CELEBRATIONS were in order as a Solihull College and University Centre student received an offer from the University of Oxford.
Petra Sidhu has been offered a place on a degree in Chinese Studies at the prestigious university on completion of her Access to Higher Education Social Sciences course.
The 21-year-old said she is looking forward to getting started on her degree which involves a year living abroad, with the hope of ultimately working at the Foreign Office.
Access to Higher Education courses have no formal entry requirements and are designed to equip adult learners with the skills necessary to progress on to university level courses.
Petra said: “I finished my GCSEs and was then diagnosed with mental health issues which meant I couldn’t continue my studies. I then spent two years in recovery, working in retail, but I was desperate to get back into education. Then I found out about the Access course.
“The Access course is a great stepping stone – I found it really interesting and there are many aspects which relate to the course at Oxford.
“The teachers have been incredibly supportive and helpful, and I am confident I will get the grades required.”
Lecturer Kerri McGinn said: “We are extremely proud of Petra for receiving her offer from the University of Oxford.
“She is an exceptional student who always tries her best. Her grasp of complicated legal and sociological concepts is outstanding.”
