I have a background in engineering and started as an engineering apprentice when I was 17.  I was a metal worker by trade and then I progressed to a technical engineering role - by accident I then got into teaching. The company I worked for had a number of younger apprentices and their rationale was ‘you're the youngest person, they're young, can you help them?’ and that's how I got started!

From there, I had various roles including being an Assessor, Operations Director of a large training provider, an Ofsted Inspector and then I went to work at a large college as a Director of Apprenticeships.

I worked there for a number of years until I set up my own business in 2018. Currently, I work as an Education and Quality Assurance Consultant so I do lots of work with local colleges, helping them set up their curriculum and their apprenticeship programmes.

I studied for my Bachelor of Arts degree in Education two years ago and, to be honest, I was absolutely petrified! I've worked in a vocational role for a number of years and returning to studying was very daunting.

I shouldn’t have been though as I was blown away by the support I received from the University Centre. The course allowed me to find parts of my brain that I didn't know I had, which was amazing. I finished up in 2022 and ended up with a first-class honours degree, so I thought I'm going to come back and do the Master’s programme. I think it was more of a personal goal when I first started. I thought, if I get it first, I'll keep going and I have, and it's been equally rewarding.

I think it's opened so many doors too. I always thought my career was sort of mapped out for me, whereas now I don't think it is.

It was mainly the staff, to be honest, that was one of the key drivers in my decision. The level of support that we've had here, and the knowledge of the staff, is just outstanding. I learn something every time I have an interaction with a member of staff. It’s the whole organisation -you think that you have to go to a top university, but I would happily compare the knowledge that the students have gained and the professionalism of the staff against any university in the country, because I think it's just outstanding.

I think the support - not just by the tutors, but by the whole University Centre. They've got good library facilities, access to papers online and good peer support groups. I often come to the Library on Saturday mornings as there are dissertations to read and the staff are really supportive. There’s an excellent source of online resources to use.

It’s also much smaller than a traditional university. I think that helps to get the best out of people.

The research!

It's a chance to carry out research in a live environment and it's a chance to work with peers who have similar interests. I think the benefit of being a mature students, is that you've got that life experience to share and I think that that’s huge. It's not your formal chalk and talk delivery, it's the best. The sessions are delivered in a way which facilitates our learning, we're so involved.

What drives me and inspires me is being able to help develop the next generation. I got into teaching many, many years ago to help the next group of engineers. I think what I'd like to do with my Master's degree is to go into a Headteacher role. I’d love to not only develop them from an academic perspective but also from a personal perspective and teach them life skills. That's the bit that's missing, I think, and that's what this degree has done for me. I feel like it’s my calling.

It's been a total eye opener. Since I've been at the University Centre, I've learned from Shona and Leo, they're both doing PHDs in Education. All the tutors I've come in contact with have got relevant experience. They both have papers published regularly, so what they're telling you, it's up to date, it's current and it has a real impact. I'm totally inspired by both, and I think they are outstanding.

A more personal challenge I experienced was a lack of self-belief. I went from a Bachelors degree to Master's degree and the difference in level is phenomenal. I learned to be kind to myself and give myself time to develop those skills, but to know in the back of my mind if I do need support, help and guidance is on hand all the time.

I just enjoy being here and collaborating with my peers. I normally turn in about half an hour early to just sit and have a cup of coffee and talk to people, it's just a lovely experience.

It's fantastic. I live locally and I have all my life, the city's got a buzz about it. It's an old cliché, but it's the best town in the country. It’s so friendly and there’s so many things that I geared up for students, but not just your typical sort of pubs and clubs. It’s more about investment in the city to help students thrive and continue to contribute to the local economy.

It gave me the confidence to apply for those jobs that were out of my comfort zone and level of skill and experience. It allows us to take 44 years of experience of life and put it into a qualification.

I work for myself at the moment but I'm being drawn to go and work. I would love to work in a school as a Headteacher or a Deputy Headteacher. I really want to have some influence on the next generation

It's one of those degrees where, from an external perspective, it sounds complex and difficult. It's not easy, but it's rewarding. It's so rewarding.

Enlightening, life-changing and happy!