Mark Rae: “Having had such a long period out of education, college gave me the confidence that I would be successful in my studies”

“College helped me to see that I was capable of going to university,” said Mark, who joined Leicester College to do an Access to Higher Education (Visual Media Communication) course.

The access courses are designed to help students who have been away from education, or don’t yet have the grades needed to apply, to prepare for university level study.

“Having had such a long period out of education, college gave me the confidence that I would be successful in my studies,” he told our Alumni Team. “Essay writing has been the hardest part of university for me. I had a twelve year gap from education so getting used to essay writing again has been difficult to get used to.”

Mark is now studying a BA (Hons) in Media Culture and Production at Southampton Solent University. He also told our Alumni team about his highlights of university.

“Being able to get work experience on a production for the BBC is a highlight,” he said. “I was a runner/driver on the location shoots in Southampton for the two part documentary Conviction: Murder at the Station.”

Mark now has the opportunity to use his newfound skills to start his own business.

“I am in the process of opening my own events and promotions company with a fellow student on my course, using the skills we have learnt over the last three years,” he said. “In five years’ time I will hopefully be running a successful business.”

He also had some words of advice to others hoping to return to education and get a higher education qualification.

“Don’t panic, universities and colleges provide great support, you can do it whether you’re a mature student or younger student,” he said.

Thanks Mark, and the best of luck with your degree.

For more information on our Alumni, please visit https://alumni.leicestercollege.ac.uk