“It was the best thing I ever did” says Pathway student

A mature student is celebrating this week after graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in History.

Sian Hart, now 55, started her higher education journey with one of the University’s ‘Pathways to a Degree’ programmes in 2017.

The Pathways are designed to help adults return to education and study towards a degree, with teaching taking place in the evenings and at weekends in a friendly and relaxed setting.

Sian said: “I started work at 18 but always loved learning. I attended various night classes over the course of some 20 years including studying GCSEs as a mature student.  I really enjoyed history, and the University’s pathway to a degree course gave me the confidence along with my tutor - Dr Paul Webster’s - encouragement to apply to university part-time.”

Sian followed the Exploring the Past Pathway, which covers topics including history (ancient, medieval and modern), archaeology and world religions. The pathway usually takes a year to complete and as well as a qualification, students also get help with submitting degree applications and interviews.

Speaking about her degree, Sian said: “My view of the world has changed, it has opened my eyes to the political landscape of our country, and the phrase ‘knowledge is power’ is certainly true, as it has given me so much more confidence in everyday life.”

Dr Paul Webster who leads the Exploring the Past Pathway and is a lecturer in medieval history at the University said: “It is fantastic to see Sian’s passion for history and her dedication to studying pay off in her successful achievement of a History degree. Sian is an inspiration to anyone returning to study who would like to follow in her footsteps to achieve their dream.”

Cardiff University has several pathways to help people study for an undergraduate degree, including history, English, media, journalism and culture, law, modern languages, music, medical pharmacology, and social sciences. More information about the Pathways to a Degree programme is available here.

Sian’s advice to anyone considering a Pathway as a route to beginning a degree is: “I would say if this is something you have always wanted to do and you have the determination to carry it through, I would encourage you to apply, it was the best thing I ever did.”