Celebrating Success: Grace's Journey from Liverpool Life Sciences UTC to Medical School
At Liverpool Life Sciences UTC, we believe in celebrating the success stories of our students, especially when their journeys reflect the values of hard work, determination, and resilience. One such story is that of Grace, a Year 13 alumna who has achieved something incredibly rare: gaining admission to study medicine at Plymouth University with a Triple Applied Science BTEC qualification.
Grace’s story is not only a testament to her tenacity but also an inspiration to current and future students at Life Sciences UTC, showcasing that with the right mindset, even the most unconventional paths can lead to remarkable outcomes.
We had the pleasure of sitting down with Grace to learn more about her journey from UTC to university and the lessons she’s learned along the way.
Can you give us a bit of background on how you found out about UTC and what led you to join us?
When I came to the UK, school was a priority, and my family had to find one that was close to home. My brother actually came across UTC online, saw the reviews, and thought it would be a great fit. We decided to make the move together, and I joined him at UTC. The first person I met was Dr. Moore, who assessed my Nigerian results and placed me in Year 11, which was perfect for my age. I started in September, and that’s how my journey with UTC began.
After completing your GCSEs, what was your next step?
I initially wanted to do A-level Chemistry, Biology, and Psychology, as my goal was to pursue medicine. However, I found out that I couldn’t take A-levels due to my previous results and schooling in Nigeria. So, I decided to go down the route of studying a BTEC in Triple Applied Science, which covers Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. It was a mix of coursework and exams, but the grading system was tough, it was challenging to achieve top marks across the board. Nevertheless, I worked hard and passed my exams.
During your BTEC studies, how did your aspirations evolve, especially regarding medicine?
Honestly, at one point during my BTEC, medicine felt like a distant dream. I still had an interest in it, but I was ready to settle for Biomedical Science instead, thinking I could later transition to medicine. However, everything changed when I got close to Miss Chandler, who encouraged me. She explained that while it’s very rare, it’s not impossible to study medicine with a BTEC qualification. She told me about a student who had managed to get into Plymouth University, although he had to wait for an extra year. That gave me the motivation I needed to keep going and believe that I could turn a ‘no’ into a ‘yes.’
I applied to several universities: Leeds, Plymouth, and Keele for medicine, as well as two nursing courses. I got accepted into the nursing programmes but was rejected from medicine at Leeds and Keele. However, Plymouth placed me on the waiting list after my interview, and while the wait was tough, I stayed hopeful. I was ready to pursue nursing if medicine didn’t work out. But then, on August 15th, I got the call from Plymouth: I had a place in their medical programme. It was incredible, I’m going to be a doctor!
What advice would you give to students starting Sixth Form this September?
My biggest piece of advice is to stay focused. Don’t get distracted by what your friends are doing or what’s happening around you. The future is what matters most, so keep your eye on your goals. Also, don’t take ‘no’ for an answer. Just because someone says no, it doesn’t mean it’s the final answer. There’s always another way to reach your goals.
What was your favourite part of your experience at Life Sciences UTC?
One thing that really stood out to me was the morning toast and coffee! I don’t usually have breakfast, but the toast in the morning helped me start my day right. It’s such a simple thing, but it made a difference. I hope you continue the tradition, it’s a little thing that really helped.
What excites you most about your future in medicine and beyond?
I’m excited to be a doctor, for sure. I’m thinking about specialising in cardiology or becoming a cardiac surgeon, as I’m very interested in heart-related medicine. But beyond medicine, I also have other dreams. I want to be a businesswoman and eventually open a care home and pharmacy. I have big plans for my future. Maybe I’ll collaborate with the government on healthcare projects, or start small businesses that provide services like car washing or window cleaning. There’s so much I want to achieve!
Grace’s story exemplifies the core belief at Life Sciences UTC: that hard work and perseverance pay off, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. Grace’s achievement in securing a place in a prestigious medical programme with a Triple Applied Science BTEC is rare, and she has shown that with resilience and determination, anything is possible.
We are incredibly proud of Grace and excited to see where her journey will take her next. Her story serves as an inspiration to all our students, proving that unconventional paths can lead to extraordinary destinations.