Honours Degree for Access Student

8th August 2007 9:14am - Return to press releases

Successful Tracey Neve, from Leconfield has just been awarded a first class honours degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of York St. John.

Tracey was working at Marks & Spencer in Hull, where she had worked for 25 years since leaving school, when in 2003 she called into the College for some advice and guidance as to what her options were, disillusioned with retail but thoroughly enjoying the customer service side of things, Tracey knew she enjoyed working with people. The idea of ?helping others to become independent? really appealed to Tracey and after talking things through with Dennis Young, Welfare & Guidance Manager, Tracey embarked on a year long Access to Higher Education course, choosing the Health & Social Care pathway.

The Access to Higher Education courses are specifically design for those people returning to education or who want to attend university without having gone the traditional A level route. Tracey told us ?I found the Access course gruelling at first, but with the help and support of the tutors at East Riding College I soon settled into the workload, whilst it was hard work, it really prepared me for the challenges of university, and once I was there, I was so glad that I?d done the course?.

Straight afterwards, in 2004 Tracey gained a place to study at the University of York St. John where Tracey studied full time over 3 years. Tracey also supplemented her studies with part time work in nursing homes, and with the Humber Mental Health Bank, to gain practical experience. All of which paid off when Tracey recently graduated with a BSc in Occupational Therapy (first class). Tracey is currently looking for her first permanent role and we wish her the best of luck.