Students from Furness College were celebrating this week after achieving a qualification that will allow them to progress to university.
Dozens of students on the Access to Higher Education course had their achievements recognised at the Channelside campus after a year of study.
Many will now go on to do degrees at universities including the University of Lancaster, UCLAN and University of Cumbria.
Keith Wardle, Head of Area for Access, said the students’ achievements were ‘outstanding’ and he praised their perseverance especially as they completed their course during the lockdown, due to Covid-19.
“To achieve these amazing results is testament to the hard work, commitment and resilience shown throughout what have been hugely challenging times,” he said. “It is immensely rewarding to see so many of this year’s students now progressing onto university and future careers ranging from nursing and midwifery to social work and law, with many in key worker sectors.
“All the staff wish each and every one the best of luck and success in the future.”
Among the students collecting their results this week was Lawrence Fitzsimmons who is now going on to study Film Studies at Salford University with the aim of a career in film exhibition or film journalism. “I found the course challenging at first but once I got to know what was expected it became straightforward and I was well prepped by my tutors.
Another successful student is Marie Clifford, who has achieved a place at the University of Lancaster to study a degree in criminology with law. “I wanted to go to university and achieve higher qualifications. The course was full on but I loved every minute of it,” she said.
Other students talked about their career plans, which are now possible due to the qualification.
Grace McFarlane said she chose the Access course because she wanted to set up for her career and long-term future in counselling or psychotherapy. “It allowed me to balance work with my studies and gave me the best of both worlds. I found the course challenging however the support network I received was exceptional and I would recommend this course to others.”
Others spoke of achieving their dreams of careers in forensic psychology, social work in the police force, hospital radiography and intensive care nursing.
For more information about higher education courses at Furness College visit the website www.furness.ac.uk/university-education or email [email protected] To find out about the Full–time Access to University Diploma and the subjects offered as part of this, visit: https://www.furness.ac.uk/courses/course-detail/course/fulltime-access-to-university-diploma-university-pathway/
