Students come to us from all kinds of backgrounds. But from the moment they arrive, one essential element is always in the foreground – the idea of broadening access to knowledge and opportunity.
From enjoying real-world experiences across fields as diverse as broadcasting, engineering and politics, to attending a global conference for future leaders and contributing to life-changing technologies, our students achieve amazing things. But what connects them all, is the idea that from here, you can go anywhere and do anything.
As we celebrate the past 90 years of excellence at our Ormskirk Campus we’re revisiting past stories and achievements. This is Rohan’s story.
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He’s a good sport!
They say sport is the world’s universal language, and Rohan Williams’ experience at Edge Hill certainly supports that.
The BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Psychology student was chosen to do a four-week internship in Ghana through the volunteer coaching organisation Sporting Opportunities. He worked at the national academy alongside sports psychologists, preparing young players for the African Cup of Nations.
Sport has also been at the heart of campus life for Rohan, playing on the football team, running sessions and refereeing matches, and encouraging other students to get involved in sports.
“I could never imagine going to another university because my experience here has been incredible. And I’ve got international footballers as friends on Facebook now. I never expected that when I started my course.”
Encouraging more young people’s medicine aspirations
“It’s the only job I could see myself doing, but kids from my school in Oldham don’t usually become doctors.” Now, Bilal Razaq is fulfilling his dream through Edge Hill’s Medicine with Foundation Year degree.
Especially for people in deprived areas of the North West, our course gives people who wouldn’t normally consider applying for medicine the chance to do it.
Bilal is spreading the word, becoming Co-President of the Widening Access to Medicine Society, running workshops in primary schools during Science Week and speaking to Sixth Form College students to encourage them to consider medicine.
Impressing on placement leads to dream job
Marketing with digital communications student Anna Bolger landed her dream job even before graduating.
Anna started working part-time for Warrington-based agency Morgan Branding after impressing them during a three-month placement. She accepted the offer of a full-time position once she graduated, and now leads the agency’s TikTok offer and delivers coaching on social media strategy to an impressive client list.
As well as a coveted role, Anna also earned an Edge Hill On-Course Excellence Scholarship, reflecting her personal development and role in the agency’s growth.
Proactive politics student on the road to high-flying diplomacy career
A high-flying career in international diplomacy beckons for law with politics student Thomas de Freitas, who was selected as one of 100 students to attend the global Young Diplomats Forum in London.
Thanks to our Student Opportunity Fund, which offers students financial support for career-enhancing activities, Thomas experienced degree-relevant workshops in policy development and treaties. He also got to network with influential individuals, from MPs to world-leading experts on global affairs.
Thomas has always taken every opportunity to make his CV stand out, including interning for a local MP and working as a political researcher during his summer break.
A shining star behind the scenes
Television production management student Elizabeth Perkins gained a money-can’t-buy experience at Hat Trick Productions – a chance she may have struggled to take up without our Student Opportunity Fund.
Her successful application covered her travel costs to London and her accommodation, leaving her free to immerse herself in the experience – working as a runner on Have I Got News For You and transcribing celebrity interviews.
Elizabeth also gained experience closer to home working backstage at The Curve Fashion Festival. And the support she received on-course and in the field helped her get her first paid job as a production office runner for Liverpool-based LA Productions on Channel 5Star show Clink.
Taking the positives from care experience
Mental health nursing student Jade Ainsworth has been awarded an Edge Hill Excellence Scholarship for her determination and commitment to helping others – inspired by her own challenges.
Finding herself in care at 16, she never gave up her ambition to become a nurse, finally getting the confidence to apply to university.
Jade volunteers to give people a voice – something she didn’t feel she had in care. She became the patients’ voice as part of Healthwatch Cumbria and an advocate for young people working with the Cumbria Police and Crime Commissioner.
Jade also received a Love Barrow Award for helping improve mental health provision for school children in South Cumbria.
Unemployed mum turns her life around with top degree
Single mum Michelle Clegg has proven it’s never too late to follow your dreams after turning her life around to graduate with first class honours in sociology.
The 39-year-old, who had never been employed or had a job interview, now works with Lancashire charity Blackburn Community CVS, using her experience to support people into education, training and employment.
Michelle credits her son Sonny for fuelling her motivation to build a career. And she is grateful to Edge Hill for supporting her with her dyslexia, ensuring she could focus on her work and get the best results possible.
Fostering a life-long love of learning in education
Primary education with QTS graduate Ben Broadhurst is planning to complete a Masters degree in research, crediting Edge Hill with fostering his lifelong love of learning.
Our outstanding reputation for teacher training and beautiful campus attracted Ben to study here. He still considers the lakeside Faculty of Education building his “home-from-home.”
During his studies, Ben has presented at the British Education Research Association’s annual conference and written a journal on mental health for them. He’s also been elected Faculty of Education Engagement Officer within the Students’ Union, keen to champion LGBTQ+ students. He now works at the University in the Knowledge Exchange office.
Technology as a force for good
Intelligent automation and robotics student Isha Bhukya has had the chance to build a robotic arm from scratch and a Formula One-like car on computer-aided design (CAD) software.
Isha has ambitions to “contribute to new life-changing and challenging technologies” in a world increasingly filled with robotics, automation and AI. Her degree builds on her interest in understanding how different structures work and how the functions of components interact.
After meeting her teachers, finding her friends and enjoying Edge Hill’s societies, events and sports, Isha says there’s no place she’d rather be.