Students past and present who attend Forth Valley College, regularly go on record to say how much the College helped to change their lives for the better.
But don’t just take our word for it, read what former students have to say for themselves to give you some inspiration.
Fern Ford from Alloa won the Student of the Year and Most Inspirational Student in the Department of Care, Sport, Business & Communities at the 2023 graduation ceremony.
Graduating with a HNC Working with Communities, Fern says she chose to apply to study at Forth Valley College, to give herself a better life experience and academic freedom that she didn’t have a school.
She said: “I would recommend the course and the College because it’s a fun and engaging experience and it has helped me gain confidence with public speaking and improved my social anxiety issues. I feel this is all down to the opportunities of meeting new people and getting placement experience. Overall, college was an enjoyable experience for me instead of school.”
Daniel MacPherson from Falkirk completed his HND Mechanical Engineering at Forth Valley College and seamlessly continued onto university to finish a Masters degree. The Heriot-Watt University partnership degree route has benefitted Daniel immensely and he would thoroughly recommend this pathway to others.
He said: “I found the partnership route to be an attractive solution for advancing my further education within the mechanical engineering field of study. The thing that stood out to myself was the capability it offers to seamlessly continue you on to further education on a higher level, allowing for opportunities to those who did not over achieve in high school to make it into university.”
Alyssa Jones from Clackmannan, who graduated with a HNC Childhood Practice, says her time at FVC has given her the confidence to think about going on to further studies to enhance her career options and also shown her that College is not just for school leavers but for mature students too.
She said: “The College has given me the confidence to go onto further studies as I get older to enhance my career options. It has shown me that college is not just for young adults coming out of school, it is there to support us all at different stages of our lives.”
Former Braes High School pupil Matthew Guest (17) completed a Foundation Apprenticeship in Hardware and System Support, through Forth Valley College.
He said: “The facilities were great and the lecturers were really nice and you could ask them questions without feeling nervous.
“My experience of studying an FA at the College has benefited me as I have now managed to get a job as a first line engineer as I got recommended by people within my apprenticeship. I would recommend the FA to anyone as you get first-hand experience with the job you will be interested in, you can also build relationships with people in the real world of work.”
Niamh McFarlane, from Denny, graduated with a BA Art & Design and now progresses to complete her Honours at the University of Stirling. She has also gaining a growing reputation for her work with the Smith Art Gallery and Museum in Stirling, snapping up one of her paintings and other works being chosen to be shown at various prestigious exhibitions.
She said: “I would absolutely recommend the College to anyone. I was swithering about applying for my HNC at the time, but I have never looked back. I feel I have found my purpose.
“College is that step before University, which I wasn’t ready for at all. But going to the College gave me the support, drive and inspiration to work hard, and prepare me for my next steps… I honestly don’t think I would be doing art - which is what I live and breathe now - if I had never gone to Forth Valley College.”
Courtney Gordon from Falkirk worked her way up through an Access to Applied Science Level 5 and 6 course, and then onto the HNC and graduated in 2022 with a HND Chemical Process Technology qualification.
She said: “The College is ideal for the kids who have just left school and have no clue what the big bad world is all about. It is also ideal for others who’ve maybe worked since they’ve left school and want to return to education, or single mums like myself especially… if they’ve gone through some not so nice things, or even for people who have just never really found their ‘calling’ - Forth Valley College could well be the best place for them. The support is there and easily accessible to get you where you need to be, the people I’ve been involved with genuinely care about their students.”
Sam Goodwillie (27) from Raploch, Stirling won Most Inspirational Student in the Department of Creative, Digital & Leisure Industries award at Forth Valley College’s 2023 graduation event.
Sam, who also graduated with a BA Art and Design revealed he originally chose to apply to FVC as he was sick of being in dead end jobs where he knew I wasn’t valued, especially as he had a family to provide for.
He said: “What I loved the most about College was having lecturers who actually lived the career path you were choosing, you got to learn some amazing things from seasoned professional that will help your business. I met some amazing people at the College who helped me along the way and I will never forget them for the rest of my life for what they have done for me the last few years. Every lecturer went above and beyond for me and never ever gave up on me when times got tough, and for that I am forever thankful. I wouldn’t be where I am now without the College.”
Dr Lynne Brierley a former HND Business Studies student from Tillicoultry, has praised Forth Valley College for setting her on a path to completing her PhD. She said: “The thing I loved most about studying at Forth Valley College and in the College sector was the support and encouragement I received.”
To read even more inspirational student case studies visit https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/case-studies/