Francesca’s Story

30 year Francesca Benson from Bury St Edmunds gained a merit on her BA (Hons) applied interior design course.

Francesca posed for a photo with her son Tyler and her twin boys called Hunter and Blake. She said: “It was a good course and I’m now going to do a PGCE. I used to be a chef but I think teaching will be better hours for me in terms of having three children.”

On taking a degree, she said: “I did a degree later in life and age shouldn’t define you or be a barrier. I went to university thinking I’d be the oldest one in the class but I wasn’t – everyone should do it (a degree).”

24 year old Dominic Whiteley from Oulton Broad near Lowestoft received the overall student of the year award.

On winning his award, he said, “I was ecstatic when I found out. The hard work has paid off.”

Dominic gained a first class honours on a part time electrical engineering degree pathway.

On passing his degree with top honours, he said: “I was thrilled with the news. It was what I was aiming for and I am pleased with what I achieved.”

On his course, the Birdseye employee said: “I enjoyed my time with the course. People were supportive. I felt very comfortable at the college and would 100% recommend it to others.”