Degree's a fair cop for happy mother

Lorna Woodland decided that juggling parenthood with the irregular hours of the police force was virtually impossible.

The 43-year-old, from Fernhill Heath, enrolled on a three-year course in business management, and after being "thrilled" to pass with second-class honours, is in a position to consider a career in teaching.

"As a single parent with a young son, it was too difficult to cope with the irregular shift work and I'm looking forward to a change of career," she said.

Usually, nervous final-year students crowd around noticeboards at UCW's St John's campus to find out whether they had passed or failed their crucial exams.

But, this year, just a handful of students turned up, because now most can now access results via the internet.

But, for those who attended, there were congratulatory hugs and tears of joy all round for those students who received the results they wanted.

Overall, first degrees in BSc (Hons) were up more than 50 per cent on last year - increasing from three to eight - while firsts in BA (Hons) courses fell slightly, from 15 to 14.

One of the biggest success stories was in the four-year BA Hons Qualified Teacher course, in which three students received first-class honours.

Business Management students Maria Hill, aged 21, of St John's, Katrina Cousins, of Kidderminster, and 21-year-old Rhian Hawkings, of Warndon Villages, Worcester, were other students celebrating at UCW after the news of their 2.1 results.

UCW Principal Professor David Green was delighted at the successes achieved by this year's students and, after a well-attended open day on Sunday, hopes the trend will continue.

"We had more than 560 potential students at this year's open day, compared to the then record-breaking 500 last year," he said.

"So we're looking forward to welcoming an increase in the number of students coming through our doors and in increase in our successes."