University of Central Lancashire
Simon Jones is a former soldier who spent 26 years in the British Army but swapped the front line for the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).
The 46-year-old graduated with a First in BA (Hons) in Social Work in July 2017 and now works for Lancashire County Council’s Children’s Social Care team.
Simon’s education journey wasn’t entirely straightforward. He was rejected from 13 universities because, although he held a range of management qualifications, he had left school before sitting his exams.
UCLan offered Simon the opportunity to complete a foundation degree in science at Runshaw College and then progress to social work. He still needed to get his GCSEs, so in my first year he also attended night school alongside studying for his degree and being a dad.
