Education and Learning B.A. (Hons) Student Levels Up Career Path

Ian Moore aged 44 is a mature student currently pursuing a degree in Education and Learning B.A. (Hons). In 2021, supported by his partner, he made the decision to leave full-time employment in pursuit of further education aiming to retrain as a teacher in adult education.

‘In 2019, after spending 23 years coasting through life without pushing myself, for no other reason than it was easy and convenient for me to do so, I decided I wanted more for myself.’

He applied to retake his maths GCSE at Wigan and Leigh College, initially with the goal of enhancing his job prospects but lacking a clear direction for his future. However, upon commencing his GCSE studies, he rediscovered his passion for learning and excelled in mathematics, becoming a resource for his peers who sought his assistance in reviewing their work when the tutor was occupied.

Recognising his aptitude, Ian's tutor suggested the possibility of a career in teaching. While he initially brushed off the idea, mentioning it to his partner sparked her enthusiasm as she believed Ian had the potential to become an excellent teacher.

‘Halfway through my GCSE, I decided I wanted to push myself further with maths and applied to the University of Bolton for the Polymaths course, daring to dream that I may go on to do a degree in maths after that.

In September 2020, following the completion of his maths GCSE, he embarked on the course. The leap in difficulty caught him off guard yet he persisted and ultimately finished the course in 2021 with a commendable score of 75%. Despite this achievement, Ian had concluded that pursuing a degree in maths was not his path, though he remained eager to challenge himself.

‘The option of teaching maths as a career had never left me, so I applied for a degree in Secondary Education with Maths and QTS, after a discussion with the programme leader I was offered a place on the Education and Learning B.A. (Hons).’

Over the course of three years studying Education and Learning, Ian observed personal growth and developed a passion for learning driven by a desire to maximise his potential. The supportive and encouraging nature of the tutors greatly contributed to his journey enabling him to realise abilities he had previously underestimated.

‘The modules on the course have been intellectually stimulating and pushed me to achieve the best work that I am capable of, with each academic year building on the previous one.’

Despite deciding against pursuing a career in teaching, the spiral curriculum deepened Ian's understanding of education and sparked a curiosity to delve deeper into the subject of human learning. His dissertation on teacher recruitment and retention provided valuable insights into research methodology and he found himself particularly engrossed in this module viewing it as an opportunity for substantial personal investment over the course of an academic year.

During his three years of degree study, Ian has actively engaged in various university activities, such as featuring in the student magazine to advocate for the B.A., creating a promotional video for the university's social media platforms, serving as a Student Employment Champion and achieving the Bolton Award in record time.

These involvements have strengthened his bond with the university affirming his belief that the University of Bolton is the ideal environment for his future postgraduate endeavours.

‘These activities have deepened my connection with the university and left me feeling that the University of Bolton is the right place for me to continue with postgraduate studies.’

Throughout the year 2023, Ian encountered numerous personal challenges including bereavement and significant health issues which took a toll on his mental well-being leading him to question his ability to cope. Midway through the first semester of his third year, he reached a point where he felt pursuing his degree was futile. However, Dr. Clare Higgins, his course leader and dissertation supervisor intervened and persuaded him to persist as a student. Ian acknowledges that yielding to his initial impulse to drop out would have been a grave error as he is now poised to graduate with a first-class degree. He is super grateful for the supportive environment his mentors made sure to provide which really pushed him to keep on going.

Regarding postgraduation, Ian has secured a place at the University of Bolton to pursue a master's degree in education. Depending on the outcome of this endeavour, he is tentatively considering pursuing a Ph.D. thereafter. The completion of the B.A. has significantly impacted Ian's life fostering a newfound sense of self-confidence and belief in his abilities thereby preparing him for further academic pursuits and beyond.

The myriad experiences and skills acquired during his undergraduate studies have heightened Ian's appreciation for his capabilities, solidifying his belief in what he can achieve. He wholeheartedly recommends the Education and Learning B.A. (Hons) to prospective students, emphasising the transformative nature of the programme. Ian describes the university as an excellent learning environment praising the tutors for their exceptional friendliness, knowledge and approachability. He characterises his overall experience at Bolton as nothing short of phenomenal, acknowledging its ongoing positive influence on his life.

‘The university is a great place to study, and the tutors are all incredibly, friendly, knowledgeable, and approachable. Phenomenal is the only word that I can use to describe my experience studying at Bolton.’

With anticipation, Ian eagerly awaits the commencement of his master's degree in September 2024, eager to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead and discover where the future will take him whether its work related, or education related.

Comments from Course Leader, Dr Clare Higgins

I love the BA (Hons) Education and Learning degree at Bolton! The degree covers the importance of education for individuals and society. The degree includes studying how we learn and teach and how we can develop as contributors and participants in the wider society. We have exciting new modules in the degree which includes peer coaching and employability skills. The staff team are enthusiastic about the degree and are dedicated to the support of our students, which we are privileged to know changes lives. Ian is not an exception, rather an example of the partnership between the degree course and our students.