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Amanda Rowney

At South Essex Colleges Group, our Access to Higher Education courses are designed to help you take that next step with confidence. Whether you are returning to education after time away or looking to change direction, these courses give you the knowledge, skills and support you need to progress to university level study. Amanda’s story shows how it is never too late to start again and move towards a new career.

My name is Amanda, I am 35 years old, and I studied Access to HE Business Management at South Essex College from September 2020 to July 2021. This is my story.

After school, I continued my studies at SEEVIC College, where I completed an AVCE in Business Studies. At the time, I felt ready to move into work and start earning, so I began working for a construction company in London. In 2016, after starting a family, I decided to move closer to home and continued working within the housing sector for a local developer.

Although I enjoyed working, I realised that I wanted to progress further in my career. I had an ambition to study for a BSc in Building Surveying, but I did not have the qualifications needed to take that next step. That is what led me to enrol on the Access to Higher Education Diploma in Business Management.

The course gave me exactly what I needed. It helped me rebuild my confidence in learning and showed me that it is never too late to return to education. It also gave me the foundation I needed to move forward with my plans.

Since completing the Access course, I have started my degree and now study alongside working part-time for my employer. Being able to balance work and study has been challenging at times, but it has also been incredibly rewarding.

Amanda rowney 2

One of the most valuable parts of education for me has been the opportunity to meet new people and experience different perspectives. It has opened up new opportunities, both professionally and personally, and helped me feel more confident about my future.

I would definitely recommend South Essex Colleges Group. The course was easy to access, the college is convenient to travel to and the tutors were supportive and approachable throughout. Having access to the right resources and guidance made a real difference to my experience.

The biggest thing I have gained from this journey is confidence. I now know that I am capable of learning new things and working towards goals, no matter my age or where I am starting from.

If Amanda’s story has inspired you to return to education or take the next step in your career, an Access to Higher Education course could be the perfect place to start. Our courses are designed to prepare you for university and help you build the confidence to succeed. Explore your options and join us at an open event to see how you could begin your journey.