Thirteen J D Wetherspoon pub managers have become the first to complete on-the-job degrees.
Following a specially designed top-up course they will graduate this autumn with a BA (Hons) in Licensed Retail Management through Nottingham Trent University.
They were chosen to go the extra mile from among 39 people who completed the company's Advanced Diploma last year and over the past 12 months have left the bar to attend residential courses delivered by experts in the field.
All passed the exams, which covered issues such as entrepreneurship, business strategies and social responsibility. One, Chris Dennis, has already been promoted to regional property manager as a result.
The 13 are:
Dave Beswick, the Postal Order, Blackburn
Mark Judd, the Whitehouse, Luton
Kim Newstead, the Swan Inn, Weymouth
Dawn Judd, the Whitehouse, Luton
Nic Harper, Wetherspoon's, Victoria Station
Chris Dennis, formerly Lloyds, Gatwick
Tony Burns, the Falcon, High Wycombe
Steve Newstead, the Swan Inn, Weymouth
Craig Pitcher, Dockle Farmhouse, Swindon
Matt Creighton, Bishops Mill, Durham
Jason Kelly, the Billiard Hall, West Bromwich
Jenny Farr, Wetherspoon's, T2 Heathrow
Alec Beattie, Archibald Simpson, Aberdeen