Going to university 'transformed my life'

A woman who dropped out of school aged 14 said gaining a university degree and a PhD in criminology had "transformed her life".

Dr Suzella Palmer, 53, moved to Luton from London after having children and enrolled at the University of Bedfordshire, off the back of taking a health and social care course.

The lecturer and grandmother said she thought she might not "fit in" but soon found she did, and studying meant she reached her "potential academically".

She has featured in a 100 Faces campaign, celebrating the positive impact that people who are the first in their families to go to university can have.

Ms Palmer, who teaches applied social studies, said: "University education has transformed my life by giving me the knowledge, skillset and confidence to recognise and achieve my potential academically."

She grew up in an inner city estate, lost both her parents when she was young, became involved in criminal activities and was in care until the age of 16, she said.

"Although I didn't think I would fit in at university and that university was outside of my comfort zone, being around people who shared an interest or passion in the same discipline and subject areas made me feel like I did fit in."

The campaign also features Megan Murphy, from Jersey, who graduated with a First Class degree in Radio and Audio in 2021. She is now a Good Morning Britain presenter for ITV Channel.

"Going to university really pushed me out of my comfort zone," she said.

"I went from a reasonably shy person to becoming outgoing and comfortable in unfamiliar situations."

Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK which represents 142 institutions, said: "I believe we have a responsibility to keep working to ensure a wider range of people in this country get access to the potentially transformative experience of going to university."

Universities UK said it wanted maintenance grants reinstated in England for "those who need them most" and correct maintenance loans to "reflect real rates of inflation and adjust the household income threshold, which has been frozen since 2008".

A Department for Education spokesperson said it helped people from all backgrounds.

"We are also increasing loans and grants for living and other costs, along with freezing tuition fees for the seventh year running, to reduce the initial amount of debt students will take on.

"We have increased the Student Premium for 2024-25 by £5m to top-up the help that universities are providing through their own bursary, scholarship and hardship support schemes."

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