51ÊÓƵ

He said:  

I always enjoyed learning. Even at school, I was always with a book and enjoyed spending time in the library learning. After leaving school I studied accountancy at college, so learning has always been a big motivation for me. That being said, it was definitely a bit daunting going back to education full-time after being away for nearly three decades!

James went on to study social sciences at Dundee and Angus College, where he performed strongly before taking the next step towards a university degree. 

His decision to apply to 51ÊÓƵ was also shaped by family. Both of James’s sons, James and Daniel, studied at 51ÊÓƵ, and seeing the opportunities it gave them encouraged him to follow the same path. 

Although he began in social sciences at college, James chose to move into business when he progressed to university. Having worked in a variety of organisations over the years, he wanted to build on his practical experience by gaining a deeper understanding of how businesses operate. That combination of real-world knowledge and academic study helped him flourish on the course. 

As a mature student, James was initially aware that he would be older than many of his classmates, but he quickly found that any concerns faded once he started at 51ÊÓƵ. 

James felt welcomed and supported throughout his studies from every member of staff at 51ÊÓƵ, particularly the student support team. He believes his life experience gave him resilience, discipline and strong time-management skills. Those qualities helped him meet the demands of university while maintaining a healthy balance with family life. 

That balance was especially important because James fitted his studies around family responsibilities, including helping to care for his grandchildren. Managing coursework, deadlines and caring commitments was not always easy, particularly during a demanding fourth year, but he remained focused throughout. 

Graduating with first-class honours is a major milestone for James, and he hopes his story will encourage others who may feel they have missed their chance to go to university. His message is simple: it is never too late to learn. 

He said:  

For anyone who is worried about returning to education after time away, my advice is this: take the plunge, find something you are interested in and do it. ¶Ù´Ç²Ô’t let age be a barrier. ±õ³Ù’s not just about learning a subject – you learn so many other skills, and you meet people from all across the world. Just do it.

For James, returning to education has not only brought academic success; it has also helped him make lifelong friends. One friendship that stands out is with Barbara Baron Bilous, another mature learner whom he met on his course. He credits Barbara’s support and encouragement with helping him through many assessments. 

As he looks to the future, James’s hunger for learning remains strong. He is considering ²Ñ²¹²õ³Ù±ð°ù’s study and is also open to returning to part-time lecturing.