I honestly owe so much to everyone who helped me along my journey at NWRC

Meet our graduate Charlie Mullan.

He studied the Access Adult Learning Diploma at NWRC as a mature student, and progressed to a Higher Level Apprenticeship where he was employed by Kainos Software. Charlie says he has to pinch himself that he's now in this new career.

Charlie said: "Whether you’re an adult contemplating a return to education or someone who hasn’t yet considered it. I highly recommend giving it a shot, you quite literally have nothing to lose and so much to gain. In my opinion, it is never too late to go back into education. Why wonder what could have been, instead - make what will be a reality."


Name: Charlie Mullan

Age: 35

Where are you from?

Limavady

What course are you/did you studying?

I studied three courses at NWRC over three years, from 2020 to 2023.

GCSE in Mathematics, GCSE in English Language, and an Access Course in Combined Studies.

Previous Education before you came to NWRC?

I attended Limavady High School until I finished my GCSEs in 2005. I had little to no idea what I wanted to do with my life, so I ended up working in retail. Over the years, I made a few attempts to further my education, but unfortunately, the timing wasn’t right. Looking back, those experiences helped lay the foundation that allowed me to excel with the help of NWRC.

Why did you choose to study at NWRC?

NWRC appealed to me as a mature student looking to return to education because of its wide range of available courses. Additionally, NWRC provided me with the opportunity to study towards my GCSEs and A-Level equivalents part-time, allowing me to continue working.

Tell me about your course at NWRC.

The Access Course in Combined Studies is a Level 3 course (A-level equivalent) designed for adults. It is designed in such a way that it eases you into studying, this is particularly beneficial for anyone who has been out of education for a long time. This gradual ramp-up allows you to build amazing foundational knowledge and confidence.

The course is also designed and awarded by Ulster University, because of this the modules are set to the same high level of academic standards expected at Ulster University. For anyone wishing to attend University after the Access Course these high levels of academic standards will give you a solid foundation moving forward.

What is the best thing about NWRC?

The people and the support. The lecturers at NWRC are some of the nicest and most supportive people that I have ever met. Every lecturer, from the foundational level 2 modules to the higher level 3 modules, was able to bring out your best qualities, and they guided you in a way that organically grew your self-confidence.

I honestly owe so much to everyone who helped me along my journey at NWRC. If I were to give everyone a shout-out this would be 10 paragraphs long, but a particular shout-out to my course co-ordinator Martina!

What did you do afterwards?

After graduating from my Access Course in Combined Studies in May 2023, I was successful in obtaining a Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) with Kainos Software and Ulster University, through their Earn as You Learn programme.

Personally, HLAs were something that stood out to me as a mature student because you have the opportunity to work hands-on with real-life projects while learning the theoretical aspects at university. This ability to learn in parallel is invaluable.

Another key aspect of the Kainos Earn as You Learn programme that stood out to me was their Engineering Academy. This Academy is a 16-week program right at the beginning of your career that takes you through a comprehensive journey to upskill your technical and professional abilities.

Never mind the bonus of having no university fees and being paid to attend university.

Life has been very surreal since I started working with Kainos, most days I still have to pinch myself that this is my job now!

Would you recommend this course to other students?

Without a doubt.

Whether you’re an adult contemplating a return to education or someone who hasn’t yet considered it. I highly recommend giving it a shot, you quite literally have nothing to lose and so much to gain.

In my opinion, it is never too late to go back into education. Why wonder what could have been, instead make what will be a reality.