Three Nelson and Colne College students are celebrating gaining places in medical schools after achieving stellar grades in their A Level exams.
Fardin Ahmed, Safeena Minhas and Kieran Khaliq were all wearing healthy smiles on A Level results morning and continued Nelson and Colne College’s strong record of student progression into medical schools.
All three completed the college’s unique Pre-Professional Programme in Medicine, which enhances university applications for those students considering Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Dentistry career pathways.
Fardin, formerly of Sir John Thursby Community College in Burnley, showed true determination to gain his A*AA grades in Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics and will progress to Newcastle University to study Medicine and Surgery.
Fardin came to Nelson and Colne College asking to re-sit his GCSE English Language exam in order to support his future aspiration to become a surgeon, and 12 months ago jumped three grades to achieve a grade 8.
He said: “I chose to come to Nelson and Colne College as it was recommended to me by friends who had achieved top grades. I’m very happy with my results which are the result of two years’ worth of hard work.
“My teachers at NCC have been extremely supportive and always answer any questions I have. They are very specialised in their subject areas and do their best to ensure students achieve and get the grades they need.
“I’ve always loved Science and I’ve done lots of work experience at GP surgeries and in hospitals – including East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust. I think a career in Medicine is perfect for me as I also take great satisfaction in helping others.”
Safeena Minhas has the University of Manchester as her destination for Medicine after achieving A*AA in her A Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics.
Safeena, 18, from Nelson, is a former student of Pendle Vale College, and has her heart set on a career as a doctor.
She said: “I’m shocked at how well I did in my exams and I’m happy that the hard work has paid off. I see being a doctor as a really rewarding career and I have supported my learning with work shadowing at Airedale Hospital and volunteering in Pendleside Hospice charity shops.
“Nelson and Colne College is a great learning environment with supportive subject teachers and a wide variety of extracurricular activities outside of the classroom.”
Kieran Khaliq was celebrating success after achieving A*BB in his A Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, as well as an A* in his Extended Project Qualification. Kieran also impressed staff at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust during a work placement on the hospital wards to further augment his learning.
Kieran, 18, formally of University Academy Keighley, said: “My step-sister recommended NCC to me as she attended the college and I chose A Levels in Science because I had really enjoyed them at GCSE level.
“The support from my tutor has been excellent and the teaching I have received is amazing. The resources and facilities are also great here. I’m really pleased to be going to Hull York Medical School to study Medicine as my aspiration is to become a doctor.”
In 2019, Nelson and Colne College achieved a 99% pass rate and many students progressed on to Russell Group universities to take up highly competitive degrees in Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Computer Science, Law and Economics.
To follow in the footsteps of this year’s A Level stars, enrolment will be taking place at Nelson and Colne College on GCSE Results Day on Thursday 22 August, and on Friday 23 August.
Nelson and Colne College is the number one college in the country for 16-18 learner achievement, based on government data, and it is number one in Lancashire for A Levels, based on progress scores. It is also the number one college in Lancashire for student satisfaction, based on the government’s FE Choices survey.
If you would like to enrol at Nelson and Colne College, contact 01282 440272 or visit www.nelson.ac.uk
