It's never too late to learn

4:10pm Sunday 7th September 2008

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IT'S never too late to go back to education, as a Dinas Powys mum-of-three has discovered!

After seeing all three of her children go to university, 52-year-old Diane Pemberton – who left school at 15 – decided it was time she achieved her own educational potential.

Having been interested in midwifery since her first child was born, she decided to have a go at making a career in this challenging field.

So, following advice she received during an open day at the University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff, she undertook a year-long Access to Nursing Course at Barry College, which prepared her to complete a Midwifery Degree and fulfill her long-held ambition.

Diane said" “I was told to do an Access course but I really didn’t believe I could. I thought I was too old.

"However I’ve finished the course and passed all my assignments!"

Her success comes as the findings of a new study revealed that adults who use back-to-study ‘Access’ courses to prepare for higher education are more likely to secure top level degrees than younger counterparts qualifying for university via A-levels.

Each year almost 2,500 people in Wales, who missed out on earlier opportunities to go to university, undertake Access courses to get themselves ready for the challenges of higher education.

The new research by Swansea University academics has shown that more than half of them – 52 per cent – are securing First Class or 2:1 degrees, compared with only 46 per cent of the mainly younger group who gained their places through A-levels.

Access to Higher Education courses, which are validated in Wales by the Open College Network (OCN), are designed not only to give mature students a grounding in the degree subject they wish to pursue, but also to deliver extensive coaching in study techniques, research, essay writing, referencing and other key higher education skills.

As the autumn term approaches, OCN Wales is encouraging more adults who feel they want to attempt a degree course to prepare themselves by signing up for the one-year full-time or two-year part-time Access programme.

Alan Smith, Access Co-ordinator for OCN Wales: “Many of these students are people who have not been in education for a while.

"More than 60 per cent are aged between 30 and 50 and they have a variety of reasons for taking the courses.

“A big majority are women, many of them with children, and a significant proportion of them are lone parents,” he added.

Success story Diane recently received an award at the Barry College annual awards ceremony.

“I’d say to anyone who wants to get back into education – just go for it!" she said.

"The courses are there for you to take advantage of.

"The ages of people on my course range up to 55. I’ve met so many great people and learnt that it’s never too late!”