NWRC science graduate urges learners to go to online results day

Suzanne Ramage, who was a bronze medallist Lab Technician at WorldSkills UK LIVE, has just completed her Foundation Degree in Medical and Applied Science at NWRC, and will now progress directly into Year 2 of her university course at UU.

This year NWRC will be hosting Results Days ONLINE at www.nwrc.ac.uk/results when students can either apply for a course, or upload their results to confirm their place for a course they’ve previously applied for. On the website students will be given step by step instructions on how to upload their results, and can watch a video walking them through every step of the process.

Suzanne, from Ballymoney, returned to education at NWRC, a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) assured college, in 2018, after being inspired by her son Bronson, who was about to start post-primary school.

“I had decided to go down the Accountancy route after I left school,” she said. “When my son Bronson got his transfer test results, I told him it didn’t matter what school he went to as long as he was doing something that he enjoyed and he liked it.

“That started me thinking about the fact that I’d always enjoyed Science – but for the past 15 years, I’d been in Accountancy based jobs. I decided if I was going to do something about it, it was now or never.

“I came to NWRC and met Diane Smyth from Science and enrolled on the course. It was a massive decision for me. I had to give up my full-time job to come and study full time, but at the same time, I knew it was the right thing. I believe my time has come to do it

“It was scary coming back into the classroom again, but all the class and the tutors were amazing and I felt really at home. There were a few students on the course who were the same age as me so I never felt like the older one.

“I had already done Chemistry and Biology A-Levels and I was surprised by how much of it came back to me – even after 20 years, yes there were gaps to fill but I was surprised that I coped so well.”

Suzanne is one of hundreds of students who choose NWRC as their post-16 and post 18 Education option.

The college offers a huge range of courses open to students aged 16 and over, from Level 1 to Level 6, in Further and Higher Education.

Students who have attained 4/5 or more GCSEs can enrol on a Level 3 Further Education course (the equivalent of three A-Levels) at NWRC in a range of subject areas which include Art and Design, Business, Care and Health, I.T., Hospitality and Catering, Media, Science, Sport, Music, Performing Arts. Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy, Early Years, Construction and the Built Environment, Engineering, Administration and Travel and Tourism.

One year courses at Level 1 and 2, cater for students who want to increase their current GCSE profile and perhaps haven’t successfully achieved as many GCSEs as they would have liked, and can help them get back on track. Successful completion of a Level 2 course allows students to progress to a Level 3 course (the equivalent of three A Levels) and on to Higher Education, University or Employment.

In addition, the apprenticeship route is becoming more attractive for young people. As an apprentice, young people gain nationally recognised qualifications whilst earning a wage, combining practical ‘hands-on’ experience with academic knowledge. Apprentices typically work four days a week and are released by their employer one day a week to attend College.

For students who have already completed their A-Levels, Leaving Cert, or Level 3 course, NWRC offers a huge range of Higher Education courses including Foundation Degrees, Higher National Certificates, Higher National Diplomas and Higher Level Apprenticeships.

This year the college will be hosting Results Days ONLINE. You can logon to www.nwrc.ac.uk/results for post A-level Results on August 13 and 14 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and post GCSE Results on August 20, 21 and 24 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.