August 05, 2019 - 1383 views
Coleg Llandrillo students and their families and friends recently attended an awards ceremony at the college's Rhos-on-Sea campus to celebrate student achievement.
Over 50 students celebrated being presented with their passports to university-level study, after successfully completing their Access to Higher Education (HE) programmes at the college's campuses.
The ceremony was hosted by Sara Brown, programme leader for Access to HE at the Abergele campus. The ceremony's special guest was Dr Elizabeth Mason from the School of Health Sciences, Bangor University, who is an ex-Coleg Llandrillo Access to HE student.
The 2018/2019 academic year at the college has been a particularly successful one, with the majority of successful students having now received course offers from their first choice university. Destinations include Bangor, Chester, Liverpool and Manchester universities.
The Access to Higher Education programme has been provided by Coleg Llandrillo for over 30 years. It is a flexible programme that is designed for adults who have few, if any, school qualifications, but who wish to prepare for university-level study.
The highlight of the ceremony, the individual 'Learner of the Year' awards, were presented to Joanna Pearson (Rhos-on-Sea campus) and Iola Rowlands (Abergele campus).
Joanna was working as a radiographic assistant for four years, but wanted to get a degree in Diagnostic Radiotherapy, so enrolled on to the Access to HE course at Rhos-on-Sea.
She said; "I am delighted to receive this award. The tutors were friendly, approachable and helpful, and always encouraged all of us to produce our best work. I would say to anyone contemplating enrolling on the Access course…come to college and prove how good you can be!"
Iola was employed as a food retail manager before enrolling on the Access to HE course at the college's Abergele campus, but always dreamed of a career as a social worker.
She added; "The tutors were brilliant and very supportive and the college has helped me achieve my goal. I would highly recommend Coleg Llandrillo for anyone wanting to change their life."
Access pathways available at the college include Science, Social Sciences, Humanities, Humanities and Social Sciences, Health Science and Health Care.
Sara Brown, Coleg Llandrillo's Access to Higher Education programme leader, said:
"Access to Higher Education opens the doors to new opportunities. It is a fast-paced, dynamic route to university for mature students who are looking for a change in direction in their career, or who may not have the traditional entry qualifications to study for a degree.
"Enthusiastic and experienced tutors help to release previously untapped potential. Support from fellow students, together with the advice and guidance network this college offers, allows the aspirations of many to become a reality.
"Grateful students from previous years keep the momentum going by returning to encourage current students with their stories of honours degrees and exciting new careers".
