“I’m most proud of sticking with it. It was definitely a challenge and taught me a lot about determination.”
Originally from Durham in North East England, Sam’s journey to graduation has been more than two decades in the making. Having first started a Master’s in 2001, life as a single parent working full-time meant her studies had to be put aside. But the dream of completing her degree never faded.
Ulster University’s part-time MSc in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provided the perfect opportunity to return to education.
“It’s been a longstanding wish to complete my studies. Ulster’s combination of a three-year MSc course and flexible distance learning was the main draw,” Sam explained.
Working across the UK as a field archaeologist, Sam was also drawn to the programme because of its direct relevance to her profession and potential for learning valuable new technical skills to advance her career. Studying while travelling all over the country for work was a major commitment, with Sam often rising at 5am to study before heading to work. However, the flexibility of distance, part-time leaning made balancing work and study easier.
“The teaching was great, and with so much support and help it didn’t feel like distance learning at all. I travel all over the UK for work, and it couldn’t have been easier to log in and study in hotels, Airbnbs and occasionally even from home!
“I could jump into discussions with e-tutors at any time, ask questions, complete coursework and participate in conversations with fellow students.”
She also credits the course with not only improving her career prospects but also supporting her cognitive health.
“Being menopausal, cognitive decline and ‘brain fog’ is always a worry. Even though it could sometimes be frustrating I really think the challenge of learning new skills and grappling with scientific methods 40 years after leaving secondary school is one of the best things I could do for my cognitive functioning.”
Her journey was not without personal challenges. During her studies, Sam’s father became seriously ill. With a prognosis of 6–12 months, she considered suspending her studies. Sadly, she lost her dad during this time, but with the support of Ulster staff, she chose to continue.
“The university was very flexible with deadlines that worked around my career in field archaeology. When my dad became ill and died, they couldn’t have been more understanding and helpful.”
Sam went on to complete her MSc in GIS with Commendation, securing an overall mark of 65%. At 58, Sam is continuing her career in field archaeology, but the skills she has gained now open the door to desk-based roles in the future.
Sam hopes her story will inspire others, especially those returning to education later in life.
“It’s a privilege to take time to decide where your passions lie and what the future might hold. This is especially true when you’re older, after bringing up children. I’ve had a really valuable educational experience at Ulster, and I’m happy to share my story and maybe influence other middle-aged people to consider postgraduate education.”
Her graduation will be marked quietly, but with pride in a journey that proves determination and the right support can make long-held dreams a reality.
