Health, Sport and Bioscience Graduate Profiles
Pheneatia - BSc Extended Degree, Forensic Science
In 2001, on the verge of finishing my A-Levels and excited with the prospect of reading medicine at university, the sudden death of a close family member threw my world into turmoil and I was unable to complete my finals. Caught between the transitioning educational systems, I was given no option to sit my exams; I was heart broken, not once but twice. Despite predicated high grades and a consistent and unblemished academic record, no college would let me sit my final few exams and no university would enrol me on anticipated grades. I found myself at a dead end; my confidence and spirit were broken.
The following year, I was picking up the pieces. Doing the rounds again with the universities, I came by the University of East London where a sympathetic lecturer agreed to meet with me and hear my story. Finally there was a light at the end of the tunnel. The School of Health, Sport and Bioscience agreed to enrol me on an Extended Degree Programme in Forensic Science – they did what no other university would do; they let me back in the ring - as an act of faith it is one of the most significant and magnanimous gestures I have ever received.
My four years at the University of East London were not just about receiving an academic education in a highly multi-disciplinary, demanding and genuinely difficult course but in that time, I rebuilt myself, my confidence and my spirit – by 2006, I was stronger than ever before. On the eve of getting my results, I was called for an interview at King’s College London for a PhD appointment and after they received my transcripts I was accepted. I felt so vindicated and rewarded; my resilience and hard work was paying off in spades. My struggle to get to where I am today is my making and I have no regrets on the journey I have taken but I know I would not be here if it wasn’t for the School’s belief in me. The University of East London is not your run of the mill variety and it’s something different to every one of its students. To me, it was my second chance – they heard my story and considered me as person not a number. The lecturers understand, it’s not where you’re from it’s where you are going: anybody can be somebody at the University of East London.
