THREE students from across Somerset are celebrating after achieving First Class Honours in their university degrees.

Sophie Bowen, Emily Callard-Weller and Yolanda Kaye have all just completed their studies with the University of Worcester.

Sophie, from Taunton, studied for a Primary Initial Teacher Education degree at the university and has returned to Taunton where she has secured a teacher position at a local school.

“I am delighted and overwhelmed to achieve my First Class Honours degree,” said the 22-year-old.

“After a very tough three years due to personal family issues, it was a very proud moment to receive this award.

"It definitely would not have been possible without the help, support, encouragement and love from my family, friends, tutors at the University and mentors on my school placements.”

The former Richard Huish College and Bishop Fox's School pupil said she will be starting at the school in September with her own Year 1 class

“During my time at University I was very lucky to have supportive tutors and excellent school placements with class mentors that helped me grow as a teacher and guide me to become even better,” Sophie said.

“Their help and advice along the way meant that, with a lot of hard work and passion, I was able to achieve 'outstanding' teaching practice on my final placement.”

Emily Callard-Weller, from Milborne Port, earned her First Class BSc (Hons) degree in Geography and Mathematics and has secured a graduate transport planning position in Birmingham which she starts this month.

“I feel incredibly proud to have achieved a First Class Honours degree, it really does make all the hard work worth it,” said the 21-year-old, former Gryphon Sixth Form pupil.

“I’m very grateful for all of the support I have received through the entirety of my degree.”

Yolanda Kaye earned her First Class BSc (Hons) degree in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, through The Learning Institute, which has a partnership with the University of Worcester.

“After working full time alongside studying full time, I’m just really proud to have got to the finish line in one piece,” said the 34-year-old, from Frome.

“It was seriously testing, so to have got a First, was a totally amazing achievement.”

“I would like to specialise in the more therapeutic side of mental health and possibly fast track into becoming a counsellor.

“I am currently exploring the idea of taking my skills abroad to work in disadvantaged areas where mental health support is less accessible to young people.

“Being a mature student, I had to be able to still earn money whilst studying.

“The University of Worcester and The Learning Institute offered me the opportunity to do this through a condensed method of distance studying, whereby I was still able to complete a full-time degree course and not have to be at Worcester every day.

"This meant that the week’s-worth of Worcester lectures were condensed into one long day each week with Learning Institute tutors that travelled to our cohort at Radstock; making it possible for me to continue studying the course that I wanted whilst earning the money I needed to live.”

The University of Worcester has places available for well-qualified applicants through Clearing this year.

There are a limited number of places available to start in September 2018 for well-qualified applicants.

For more information visit www.worcester.ac.uk or call 01905 855111.