The college, which has offered a range of Access to HE, HNC and HND courses for a number of years, started offering full degree level courses, in Fashion, Photography and Graphic Design for the first time in its history in 2014, after forming a partnership with Birmingham City University (BCU). Business and Computing programmes were introduced 2015.

Joshua Duffill-Lacruz, Daniel Simkiss, Melissa McCallion, Ashley Coupland and Nathan Jackson completed their degrees in Computing with outstanding results, as they all received firsts.

Ashley Coupland said,

“I’m really pleased with my results. I’ve now got a full-time permanent position with RAC as a SQL Developer.”

On the College’s Level 6 Photography courses, first class degrees were handed out to Gemma Palmer and Debi Heath, both of whom are on their way to start their careers.

Gemma Palmer said:

“It’s been a lot of hard work but it’s all been worth it. I was never an excellent student at school and I struggled to learn.

“But as an adult, I found something I loved and wanted to learn more. So I came to Walsall College and enrolled onto the Level 6 BA Top-up degree course for photography. It was nervous and excited for what the future held.

With determination, hard work and the support of the incredible tutors, I thrived during my course. I now have a place at Birmingham City University to start a PGCE in post compulsory arts, media, design and performance. I hope to one day show my own students the same level of patience, support and dedication I was shown at Walsall College.”

For Photography Graduate Debi Heath, achieving a degree of any kind has been a lifelong dream of hers, since leaving school with no qualifications.

She said:

“Five years ago, I decided to follow my dream to pursue a career in photography. Through hard work, dedication and the enthusiasm and passion of my tutors, I have reached that goal. This could not have happened without the facilities, feedback and support on offer at Walsall College. My tutors have gone above and beyond to push me to think outside of the box, and step outside of my comfort zone.

As a result of my degree, I have won competitions, been awarded licensed membership at the BIPP and was invited to become a member of the Bromoil Circle of Great Britain.

I will be returning to Walsall College as Artist in Residence and next year, I will begin my Masters in photography at Birmingham City University.”

Boasting a HE success rate of 97% and a commendation from the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for Higher Education, the equivalent of Ofsted, Walsall College became one of the first colleges in the region to offer degree level courses, enabling students to achieve a full degree at a fraction of the cost of going to university.

With lower costs than university, high success rates, one-to-one support and more course options, there has never been a better time to enrol on a university level course at Walsall College and pursue a career.

Walsall College is offering careers advice and guidance on all the options available. For more information about enrolling on a higher education course at Walsall College, please call 01922 657000.