Higher Education students celebrate achievements at graduation ceremony

There were smiles aplenty and proud faces as the HNC/D students from NSCG’s own higher education course provision gathered at Newcastle College’s £5.5 million Performing Arts Centre to collect their caps and gowns before receiving certificates from event co-host Steve Tellwright, HR Director for Capula Ltd.

In total, 36 students earned the right to graduate after completing Level 4 or higher courses in subject areas including; Health and Social Care, Music Production, Performing Arts, Business and Travel and Tourism, with all graduating students progressing on to top-up degrees or employment on completion of their HNC/D programme.

In addition to those graduating, two outstanding individuals from each college campus were recognised and presented the ‘HE Student of the Year’ Award for the hard work, commitment and determination they’ve shown throughout their programme of study.

HND Business student, Daniel Whalley, who runs his own successful company offering freelance website search optimisation services alongside his studies, was named ‘HE Student of the Year’ and said this of his time on the HND programme: “Initially, I attended university elsewhere, but came back to Newcastle College as I felt that the HND better met my needs. The course has been flexible enough to allow me to run my own business, and the dedicated support from lecturers and masterclasses have helped me progress in a friendly and familiar environment.”

Daniel now plans to complete his degree, progressing to the University of Derby in September, to study Business Management.

HNC Health and Social Care student, Hannah Barcroft, left school without any GCSEs, but was keen to work in care. Having originally enrolled on a BTEC Level 2 Health and Social Care course, she passed the course with flying colours, obtaining her GCSE English grade C along the way. This gave Hannah the confidence to progress further and complete the BTEC Level 3 Health and Social Care and HNC in Health and Social Care.

She said: “I used to get really stressed about completing my assignments, but each one I completed gave me more confidence for the next. Doing the course has made me believe in myself. Getting a degree was something I never thought was possible, but now it’s within reach”.

Event organiser, Liz Wyman, Head of Resources and Guidance for NSCG said: “NSCG is the largest further education provider in Staffordshire, and bolstered by our considerable higher education provision we are the College of first choice across the region, offering a fantastic range of courses, taught by staff who are experts in their field. Last year’s ceremony was the first of its kind since the merger of Newcastle and Stafford College and to be able to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of our higher education students and see as a Group our own higher education provision go from strength to strength, is a wonderful thing to be a part of.”

Liz added: “We are incredibly grateful for all the family and friends who could be with us to celebrate the incredible achievements of our HNC/D students, and we wish our graduates the best of luck in the future.”

Click here for more information about studying Higher Education courses with Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group