Leeds Trinity alumnus to take on further study 48 years after graduating

Seamus Ryan, a former student who graduated from Trinity and All Saints College (TASC) in 1975, is to return to Leeds Trinity University in 2023 so he can take on the challenge of completing a degree all over again.

During his time at TASC, Seamus studied Geography and Professional Studies and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Education 48 years ago.

He went on to have a successful career in education, teaching in schools in both Leeds and Batley, and held roles including Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher and Head of Department for Humanities.

Seamus, who lives locally to Leeds Trinity, has continued to use the library and sports facilities on the Horsforth campus since leaving and has now decided to return as a student on the MSc Health and Wellbeing degree.

The distance-learning course aims to equip senior leaders and strategic thinkers in health and wellbeing with the knowledge, skills and expertise to enable them to take a leading role in responding to complex subjects including mental health, weight management, the healthy environment, workplace wellbeing, healthy ageing and contemporary issues. On completion of the course, Seamus hopes to pass on the knowledge and skills he has learnt onto others.

Seamus said:

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at college both socially and academically, perhaps with an emphasis on the former, and crucially met my wife to be there. I’ve always felt an affinity with the College, now a University of course, and on deciding to do further study it was an obvious choice.

“I chose Health and Wellbeing because it’s different from anything I’ve done before, yet my grounding in Sociology and Geography and the social inequalities inherent in those disciplines provide a good basis from which to start.

“I’m looking forward to starting the course, which will be delivered and assessed in ways I’ve not experienced, and I’ll be interested to see how student life has changed since those halcyon years in the 1970s.”

Nicola Arjomandkhah, Associate Professor (Teaching and Learning) in the School of Sport and Wellbeing, said:

“We are looking forward to welcoming Seamus back to studying at Leeds Trinity. The MSc Health and Wellbeing course is an online course designed for students to study at a time that suits them. We hope Seamus enjoys studying this time around and has a great experience getting to know the staff and his fellow students.”

Brett Arnall, Alumni Relations Officer at Leeds Trinity, added:

“It is fantastic to see one of our alumni return to further their studies with us, especially so many years after graduating.

“As a University, we offer a number of ways to make sure our graduates remain a part of the Leeds Trinity community after their studies have come to an end, including via careers support, sharing news and access to events, so it is equally as pleasing to hear Seamus still feels connected to us and was keen to come back.

“I wish him the best of luck with his studies and look forward to hearing about his progress.”

For more information on the MSc Health and Wellbeing degree at Leeds Trinity University, visit the website.