Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College

"BHASVIC was a very stressful experience as there is a lot of academic pressure during A-levels. However, it was also one of the best colleges to go to as you get the freedom that most other students don’t have until they go to university. It definitely helps students grow up earlier and have a better social life where they can branch out from school."

I came from Chailey Secondary School and studied at BHASVIC from 2016 to 2018. I studied Biology, Chemistry and English Literature + Gold CREST Award. I went to The University of Sheffield to study a BSc in Biochemistry and Microbiology (amazing university). I’m now doing an MSc in Control of infectious disease at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). I’m working towards a career in public health with a focus on pandemic preparedness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and emerging viral diseases. I’m also interested in the impact of the climate crisis on migration and the health outcomes.

"My time at BHASVIC was a wonderful experience and it set me up for the rest of my career ahead. Transitioning from secondary education to college was a step up but one that I was ready for. BHASVIC enabled me to prepare for the independent study that was to come next when continuing my journey to university. Everyone was incredibly supportive - both staff and students - I certainly have no regrets and am always proud to say that I studied at the college."

I came from Blatchington Mill School and studied at BHASVIC from 2018 to 2020. I studied Law alongside English Literature and Language and Media Studies. I am currently undertaking my Law Degree at Greenwich University to pursue a career in the law. I have continued to pursue my passion to becoming a barrister and haven’t looked back since. I am also now a founder of a charity called Beyond, The Care Leavers Trust and work closely with Brighton and Hove City Council to both better the lives of current children in care as well as those transitioning into independent living. As a former looked after child I understand the importance of having experts by experience helping to shape the system to which we were once part of. In order to make change, conversations have to be had and I am a firm believer in using my voice to make change.

"My time at BHASVIC was brilliant and challenging. I remember all the teachers being really caring and would put in a lot of time towards each student. I found myself doing really well in the BTEC subjects because I always knew the best way I learnt was to apply my knowledge and learn through mistakes, whereas Psychology I found hard because it was a classic structure of learn, remember, exams."

I came from Hove Park and studied at BHASVIC from 2018 to 2020. I studied Psychology A Level, Computing BTEC and Law BTEC. As I said previously I knew that I learnt from making mistakes and applying my knowledge to the real world and that’s what the apprenticeship scheme offers. BHASVIC really set me up for this and built my confidence massively. One way they did that was encouraging us to do 1 week’s work experience at a company which is in the industry we wanted to join. Currently I am in year 2 (year 3 in Sept 2022) of the apprenticeship scheme. In my role currently, I am a Test Lead on one of the biggest programmes in the Bank (ISO20022). My role involves me managing and leading 4 engineers, making strategic decisions, planning and looking into new technologies we need as a department. The degree apprenticeship is in my opinion the best option for many people. It is usually 4 years long but gives you 4 years’ worth of experience in the industry you want to be in, you are getting paid, your degree is getting paid for by the company and you get employee benefits such as paid holiday, pensions etc. In my first year at the Bank I also got into the final for the BCS Apprentice of the year awards where I got to go to an awards dinner in London with 1,000 other people from Tech across different companies and celebrate my success. BHASVIC has definitely built me a foundation for my success. I learnt a lot there and don’t think I would be living my dreams and succeeding if it wasn't for graduating in 2020.