LAURA TAKES ALTERNATIVE DEGREE ROUTE

Tuesday 30 August 2005

A young student who’s won a place at Nottingham Trent University through achieving vocational, rather than academic qualifications, has thanked the trainers and employers who gave her vital support.

19 year old Laura Leatherland from Heanor in Derby has been accepted into Nottingham Trent University to study for a Law degree through distance learning. Rather than qualify through the traditional A level route, Laura achieved the vocational equivalent, an NVQ Level 3, whilst working at local solicitors Varley Hadley Siddall in Ilkeston, Derby.

Laura achieved an NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration as part of her Apprenticeship whilst working as a secretary in the company. She was delighted when her employers offered her the chance of studying for a degree by offering to pay for half of her tuition fees.

Laura feels that TBG Learning, the independent training provider, who guided her through her Apprenticeship, also helped her to secure the university place. Sales Manager, Tracy Martin, provided a reference to Nottingham Trent University, giving a breakdown of the Apprenticeship content and enabling the University to understand her abilities and suitability for the course.

The NVQ level 3/Advanced Apprenticeship is equivalent to an A-Level standard when the level of the vocational award is compared to academic qualifications.

Laura says “I’m really excited to start the course, and it’s thanks to the staff at TGB Learning Derby that it has all been possible. They encouraged me to apply for the course and through the confidence I gained as a result of the NVQ, I am looking forward to being a qualified solicitor”.

Laura will continue working at the solicitors whilst undertaking her course in her own time, with the option of attending the University for 4 weekends per academic year to meet with the tutors. To repay her employers, she will work at Varley Hadley Siddall Solicitors for 2 years after completion of the course.