Laura’s dream becomes reality as she receives offer from top university

In line with their delivering excellence values, South Eastern Regional College (SERC) is pleased to announce that once again students from across the College have successfully secured interviews at top universities including Queens University Belfast, Ulster University, St Mary’s University College, Liverpool John Moore’s and Northumbria to name a few.

Students have also secured offers on some of the top degree courses including 20-year-old Laura Close from Crumlin who has secured an offer from Stranmillis University College to study a three-year BA (hons) degree in Early Childhood Studies. On completion of the course Laura said her ambition is to become a play therapist.

On completion of her GCSE’s, the former Crumlin Integrated College pupil decided to enroll at SERC to study the level 3 diploma in children’s care learning and development. During her studies Laura also repeated and passed her GCSE math’s.

On competition of her level 3 extended diploma, Laura decided to stay on at SERC and progressed to the HND in Advanced Practice In Work With Children and Families.

Laura said “the support I got at SERC has been amazing. Thanks to the smaller class sizes the tutors can take time to explain things better. I understood maths much better when I came to SERC as we got to take part in a range of workshops and complete past papers.

“The best thing about SERC is the work experience element which is built into the course. During my HND I was on placement 3 days a week and during the level 3 course I completed 800 hours of practical work experience which enabled me to put what I learnt in the classroom into practice. It has also built up my skills and confidence in working with children. It also gave me something to talk about during my interview for Stranmillis University College and looked great on my personal statement for the USAS application form.

“During my time at SERC I completed work experience in a range of settings including nursery schools, day care nursery’s, special needs schools and primary schools which really helped me to decide which area I wanted to specialise in on completion of the course. Thanks to the placements, I also secured employment at Sleepy Hollow Day Nursery in Crumlin.”

Laura said “College is the way forward over A levels as it gives you the skills you need to succeed. I’m absolutely thrilled to have been offered a place at such a prestigious university.  I was given a lot of support by SERC throughout the interview process, with members of staff conducting practice interviews and preparing me for questions they might ask. The practices clearly helped!  I’m both excited and nervous to start my course, but I feel like I’ve been well prepared both academically and personally for university.”

Karyn Eldon SERC deputy head of school for health, early years and adult education said “I am delighted that Laura’s hard work and dedication has paid off. SERC has a successful programme of support for getting students through the stressful university application process, from helping to draft personal statements, to trips to university open days. We are thrilled that yet again our students are receiving offers from top universities.”

Laura has studied at SERC for four years and is now looking forward to her graduation ceremony at the Belfast Waterfront Hall which takes place on Friday 7 September where she will celebrate her hard work and academic achievements with her family, friends and classmates.

Applications are now open for courses starting in September.