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South Thames College offers more than 2,000 courses at Centres across South West London, and welcomes students
of all ages, and from many different social and ethnic backgrounds.

South Thames offers a wide variety of full and part-time vocational and Higher Education courses, designed to inspire students to achieve and to help them to find the right career.

Here are the the stories of some recent students who have found success at South Thames College.

Foundation Degree in Long Term Conditions – football wife goes back to college

44 year old Barnes resident Gail Young has gone back to college to study on a higher education course.

After watching one too many football matches with her husband, Gail decided she needed something more stimulating to do in her free time, and called her local college, South Thames.

Already working in the health and social care industry as a Retinal Screening Technician, Gail was enthused to find out that she could develop her career by studying part time for a Foundation Degree in Long Term Conditions. Gail says: " I love my job, but I felt my knowledge of other long term conditions apart from Diabetes (which is the unit I work in) was limited, and as I also love to learn, I decided to look into courses that were available to me. "

A key benefit to studying a higher education course at South Thames College is the flexibility it allows. " The course consists of one day a week at university and the rest of the time being in full time employment," says Gail.

Furthermore, the courses are specifically tailored to the industry, with a core work based element. This means that once Gail graduates she can apply for an Associate Practitioner's post which is more community based.

Gail enjoys the small class sizes and individual attention she receives at college, and says: " It is hard work but the tutors and all staff are very enthusiastic and supportive. I feel life is too short and we should enjoy every day and learn as much as we can about anything and everything. "

HNC Media – Busy mum finds time for Higher Education

This year, 37 year old community worker Sandra Munoz-Alvarez found time to look after her young son, volunteer for two Wandsworth charities, make a promotional film for Wandsworth council and achieve a distinction on a Higher Education course at South Thames College.

It's amazing to think that somehow Sandra has managed to achieve a Higher National Certificate in Media at her local college alongside her other responsibilities. She says a key benefit to studying Higher Education at South Thames College is the flexibility it provides.

"I have a young child so I wanted the flexibility to study towards gaining entry for university without the student loans and costs associated with university. I liked that the course was only one year and it is easy to progress on to a HND. Then you only need to do one year at university to gain a full degree," says Sandra.

The college has also helped to accommodate with childcare arrangements. " I began with the Access to Media course and liked that they helped with childcare at College. I heard about the college in the first place through a community parents' event."

Sandra praises the location and convenience of studying HE at her local college and says: " I would like to do a third year here. I know the staff well and the college environment is cosmopolitan and there’s a nice mix of people."

Sandra’s tutor was impressed with her attitude, saying, " Sandra got involved in every project going and put her heart and soul into her work. I was amazed at the quality of her work, especially considering she had a young child to look after."

If Sandra can find time to achieve a fantastic qualification alongside her busy schedule, then you might be surprised with how much is on offer for you at your local college.

HNC Computing - London colleges have international appeal

Atika Jenahi is originally from Morocco and came to England after marrying a British national.

Atika has always had an interest in computing and worked in the industry in her home country. When she first came to the UK she found it difficult to get a job as her experience didn’t mean much without the equivalent of British qualifications.

Atika took the necessary steps to further her career and enrolled firstly on an ESOL course at South Thames College. She was then able to progress on to a Higher National Certificate in Media.

HNC’s are intensive courses designed for those who wish to update their knowledge and skills,  and from this qualification Atika is able to progress to a degree level programme, usually starting in the second year, or she can go straight into employment.

Atika’s story is testament to the fact that colleges like South Thames really do open doors for people at any age and at any stage in their life. Higher Education in the UK is highly regarded and with this HNC under her belt, Atika is able to move forward in her career and outshine her peers with her industry expertise, both in the UK and at home. 

Access courses open doors for the future

Spanish student Almudena Martas Ruiz came to South Thames College to increase her chances of going to university. She enrolled on a one year intensive Access to Business course which gives students the experience and skills they need before applying to university.

She chose South Thames College to study because of the locality and convenience to her home. A key benefit of studying at South Thames was access to a Progression Agreement, which allows South Thames College to work with partner universities to secure places for exceptional students and increase widening participation for universities.

Almudena, 31 has now secured a place on a business course at King’s College London - the 5th best university in the country and 25th in the world. She says: " Having a progression agreement from South Thames College helped me to realise that I had the right level of experience and qualifications to study at Kings College London. Studying at KCL will help me to work for a big international company and support future job applications."

South Thames College has campuses in Wandsworth, Tooting, Roehampton, Balham and Merton. To find out more about studying at South Thames College, call today on 020 8918 7777 or email: studentservices@south-thames.ac.uk

July 21, 2010