Some 4,000 students will be stepping up to receive their degrees

For the first time, the university is broadcasting its four days of degree ceremonies live over the internet.

Viewers will be able to watch the Archbishop of Wales and former BBC news correspondent Kate Adie among those being given honorary fellowships.

Organisers hope the move will be particularly popular with relatives of its international students.

More than 4,000 graduating students and 9,000 guests will attend eight ceremonies at Cardiff's St David's Hall starting on Monday.

Now they (my family)can just watch me getting my degree at their desks Carly Aston

But those who cannot get tickets or cannot travel to the city will be able to see the live stream on the web.

Robyn Moran from Cardiff University Information Services said: "Graduation day is an annual highlight in the university calendar.

"We are delighted to give friends and families who are unable to attend the ceremonies the opportunity to watch the graduations live on the web.

"This is a new service and we are confident that it will be warmly welcomed, particularly by families of our international students who may not be able to travel to Cardiff."

Carly Aston, 21, who is from the west of England, said she was pleased her four siblings would not miss out on her graduation on Tuesday.

"We couldn't get tickets for them all and anyway they're at work so wouldn't have been able to take the time off.

Kate Adie is being honoured with a fellowship

"Now they can just watch me getting my degree at their desks," said the graduate in journalism, film and broadcasting.

Among those being conferred with fellowships are Kate Adie, the former BBC Chief News correspondent, the director general of the CBI Digby Jones, the co-founder of the environmental charity Forum for the Future Jonathon Porritt, and the Archbishop of Wales Dr Barry Morgan.

To provide the live web-cam, the university has invested in specialist video streaming hardware and software, as well as a high speed network connection to St David's Hall in the city centre.

The streaming of this year's graduation is being carried out as a pilot, and the university is seeking feedback on the service from students, staff and parents.