Studying at University Centre Somerset means learning the skills employers want, building connections with your industry, and gaining experience in the workplace. Past graduates have gone on to secure positions in high-profile organisations including Williams Formula One, EDF Energy and Dreamworks.
See where some of our alumnis have ended up!
Since graduating from UCS, Joel has pursued his passion and has gone on to become Head of Trackside Systems for McLauren Formula One Team.
'Studying Motorsport gave me the practical experience and personalised teaching that set the foundation for my career. Now, as Head of Trackside Systems for McLaren F1, I travel the world, lead critical race operations, and apply the skills I gained to thrive in the high-pressure world of Formula One.'
Rachel chose to study at UCS as it allowed for her to follow her passion, but still remain close to her work and two children.
'Honestly I loved it all, every module, every task and challenge.'
After graduating with a First, Rachel now works at The Silicone Centre, as a technician, creating hyper-realistic, high difinition silicone covers for amputees world-wide.
'It was at UCS where I really found my calling with prosthetics and hyper realism. The course encouraged me to persue this area and advance my skills which ultimately led me to where i am now. I finally get to use my creative skills for the greater good, working with an amazing company, The Silicone Centre, which has helping people at its core.'
Ash studied his HNC with UCS in 2019 to further his knowledge and understanding of mechanical engineering and analytic methods.
Ash now works as an SME Engagement Manager for National Composites Centre, working on innovative products from automotive, aerospace, marine, defence, oil and gas, and renewables.
‘I got into engineering quite late, I didn’t do it straight out of school, but it’s never too late to go back and relearn or retrain for something else – UCS allowed me to do that.’
Mark studied his Level 2, 3, and 4 counselling qualifications with us. After discovering that he wanted to work in the mental health sector, but didn’t know how.
During his time at UCS, Mark secured a placement position with In Charley’s Memory, a local mental health charity for young people. Once qualified, Mark was offered a full-time position with the company as a Counsellor.
Mark now balances his work between being a Counsellor for ICM and a Private Practitioner for another excellent charity, Mind.
‘My tutors were great. I couldn’t have asked for anyone more experienced in the profession, and the 1-2-1 support they offered for a particularly difficult environment to work in, I found that invaluable.’
In 2019, Emily graduated from UCS. Emily believed that her passion was all things prosthetics, she wanted to work on creating wounds that you see on TV. However, when she got to the wig making brief, she knew it was her calling.
Emily is now a self-employed Wig Maker for The Little Princess Trust, a wonderful charity that creates wigs for young people suffering from cancer. This wonderful, and inspiring career is Emily’s ‘dream job’, working towards helping people and making a difference in their lives.
‘University Centre Somerset is the reason I get to work my dream job every single day, its taught me the right steps and given me the motivation to push my own career and become my own wig maker.’
Martyn always wanted to be a nurse, but after discovering our Nursing Associate qualification, he felt this was far better suited to him.
‘I found my career thanks to University Centre Somerset, going there allowed me to experience all the different elements of the healthcare industry. I had so many opportunities and my journey has been fantastic!’
Martyn is so passionate about sharing his experiences as a Nursing Associate, and promoting this up-and-coming career, that he created his own podcast channel ‘Just a Sharp Scratch’ where he invites industry professionals to join him and talk through their work for like-minded listeners.
Sarah returned to education later on in her life, after working in a career in finance for 15 years.
Now having gained her Education qualification whilst teaching alongside, and is now a qualified A Level Lecturer at Bridgwater & Taunton College teaching History and Business.
‘This has been my dream come true, to have this opportunity and be so supported by University Centre Somerset. It can be daunting changing careers later on, but I’m so pleased that I did. It’s such a rewarding job and something I really love.’
Adam followed his journey with us from his Level 3 course at Bridgwater & Taunton College, to studying his degree with UCS, and is now the Deputy-Head of Land-based apprenticeships at BTC, coming full circle and having the opportunity to give back some of the knowledge and experiences he has gained along the way.
‘My degree with University Centre Somerset was a really important stepping stop to whatever I might have moved on to. There was a lot of potential routes I could have gone, based off my degree, because of all that is available in this region.’
Becky graduated from UCS in 2019 after falling in love with studying again.
‘As an adult returning to learning, I was suddenly studying a subject that I absolutely loved. I threw myself into it, and the support I had at UCS made it an amazing experience.’
Becky is now an Assistant Reserves Manager for Somerset Wildlife Trust, based at the beautiful Avalon Marshes.
Thomas, after graduating, joined EDF at Hinkley Point C. He began his career on the Reactor Operator training scheme and, once he has completed it, will be an operator.
"The course content aligned perfectly to the knowledge and skills I needed to become an engineer in the nuclear industry. The NCfN hub has excellent facilities where students can use the theory that they learn to solve practical problems."
In 2015, Elouise graduated from University Centre Somerset. After networking and demonstrating her talents in Media Make-up at trade shows, she landed her first big job working in the creature FX department of Star Wars.
She has since worked on over 10 other prime productions and designed make-up for an award-winning short film as a freelance artist. Elouise now lectures at Exeter College, inspiring the next generation.
James, a notable UCS alumnus, has had a successful career in Motorsport. He has worked at leading organisations - Strakka Racing, as a mechanic, and Williams Racing, as a Wind Tunnel Technician, playing a critical role in aerodynamic component design and development.
Today, James continues his work as a technician with Helix Motor Vehicle Manufacturing, helping to deliver sustainable products to market.
Graduating from his Level 5 teaching qualification, Geoff felt equipped with the tools he needed to become a more rounded teacher and facilitator to young learners. Now, he is a Course Leader at Bridgwater & Taunton College.
Geoff says: “Throughout the course I received excellent support and guidance from my tutor which undoubtedly led to my successful completion of the Level 5 qualification.”
After graduating UCS with a degree in Media Make-up, Katie secured employment at the Glyndebourne Opera House in East Sussex.
Since then, she went on to work for the English National Opera as a Wig and Make-up Technician, putting the skills she learnt at UCS into practice.
Following his Motorsport degree at UCS, Darren completed a masters with OBU and became a Chassis Development Engineer for Bentley Motors Ltd. and has been working as an Automotive Engineer since 2012.
He specialises in tyre noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) development and high performance automotive brake development. He has now progressed to become a Technical Project manager, focussing on Battery Electric Vehicles.