Christopher

"I'm a mature student from Liverpool, and I’m the first person in my family to go to university. I had what you might call a disastrous school education. I never enjoyed going to school, and this was reflected in my grades. Going to university wasn’t just out of reach: the thought never even occurred given my economic background and poor education. After secondary school, I drifted from job to job in retail or customer services.

It was a huge decision financially and emotionally to apply to university, especially since I was already 26 years old at that time. However, I reckoned that I had to follow my academic dream. I completed the UCAS application and, against all odds, Goldsmiths offered me a place.

I applied for a scholarship and was awarded a financial bursary, without which I might have struggled to afford university. This extra money will enable me to focus on my studies instead of working too many hours in a job, and for that I am very grateful. This scholarship has taken a burden off my mind.

Studying in London is not easy, but it is worth it in the long run, with so many opportunities here and so many different cultures to engage with. This year has cemented to me that I made the right choice in coming to Goldsmiths."