The father of murdered Irish student Karen Buckley has collected the degree she was studying for at the time of her death.

The 24-year-old was at Glasgow Caledonian University studying for a master's degree in occupational therapy.

She was murdered by Alexander Pacteau on April 12 last year following a night out in Glasgow.

Her father John collected the degree in a graduation ceremony on Tuesday.

In a statement, the university said: "During GCU's winter graduation ceremonies, Karen Buckley was awarded a posthumous master of science in occupational therapy.

"Her family have asked that her achievements can be celebrated privately."

Ms Buckley, from Cork, had been in Glasgow for a few months when she was murdered by Pacteau, who met her in The Sanctuary nightclub in the west end.

Last September, the 21-year-old was described as a "truly evil coward" by Ms Buckley's father when he was sentenced to life with a minimum of 23 years.

The former private schoolboy bludgeoned the student to death before dumping her body in a barrel of chemicals at a farm lock-up in of Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire.

Judge Lady Rae told Pacteau at the time of his sentencing: "I find it extremely difficult to find words appropriate to describe the dreadful crime to which you have pleaded guilty.

"Karen Buckley was a young woman in the prime of life. She was a visitor to Glasgow, studying to expand her knowledge in furtherance of her career in nursing.

"In a matter of minutes, for some unknown and inexplicable reason, you destroyed her young life and devastated a family."

STV News previously revealed how Pacteau had previously stood trial over attempting to rape a woman in a Glasgow lane in November 2011, when he was aged 17.