Meet Elle, a former MC6 student who studied A Levels in Applied Business, Sociology and Criminology!
Elle originally chose to study at MC6 because it offered a fantastic opportunity to study Criminology – a subject which, at the time, was only offered by MC6. Reflecting on her decision, Elle said:
“Something that drew me to Middlesbrough College Sixth Form was the course offering. At the time, A Level Criminology wasn’t offered in many other colleges, which made it easy for me to decide where I wanted to study. I also really liked how close the town centre was, meaning I could go shopping and there were always things to do.
“I enjoyed all my time at MC6, meeting new people and making friends for life. I also loved the free time college gave me, which helped with studying and preparing for exams. I really took it for granted at the time!”
Elle believes A Levels set the foundation for her future success. She said:
“I wholly recommend A Levels as a study option – they are something that can’t be taken away from you. You will always have them, and they can help you to progress to so many other things in your career.
“College really taught me skills for life, especially time management and completing assignments and projects. However, the best thing to come out of my time at MC6 was securing my degree apprenticeship.”
A standout moment of Elle’s MC6 journey was her recognition at Middlesbrough College Group’s Annual Student Awards Ceremony, a night dedicated to celebrating outstanding achievement, resilience and community spirit.
Elle was nominated for and won the Applied Business Student of the Year Award, an achievement reserved for high-flying students who demonstrate exceptional commitment, consistently strong performance, and a positive impact on their peers and the wider college community.”
Elle said: “Being selected as the Applied Business Student of the Year at the Annual Awards Ceremony in 2023 was definitely one of my most memorable times. All my family came and celebrated with me, it was great.”
When asked about the teachers at MC6 and support she’s received, Elle said:
“I couldn’t have asked for more support. It’s very easy to forget the resources you have available, you just have to be proactive and make sure you ask for help when you need it.
“In particular, I can’t praise Michael, one of my teachers at MC6, enough. He was there for me when I was applying for apprenticeships and took time to help research the company to support me with my application.
“When I was interviewed, the interviewers recognised the research and organisation that had gone into my application and I complimented me on my perspective, something which I developed due to the guidance from my tutors.
“I had great experiences with a lot of my teachers. I really enjoyed hearing about their careers, and they were always really open and honest. They gave me a lot of advice for my future that I really appreciated.”
Elle is now studying a degree apprenticeship in retail management for Dunelm. As part of this, Elle works among directors of the company, supporting store visits and ensuring that stores are meeting their KPI targets.
“I am meeting all the store managers from across the UK, seeing parts of the country that I’ve never seen before. I really get to push myself outside of my comfort zone!
“It’s nice to still experience student life, I have a lot of friends who also do degree apprenticeships, so I still have that university life and work life balance. Being paid while studying is also a big help as it’s nice not to have to worry about student debt. I go to university in the lovely city of Manchester with all my expenses covered by the job and feel this method of studying offers the best of both worlds.
“I feel so grateful – not many people get a place on one of these apprenticeships. It’s been amazing to get this opportunity through the support I had at college.”
Finally, we asked Elle what advice she would give to current or prospective students, particularly those who are considering studying A Level at MC6.
“Be very proactive. A Levels are difficult but rewarding. Make sure to take advantage of free time periods. Use this time to prepare for your future – that’s how I found my current role. Make sure you explore all options, as there are so many out there now!”
“Also, don’t worry about feeling like you aren’t experienced enough. There are jobs that you can learn as you go, and companies want you to be trained up and gain experience while working there!”
Are you finishing school and aiming high for your future? No matter what career you want, if you’re interested in A Levels, MC6 is a perfect place to start.
Whether you’re dreaming of university, a top apprenticeship or a successful hands-on career, our dedicated Sixth Form offers a wide range of A Levels, expert teaching and all the support you need!
Did you study at Middlesbrough College? Become an alumni and share you story!
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