Student life in Bangor

Busy Bethan celebrates graduation

Bethan Maitland Bethan Maitland from Bodorgan works as a Customer Services Officer at Bangor’s National Westminster Bank and recently graduated with a BA (hons) Literature and Creative Writing at Bangor University after studying part-time at Lifelong Learning.

Having left school at 16 with 10 GCSEs, a few years later she completed the “Access to Higher Education Course” at Coleg Menai in order to progress to a degree course in the future.

Bethan worked for Nat West Bank for 21 years, and at the age of 31 she decided that she needed to do something different and challenged herself to complete a degree. In 2006, Bethan and her husband set up their own company, where Bethan undertakes all the administrative and accountancy work, in addition to working part-time at the bank. Her husband, Paul, had been a mature student and passed a Surveying Degree, so Bethan thought she'd give it a go herself. She chose Lifelong Learning at Bangor University because it was an interesting degree that could be done around her work as she was working full-time.

Whilst enjoying the celebrations at graduation day Bethan said

“You couldn't wish for more support from the tutors and the staff. Even when things were tough, I was encouraged to keep going and complete the course. I cannot praise the staff and tutors enough. I have great respect for what they do and admire their dedication to the course and all of its students; I would like to thank them all. I’m going to have a well deserved break from my studies during the summer, before thinking about what other modules or courses I can complete; I can't give up on bettering myself now - I have to keep on learning!”

Lifelong Learning’s part-time degrees are flexible so that students can opt to study at a pace that suits their personal circumstances. Most students take 4½ - 5 years to complete their degree. These part-time degrees are structured to help people returning to education and many have gone on to follow prosperous careers or further study.

If you would like to develop interests in certain subject areas, looking for new skills or are thinking of a career change, contact Lifelong Learning for information about part-time degree programmes and financial help available on 01248 382708 or visit the website www.bangor.ac.uk/ll.