Three students from Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form, Harriet Sinclair, Humeira Akhtaq and Aneesa Mehmood, are heading out together to the University of Sheffield to study degrees in Medicine or Dentistry!

The College has an enviable reputation for excellence in the sciences and is a nationally recognised STEM Assured Centre. Each year the College sees a high number of students progress to degree programmes in the sciences at some of the UK’s top universities.

As part of its commitment to career focus, the College has also developed and perfected its unique Pre-Professional Programme for Medicine (Pre-Med). This exciting and challenging extra-curricular course, offered in addition to a student’s regular studies, provides extra support and guidance for those who want to apply to highly competitive degree programmes such as medicine, veterinary sciences and dentistry. Pre-Med students are able to visit a variety of local and national experiences and places of interest, and industry experts are often invited in to talk to the students about the precise nature and requirements of a career in medicine.

This year, students Harriet, Humeira and Aneesa will be using the skills and experience they have gained at the College as they embark on challenging degree programmes! The three friends, having taken a gap year, are all progressing to the University of Sheffield to study courses in Dentistry (Humeira) and Medicine (Aneesa and Harriet).

Throughout their gap year, the College continued to support the three students via UCAS advice and they were happy to return to the College to share their happiness and excitement on starting down their dream career route. The College is delighted to hear of the students’ success in securing their placement, and wishes them all the best for the future!

Harriet Sinclair, from Ss John Fisher and Thomas More RC High School, said, “The Science and Maths staff at Nelson and Colne college are incredible, and have been so supportive throughout my application to study Medicine. The Pre-Med programme offered by the College was invaluable to my application by advising me on writing my personal statement and helping me strengthen my interview skills to secure a place.

I’m so excited to start my medical career at the University of Sheffield. The university is outstanding and the course is perfect for me. I have Nelson and Colne College to thank for my success; I couldn’t have gained a place at medical school without achieving such good grades and having such great support!”