experiences.
For further media information contact Lynne Russell, Communications Manager, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, E: lrussell@qmu.ac.uk (copy to E: pressoffice@qmu.ac.uk).
