University study can be life-changing. Our students have found that their degrees lead them to good jobs, promotions at work, further study or new challenges. Study at Leeds has opened up opportunities they never imagined when they first joined the University. Their lives, and the lives of their families, are different as a result. Here are some of their stories.
Andrea
Former Preparation for Higher Education (PHE) student, now studying for an Advanced Diploma in Nursing (Adult) at the University of Leeds. Andrea took the first step towards a career in nursing despite feeling out of practice with studying.
Before studying the PHE course I was a full-time mother of five children and really out of practice at studying. However I was eager to pursue a career in nursing. I felt that PHE would be perfect to help me gain the confidence to take the next step. I really cannot thank all the tutors on the PHE enough for enabling my ambition to come true, their help and support throughout the course was brilliant.
I am now a student nurse at the University of Leeds and the benefits of the PHE course are already showing. I no longer feel daunted by computers, the essay writing and referencing skills I came away with have really been beneficial to this course and above all I feel more confident. I would truly encourage anyone to enrol on the PHE course if like me they are a little out of practice and would like to fulfil their ambition, it really will help. Thank you PHE!
Asim
Former Arabic and Islamic Studies student now studying full-time for a degree in Arabic and Islamic Studies at Leeds. Studying short courses motivated him to apply for a place on a degree course.
I was always interested in learning the Arabic language at an academic level and attaining a deeper knowledge of Islam. Initially I enrolled for three modules on the Arabic and Islamic Studies programme and successfully obtained the 60 credits required to enrol on the full-time Arabic Islamic Studies degree at Leeds.
I found these courses very flexible and they fitted in well with my full-time job. They were very interesting, taught in a relaxed and professional manner and not too intense. Without them, I would never have had the motivation to begin full-time study again. The courses equipped me with all the skills required to study at degree level.
Chris
Foundation Degree in Family Support graduate who gained greater job satisfaction through relating her studies to her job.
Studying on the Foundation Degree really benefited me in my work. The course was so relevant to the job – it helped me in delivering a truly child and parent-centred service and gave me greater job satisfaction by making the job more ‘real’ somehow. I gained a greater understanding of what we are trying to achieve and professionally I now feel able to speak with more confidence and authority.
Another real benefit of studying was meeting the other students on my course. We were a real support network to each other and between us we all had a vast amount of experience and life skills.
Justine
Current BA Early Childhood Studies student who has found studying boosts her confidence, despite having to juggle work and family commitments.
Studying has boosted my confidence as I now have a good understanding of the policies that affect my area of work. Every module is relevant to my job, and I think that you gain a better understanding of something when you have had a lecture on it, discussed it, researched it and then written an essay about it. As a working single parent it was not easy to juggle the workload, but there was always a sense of achievement (and relief!) when I handed in my assignments. In addition, every module is relevant to my job.
