Among this year’s standout graduates are Samantha Elson-Jones and Nadeem Sardar, whose inspiring journeys demonstrate that it is never too late to achieve academic success.
For many students, Results Day marks the culmination of years of hard work, determination and personal sacrifice. For Samantha and Nadeem, it also marks the successful return to education after spending decades away from the classroom.
From Access Course to First-Class Honours
Samantha Elson-Jones achieved an outstanding First Class Honours degree in LLB Law, having started her higher education journey through an Access to Higher Education course after realising she lacked the qualifications needed to pursue her ambition of becoming a lawyer.
Returning to education at 33, after 17 years away from study, Samantha balanced university life with raising three children, including caring for two children with additional needs.
Samantha said: “I was 33 when I applied for my Access course because I wanted to do my law degree but didn’t have the qualifications. Truro offered me that opportunity.”
Throughout her studies, Samantha credits the support of her lecturers for helping her navigate challenges and maintain confidence in her abilities.
“I really feel like without their support, I wouldn’t be here now.”
As well as studying for her degree, Samantha continued competing as an international Brazilian jiu-jitsu athlete.
In a reflection of her determination, she joked: “I came in with a few concussions, but thankfully they didn’t affect my grades!”
Following her First-Class result, Samantha will progress to the University of Law in London to study an LLM Master’s degree.
“I’m Gobsmacked”: Nadeem’s First-Class Surprise
BSc (Hons) Applied Programming graduate Nadeem Sardar arrived on Results Day expecting a 2:1. Instead, he opened his results to discover he had achieved a First-Class Honours degree.
His reaction was immediate.
“I’m gobsmacked. I was expecting second class, but I achieved first class, which is really good. Very exciting.”
Nadeem returned to education after a 22-year break while balancing family life, work commitments, a wife and two young children.
Having previously worked as a Fibre Operating Engineer with BT, he decided to retrain and pursue a new career path through higher education.
Despite the challenges, he remained focused on his studies and graduated with the highest classification possible.
“It was tough, but I put my focus on it. I made some priorities and made sure I was focusing time on my studies.” Nadeem is now looking ahead to the next stage of his academic journey and has applied to study MSc Cyber Security at Plymouth University.
A Year of Outstanding Achievement
This year’s results highlight the growing success of the University Centre Truro & Penwith’s flexible higher education offer, which enables students to study close to home while balancing employment, family commitments and other responsibilities.
Whether progressing from Access to Higher Education programmes, changing careers, or returning to study after significant time away from education, students continue to demonstrate that higher education can be transformative at any stage of life.
Dr Emily Myatt, Associate Director and Dean of the University Centre Truro & Penwith said: “We are incredibly proud of this year’s graduating cohort and the outstanding results they have achieved. With more than 76% of students graduating with First Class or Upper Second-Class Honours, these results reflect the commitment, ambition and academic excellence that define our University Centre community.
“Many of our students choose to study locally while balancing employment, family responsibilities and other commitments. Their success demonstrates that high-quality higher education can be both accessible and transformative, enabling people to achieve their goals without leaving Cornwall.
“On behalf of everyone at the University Centre Truro & Penwith, I would like to congratulate all of our graduates and wish them every success in the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.”
Graduates will now look ahead to celebrating their achievements at Graduation in October at Truro Cathedral, as they join a growing community of University Centre alumni making an impact across Cornwall, the UK and beyond.
Applications remain open for those wishing to begin their own higher education journey with the University Centre Truro & Penwith.
