WHEN Emma Whitty was made redundant from her job in construction sales, she used it as an opportunity to take stock of her life.

"At the time, being made redundant seemed like the worst thing in the world, but in amongst the fear, I knew that it was a chance for me to make some real changes in my life.

I knew I didn’t want to go back into the same old job. I wanted a profession. More than that, I wanted to be a good role model to my two children."

It was at her sister’s graduation that Emma discovered that she could take a Foundation certificate at the University of South Wales and then apply for a degree.

"The hardest part was enrolling. Once I had made the decision to go to University, I knew I would see it through. I didn’t want to waste my chance, and financially, failing wasn’t an option. The money didn’t worry me. It’s an investment in a better future."

Coming back to University as a mature student was nowhere near as hard as Emma expected.

"I loved being a University student. Being around new and interesting people who had high aspirations made me strive higher."

Emma did the Foundation year and secured a place on the BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management. Alongside her degree, she spends one day a week at Kier Construction, a placement she secured herself to gain more experience and a foot in the door.

"The Foundation Certificate gave me a really good introduction. I enjoyed the variety of modules, and it also prepared me for the demands of the degree, like structuring essays, doing references and citations as well as time management. All this puts you at an advantage when you start the degree.

The lecturers were incredible, not just in their teaching but in their pastoral support. They believed in me from the start and made me feel like I was capable of achieving my goals.

Passing the Foundation Certificate was such a great feeling, but the best part was knowing that I deserved my place.

I would encourage more people to do it, especially women who may have postponed education because they had children and were waiting for the right time.

Like me, who only had GCSEs, you can go to University without the usual qualifications and what's more, you can flourish there.

Doing the Foundation opens up so many doors. I have my sights set on the Women in Construction Award, something I never would have thought possible a few years ago."

The University of South Wales offers Foundation Certificates in Social Science, Humanities and Science. Courses take one year to complete, and are taught at the Caerleon Campus in Newport. There are places available to start this September.

Come to the Foundation Open Event, 5-7pm, on Wednesday 13 May at our Caerleon Campus. Book your place today