Claire Burgoyne

My name is Claire Burgoyne, and I studied Access to Art and Design followed by a BA (Hons) Fine Art at South Essex Colleges Group and University Centre South Essex, graduating with a First Class degree. This is my story.

Before returning to education, I worked managing a breakfast club in a primary school and also held a role in a café. While I enjoyed working, I always had a strong passion for art and creativity that I wanted to explore further. Choosing to return to education was a big step and marked a complete change in direction for me.

I decided to study at SECG and UCSE because of its convenient location and recommendation from others. It quickly became clear that I had made the right choice. The environment was supportive, welcoming and inspiring, allowing me to fully immerse myself in my creative practice and develop my skills.

Starting with the Access course helped me prepare for higher education and build a strong foundation. Moving onto the Fine Art degree, I was able to explore my ideas in depth, experiment with different approaches and develop my own artistic voice. The course encouraged critical thinking and gave me the confidence to present and discuss my work.

During my time studying, I developed a wide range of skills. These included public speaking, writing and presenting about my work, and using digital tools that were completely new to me. I also gained valuable experience in curation and developed an understanding of how to work within gallery environments.

One of the most important parts of my journey was the personal growth I experienced. I became more confident, resilient and self-assured, and I built meaningful relationships with others who shared my passion for art. Being part of such a creative and supportive community made a lasting impact on me.

Since graduating, I have continued to develop my artistic practice. I was selected as an Artist in Residence at Leigh Community Centre, where I worked with local groups and facilitated community art sessions. I have also exhibited my work in a number of exhibitions, including The Essex Open at the Beecroft Gallery.

I am now working towards the next step in my education, with the aim of completing a Master’s degree in Fine Art or a similar qualification.

One of my proudest achievements is graduating with a First Class degree, alongside the personal achievements in my life. During my studies, I was also honoured to receive the Hannah Miller Award and the St Mark’s Green Award for Sustainable Ideas in the Arts, which recognised the commitment and direction of my work.

My journey through higher education was not without its challenges. During my final year, I was diagnosed with bowel cancer. Despite this, I was determined to complete my degree and did so just before undergoing surgery. Although I was unable to attend one of my final exhibitions, my fellow students ensured my work was included, which meant a great deal to me and reflects the strong sense of support within the course.

Looking back, higher education gave me the opportunity to grow, evolve and truly connect with my creativity. It helped me find my voice as an artist and gave me the confidence to pursue my goals.