A student at Newport's University has scooped the BTEC Edexcel Higher National Student Prize for 2003.

Clare Lewis, was presented with a certificate and cheque for £100 as a result of the high standard of results that she achieved during her studies.

Commenting on her achievements, Clare, 42 from Newport said, "My advice to anyone would be to do what I did - go back to education - I wish I'd done it years ago!"

Clare is typical of many mature students at Newport's University, having returned to learning after leaving school with few formal qualifications. "I bought a computer as a Christmas present for my daughter and didn't know anything about them, I couldn't even plug it in!" she said.

"I decided I needed to learn something about them and did a basic computer course. I enjoyed the classes so much that I attended a taster day at the university and decided to sign up for the HNC Business Information Technology course."

Clare successfully completed the HNC course in 2003, and is now embarking on a degree in Business Information Technology. She added, "Juggling the degree programme, my job and my family isn't always easy, but I persevere because I really want a degree."

During the course of her studies Clare has flourished. "It's drastically changed my life," she said. "I thought I was totally unemployable and felt very demoralised. Coming to Newport's university has really boosted my self confidence!"

"Clare's success has been tremendous," commented Alan Hayes, Dean of the School of Computing and Engineering. "We have all watched with interest just how much she's developed during her studies with us and how she continues to develop during the course of her current studies.

"At Newport, our mission is to widen access and bring learning to the heart of the community - and it is very gratifying that we are able to achieve this by providing support to Clare and many people like her each year."