Mature Students

Anne Marie successfully secured a place at St. Mary’s University College on the BEd (Hons) in Primary Education majoring in English.

Anne Marie was nursing for 5 years before she returned to education. She completed 'A' levels at her local college and secured a place on the BA English degree at Queens University in Belfast. 

Whilst at university she married and the following year, just before her final exams, her first child was born. She had intended to return to her studies however she withdrew from her degree programme when her second child was born. She stayed at home and cared for her young family. 

As the years passed Anne Marie qualified as a registered child minder and cared for many children. She undertook numerous part-time courses to develop her skills.  During that time she qualified as an essential skills tutor. When her children were in their early teens she applied to St. Mary’s to become a qualified primary school teacher - "I must have been confident I would get a place at St. Mary's because it was the only application I made. My attitude was if I wasn't going there I wasn't going anywhere!" She was successful.

"The staff at St. Mary's are fantastic, very supportive and helpful. Life at St. Mary's has been one of the most enjoyable experiences, like everything else in life it has not been without its struggles i.e. pressures to meet deadlines for assignments, preparing for teaching practice and studying for exams etc."

Donna responded to an advertisement for the BA (Hons) Liberal Arts degree at St. Mary’s University College in Belfast and submitted an application which was successful.

“I had always wanted a degree and as I had performed so well at ‘A’ levels I knew I had the ability. English was my first love and in 2002 I commenced the 3 year BA in Liberal Arts majoring in English. I didn’t know then that this degree was to become my passion over the next 3 years, it was a real labour of love.”

Donna was fortunate to have the support of her family and whilst at St. Mary’s she availed of every student opportunity. She became a peer tutor, supporting and mentoring other students and she undertook a 3-month ERASMUS placement (international exchange) in Seville, Southern Spain. She taught in a Spanish school 3 days per week and attended the Spanish university campus 2 days a week, travelling at weekends.

Donna was very proud to graduate with a ‘First class’ honours degree and was presented with the ‘BA Endeavour award’ for high marks in English and the ‘International memorial Outreach’ award.

“I was particularly touched and humbled by this outreach award as it was dedicated to the memory of Eugene, a student who tragically died in a skiing accident.  I felt honoured that Eugene’s father was at the ceremony and my thoughts were with Eugene‘s mother as I too had experienced the loss of my child.”

Donna  enrolled in a Masters in Modern English Language and her ambition is to lecture one day.

“My three years in St. Mary's University College were the happiest of my life so far. I am missing the place terribly.”

Bronagh successfully secured a place at St. Mary’s University College on the BEd (Hons) in Secondary Education Technology & Design.

By the time she had reached the age of 18 Bronagh had dropped out of her ‘A’ levels studies, married and had her first child. Her second child was born three years later. She worked for a pharmaceutical firm as a quality assurance technician for five years until the company introduced shift work which was not conducive to raising a young family. Bronagh reluctantly resigned to care for her family and her third child was born a few years later. 

Bronagh's siblings had attended university and she knew she had the ability to do the same. She made enquiries at Newry Institute of Further & Higher Education and she enrolled on the 2-year Access to Science and Technology course validated by the University of Ulster.

“ It does take a lot of courage to take that first step but once you do it, you’re flying”

She worked hard, passed the first year and eventually graduated from the Newry Institute.

“I was so very proud of what I had accomplished and as my dad had passed away shortly beforehand I took my Access certificate to his grave to show him what I had achieved, I just know he is proud of me.”

She was thrilled to undertake her initial teaching practice at a local school and is enjoyed her degree programme at St. Mary’s University College.

“The technology department at St. Mary’s was excellent and the staff very encouraging.  It feels like home from home and not because I am often there until 10pm!”

“My subsidiary subject is ICT and I am fortunate that my son enjoys this subject and likes to help me out, whilst my daughter who is studying English ‘A’ level proofreads my assignments and provides constructive feedback whilst my youngest daughter helps with household chores when I have a lot of work to do. I am very fortunate to have the support of all my family.”

“I would advise anyone to go for it.  I am thoroughly enjoying my experience at St. Mary’s and look forward to what the future years will bring.”

Nuala successfully secured a place at St. Mary’s University College on the BA (Hons) in Liberal Arts majoring in English.

In her teens Nuala obtained qualifications in Typing, Bookkeeping, ‘O’ level Maths and English and a BTEC Diploma in Business Studies.  When she left school she worked for several years before getting married and having her first child. She now has four children.

When her third child was in Nursery School Nuala commenced lifelong learning and participated in part-time parenting programmes to support her children's literacy needs. Nuala has achieved NVQ levels 1, 2 and 3 in Childcare and Education, excellent ‘A’ Level grades in English and History, the ECDL and a City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Diploma in computing. She also achieved a recognised Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language.

Nuala applied for St. Mary’s twice and eventually succeeded in securing a place on the BA in Liberal Arts majoring in English. She became a peer tutor and an elected student representative for her year group.  She is proud of everything she has achieved, especially her commitment to life long learning and her desire to change her educational status to achieve her personal career goals.  She is thoroughly enjoying her degree course and now that her daughter is also completing a degree they support and encourage each other.

“I’d advise adult learners to be positive about their own abilities and never let anyone tell them that improving their educational skills is not worthwhile.”

“Higher Education is available and accessible; it just takes a person to be motivated to achieve something for themselves.”