If you're about to complete your Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Diploma (HND) then you’re already well on your way to achieving a degree at Abertay! Meet some students who did just that.
Ross left Scotland the day after his graduation ceremony for the United States, where he spent five months coaching youngsters in football.
His BSc in Sports Coaching and Development from Abertay will stand him in good stead, as will the growing popularity of the beautiful game in the land of baseball.
“Soccer, as they call it in America, is growing hugely in popularity, boosted by the national team’s success in the last World Cup,” he said just after the graduation ceremony. “I coached football in the States last year, and I’m really looking forward to doing so again this summer.”
Ross lists distance-running and tennis, as well as football, among his interests, and found the course at Abertay very much to his liking.
“It teaches a lot of practical coaching skills, and was excellent,” he said.
Ross found the route – studying for an HND at Telford College before going on to Abertay for the final two years of the degree course – an ideal way to achieve his ambition.
“The whole experience was very good, even moving away from home for the first time. Going to a local college and then on to Abertay for the full degree was fantastic,” he said.
BSc Sports (Hons) Coaching and Development
Samantha reached (and scored) her goal at Abertay...
After leaving school at the age of 15, Samantha enrolled at Dundee College to study an Introduction to NC in Sports Studies. From there she progressed through her NC, HNC and HND in Sports Coaching and Development.
Samantha said: “After achieving my HND at Dundee College I was keen to join Abertay and progress through to my BSc Honours. I'd heard about Abertay's good reputation for sport and sports research so it was a great choice for me. Abertay also allowed me to combine my studies with my main passion in life - football!”
After leaving college Samantha felt insecure academically, and wondered if she would cope with the work at University compared to college. She also wondered if she would fulfil her goal of achieving her Honours degree. However, with help, support and encouragement Samantha reached her goal with no problems at all.
Samantha is now working as an Events Co-Ordinator for the Scottish FA, and says: “I am very grateful to Abertay for helping me reach my goal, working in football. My everyday duties allow me to use all my knowledge and skills I studied at Abertay. Many people doubted I would ever go to University after leaving school so young. However, Dundee College and Abertay University just allowed me to take a different route in order to achieve my goals.
Samantha has advice for anyone who wants to make that leap from college to university: “The prospect of studying a couple of extra years might feel daunting at first but stick with it - it will set you aside from all the others!”
BA (Hons) Marketing & Business
Jason from Blairgowrie set his sights on Canada...
After Jason completed his HND in Advertising and PR at Perth College, he decided to travel around the east coast of Spain during the summer of 2006. When he returned in August (after ten weeks in the sun) he felt excited about continuing his education.
“I decided I wanted to do a course at University that involved both
marketing and business whilst living at home - so the Honours course
offered at Abertay was ideal, and I was able to gain my place on the
course through Clearing and directly enter into the third year.”
Abertay was a particularly attractive choice for Jason. It offered a
reasonable driving distance from his home in Blairgowrie, allowing him
to drive in and out every day. The course has also lived up to his
expectations, offering Jason all the help he's needed coming from
college to university.
“There have been some really interesting modules and a great range of resources to help with my studies such as a large library, online learning facilities, interactive tutorials with the opportunity for debates, a massive online journal database and a variety of helpful lecturers.”
“Studying at Abertay has allowed me to make some great friends and this has made the whole experience so much easier. Most days you'll find me and friends in the union as it's a good place to socialise and have a coffee and sometimes you might even see us there at night too!”
Now Jason plans to use the marketing aspect of his degree to take a marketing position, and has his sights set on moving abroad, with Canada as his top destination.
Sport Health and Exercise
Rodrigo now delivers lessons to students studying in his old department...
Rodrigo
originally studied Fitness Health and Exercise (HND) at Aberdeen
College and then applied for degree courses at Aberdeen, RGU and
Abertay Universities. Abertay was the only University that
could offer Rodrigo direct entry into third year, taking into account his earlier experience.l
During his first term of third year Rodrigo admits he felt it was tough going at times.
He says: "The difference between college and university is huge. The main difference is the level of work expected, and because of this I was directed to the Student Academic Support Team. They offer great services and will check your essays before you hand them in, to see if you have included the desired criteria for the assignment. The university lecturing staff and friends I made in class also helped me with anything I was unsure of and by the second term I really felt like I had been studying there since first year."
Rodrigo feels one of Abertay's strengths is the Sports Union, sports teams and social events involving the two. He played for the first football team and this helped him make friends, which was crucial as he'd moved to Dundee only knowing a few people. Rodrigo says: "There are various sports events throughout the year, that really make your time at University some of the best years of your life."
Rodrigo also says about Abertay: "I would thoroughly recommend the Sport Health and Exercise degree to anyone interested. One major benefit from studying this degree is the massive amount of topics it covers, and therefore the knowledge it gives you. It also opens your eyes to the important role that sport and physical activity can play on and individual and community perspective."
Shortly after completing his course at Abertay University Rodrigo was employed as an Instructor of Sport at Aberdeen College. His role surrounds delivering practical and theory lessons to students studying in the department that he once did. He has no doubt that without progressing to Abertay University from College he would not have got his current position.
