Durham University graduate Eliza Cummings-Cove gets first-class degree with dissertation on the Kardashians

Having initially picked the topic as a 'joke', the student came to realise 'there was probably a lot more to the family than meets the eye'

Aftab Ali
Student Editor
Friday 08 July 2016 15:23 BST
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The student explored the hit reality TV show's role on women's issues in a post-feminist world
The student explored the hit reality TV show's role on women's issues in a post-feminist world

A student at one of the nation’s top universities whose dissertation on the Kardashians was looked at as something of a joke has had the last laugh after discovering she’ll be graduating with a first-class degree.

Durham University sociology graduate, Eliza Cummings-Cove, wrote almost 10,000 words on the family’s role as a “postfeminist fairy tale” for which she received 76 per cent, meaning she just managed to complete her studies with a top-class qualification.

According to the Mirror, the student binge-watched more than 80 hours of the hit reality TV show, and even watched an older series while keeping on top of season 11 at the same time.

Speaking to The Tab in April upon submitting her unique dissertation on arguably the most famous family in the world, she had said her friends thought her dissertation topic idea was “completely ridiculous.” A law finalist at the university even told her: “Every time I see your stupid title, it makes me sad.”

However, the student persevered and realised “there was probably a lot more to the family than meets the eye.”

The student told the Mirror she was “euphoric” when her dissertation was submitted, and “very, very happy” upon discovering her score from a friend.

The Russell Group graduate said her friend came back “looking really mischievous,” and when she got no answer when she asked if she got a 2:1 or 2:2, added: “She shook her head again, grinned, and then told me I got a first - I couldn’t believe it.”

Set to pick up her hard-earned degree at Durham Cathedral on Friday, the graduate reportedly intends to release a book on postfeminism and women’s issues using her findings.

With many debating the unusual choice of dissertation topic on social media, however, it seems there have been others over the years that have been more different.

According to the Guardian, a King’s College London student received a 2:1 after debating “the possibility of unicorns,” while a Westminster University graduate landed a first with his title of ‘A Critical Analysis of the Entrepreneurialism behind UK Acid House Rave Culture in 1989 and How the Music Changed British Pop’. Phew.

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