Learners celebrate securing dream university places

LAKES College learners are celebrating after securing their first-choice university places.

Students from the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care course at Lakes College were ecstatic to receive confirmation that they would be going on to study at their preferred university.

The learners are going on to study a range of subjects from healthcare to teaching.

Lecturer Charlotte Alston said she was proud of the learners’ achievements.

She said: “They have worked hard for two years, undertaking placements with local employers while completing coursework.

“Level 3 Health and Social Care is an excellent, versatile course, allowing students the flexibility to consider various careers including social work, mental health, psychology, nursing and care.

“Having this opportunity has allowed all of my students to succeed in their chosen university.”

Ruby Malkinson, 18, from Egremont, praised the college for the opportunities provided during her course which have enabled her to study midwifery at Edge Hill University.

She said: “The Health and Social Care course covers topics like safeguarding, psychology, communication, medication, sociology, criminology, and more.

“We also had a weekly work placement, where we could choose a setting related to the course, such as a nursery, doctor’s, primary school or care home.”

Lee Rudd, 18, from Frizington, will be heading to Northumbria University at the end of September.

He said: “I’ve always seen university as the next step in my career journey.

“There’s sometimes a stigma that if you don’t go to sixth form and do your A-levels you won’t be able to go to university, but college is just a different learning environment.”

Ebony Heels, 18, from Keswick, will also be attending Northumbria University to study social care. She stressed how prepared she feels for her university course.

“College gives you an advantage because you learn so many different things,” she said. “At a university open day, they were doing a practical session, and I realized I had already learned what they were showcasing.

“Especially with topics like safeguarding — which are deeply embedded in our course — I feel like I’ll be ahead of others because we’ve already covered a lot of essential material.”

Caitlin Cunningham will be heading to Edge Hill to study Nursing while Evie Dixon will be going to Northumbria University to study Primary Education.