Graduation 2025

After seven years working in Aberdeen’s oil and gas sector, Connor realised he needed a major life change.

Having graduated with an HND in Applied Sciences from North East Scotland College in 2016, he spent years progressing from Laboratory Technician to Senior Chemist, even managing a department through the pandemic. But after reflecting on his career, Connor decided it was time to follow his true passion - animals.

In 2023, he enrolled in the HND Animal Care course at Dundee and Angus College. “Before studying Applied Sciences, I’d done an NC in Animal Care,” he explained. “I wanted to return to what I loved and pursue a career that genuinely meant something to me.”

Connor says his time at college gave him “a sense of purpose again.” He added, “Before enrolling, I felt like I was moving through life aimlessly. Coming back to college rejuvenated me - I’m a better person because of it.”

He credits his classmates and lecturers for being his biggest support network. “We made friends for life. From zoo trips to carpooling to Kingsway, we kept each other going. And the lecturers - they’re brilliant. Approachable, empathetic, and understanding.”

Connor admits the HND course was challenging at times, but perseverance and college support saw him through. His proudest moments include earning A grades in both his HNC and HND graded units and being elected Student President.

Now, as he continues representing students in his presidential role, Connor hopes to one day build a career in the Animal Care sector. His advice to future students? “What are you waiting for? Just do it! Being a student at D&A College is a fantastic opportunity, grab it with both hands.”

After more than 20 years in Health and Social Care, including a leadership role managing a housing support team, Sarah knew it was time for a change. When a company restructure shifted her position, she made the brave decision to step back and rethink her future.

“I needed a new direction for my career and my life,” Sarah explained. “I took up a temporary role in a care home while I figured out what to do next. I started reflecting on what I’d enjoyed most about my work, the administration and organisational side and that led me to Dundee and Angus College.”

Sarah first completed a Fast Track Administration course, intending to move into HNC Administration. But after discovering her love for the business modules, one of her tutors encouraged her to try HNC Business, which she completed in 2024, followed by HND Business in 2025.

“I really enjoyed learning about economics,” she said. “For my graded units, I researched Scottish ice cream company Mackie’s and later carried out an individual investigation. It was intense, but so rewarding.”

Her time at college wasn’t without challenges. Living with severe hearing loss and later being diagnosed with dyslexia meant Sarah had to adapt. “My hearing loss can be debilitating,” she shared. “Through SAAS and Student Services, I received amazing support and equipment that helped me succeed.” She also spoke warmly of Andy McCormack from Student Services, describing him as her “sounding board when things got a bit crazy.”

Despite personal hardships, including the loss of her beloved dog Millie, Sarah persevered - and thrived. “I’m extremely proud to have achieved both my HNC and HND qualifications and to have been nominated for the Business Prize.

Her advice to future students is simple yet powerful: “Attend. Engage. Study. Ask questions. Persevere!”

Now, Sarah plans to take a well-earned break before deciding on her next adventure, confident that her time at D&A College has opened new doors and renewed her confidence.

For Amber, art has always been more than a hobby - it’s been her language, her escape, and her identity. After graduating from Morgan Academy, Amber joined Dundee and Angus College to study HND Textiles, where her creativity flourished and her confidence grew.

“Art was my sanctuary,” Amber explained. “It was the only way I could truly express myself. I wanted to turn that passion into a career.”

Initially, Amber considered interior design but didn’t secure a spot in the course - a twist she now calls “a blessing in disguise.” She said, “Not getting into interior design led me to textiles, and I quickly realised this is where I truly belong.”

Amber loved the creative process of drawing and developing designs, describing it as “exhilarating - a way to express myself in ways I’d never imagined.” As someone with autism, she said the patience and kindness of her lecturers and classmates were vital to her success. “They were so supportive. I ask a lot of questions, but they always took time to help me understand.”

Challenges like re-learning to sew and tackling garment construction didn’t stop her. “Maths isn’t my strong suit, and I hadn’t touched a sewing machine since I was nine,” she laughed. “But every obstacle became a learning experience.

Her proudest moment came when she unexpectedly won a prize at the college’s prize-giving ceremony. “I thought my classmate was joking when she told me,” she said. “When I found out it was true, I was so honoured. My family were so proud, it showed them how far I’ve come despite my autism.”

Amber also took part in the student fashion show, even stepping in as a model when others couldn’t make it. “I didn’t want anyone’s work to go unseen. If I can’t wear ’em, I’ll rock ’em!” she laughed.

Next, Amber will continue her studies at Heriot-Watt University, ready to take her love for textiles to the next level. Her advice for others? “Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Focus on what makes you happy, be kind to yourself, and keep asking questions - curiosity is your greatest tool.”

When Yulia arrived in Scotland in 2022 with her two children, fleeing the war in Ukraine, her life changed overnight. Back home, she had worked as a paediatrician, but in a new country and a new language, she was determined to rebuild, not just for herself, but for her family.

“I wanted to improve my English, but I also wanted to gain a recognised qualification,” Yulia explained. “Many of my friends applied for ESOL courses, but I wanted something that would let me practice English while studying a subject I loved. I saw the HNC Applied Sciences course in the prospectus and thought - why not try?”

That decision turned out to be life changing. “I enjoyed everything about this course, from the very beginning until the end,” she said. “The laboratory work - microbiology, chemistry, genetics - was my favourite. I’d known about techniques like PCR before, but here I finally got to perform them myself.”

Yulia credits the Science department staff and her classmates for making her experience so positive. “The staff were amazing and very supportive. Everything was clearly explained, and I always knew what was expected of me,” she said. “I also made friends in class, and we often prepared for assessments together.”

Balancing studies, motherhood, and a language barrier was no small feat. “My two biggest challenges were childcare and English,” she admitted. “But the college helped with nursery funding and flexible schedules, and I was even allowed extra time in exams. It reduced my stress and gave me confidence.”

Her proudest moment? “Passing every assessment on my first try - no resits!” Now, Yulia is preparing to begin a Biomedical Science degree at Abertay University, with dreams of becoming a Biomedical Scientist in the NHS.

Her advice for others is heartfelt: “Don’t hesitate. Dundee and Angus College is so friendly and supportive. Use every opportunity, attend, learn, and give your best. You’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.”

For Agata, starting college straight from school was both exciting and a little intimidating. Coming from Montrose Academy, where she studied Higher English, Art & Design, History, RMPS, and Psychology, she already had a taste of college life through taking Psychology classes at Dundee and Angus College’s Arbroath campus. That familiarity turned out to be the perfect springboard for her next chapter.

“I’d already spent some time at D&A through school, so I knew the campus and some of the lecturers,” Agata said. “That made me more confident about applying.” A visit from a college speaker at Montrose Academy sealed the deal. “They talked about college as an alternative to staying on for S6, and that’s what first got me thinking about it seriously.”

Encouraged by her Psychology lecturer, Agata chose the HNC Social Sciences course, a decision she calls “the perfect stepping stone” between secondary school and university. “I didn’t feel quite ready for university yet,” she explained, “and this course helped me build confidence and independence.”

What Agata enjoyed most was the sense of community within her small class. “Because there weren’t too many of us, everyone got to know each other well,” she said. “You could talk to anyone freely, and even get to know lecturers on a more personal level.”

Adapting to a new learning routine after school took effort. “I struggled at first after the summer break,” she admitted. “Creating a daily to-do list helped me get organised and stay on track.”

Her hard work paid off as Agata achieved 100% on her end of year exam, a moment she calls her proudest achievement. “It made all those study hours feel worth it,” she said proudly.

Now heading to Abertay University to continue studying Psychology, Agata offers this advice to future students: “Cherish your time here! If you’re coming straight from school, college can feel like your last step before adulthood. Make the most of the support and resources and don’t forget to try the soup in the cafeteria, it’s really good!”

After more than a decade away from education, Chloe-Lee has proven that determination and passion can overcome even the toughest challenges. The HND Games Development graduate’s journey at Dundee and Angus College is one of resilience, creativity, and incredible perseverance.

Chloe first attended college between 2012 and 2016 but withdrew after becoming pregnant with her first child. “Back then, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do,” she explained. “After my son was diagnosed with autism, returning to education wasn’t easy but I never lost the desire to learn.”

After trying Open University and realising she missed the energy of campus life, Chloe made the decision to return to D&A College to pursue her long-held dream of working in games development. “I’ve always been fascinated by how games are created,” she said. “Programming especially caught my attention and I wanted to understand every part of the process.”

Her lecturers and classmates became a vital support network. “They believed in me before I believed in myself,” Chloe said warmly. “They were there through every challenge - from pregnancy to surgery - and never stopped encouraging me to keep going.”

During her HND, Chloe studied while heavily pregnant, took maternity leave, and even returned to college just four weeks after major surgery. “It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but I pushed through,” she said. “I learned that asking for help isn’t weakness, it’s strength.”

That strength paid off when she earned an A on her final solo graded unit project, completing a game entirely on her own. “I was sleep-deprived with a newborn, but I was determined,” she laughed. “That A meant everything.”

Chloe was also a class and department representative, joined the Warhammer Club, and twice won Most Promising Game at the 2024 and 2025 Game Jams.

Now studying Computer Game Applications Development at Abertay University, she hopes to become a professional games programmer. Her advice to others? “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You’re not supposed to know everything. College will challenge you, but it will also change you for the better.”

For Tawa Tom, the journey to studying HND Physical Activity and Health at Dundee and Angus College began with determination, resilience, and a passion for sport. After finishing high school at Madras College, Tawa was thrilled to receive his college acceptance, a moment made unforgettable when he was featured on Good Morning Britain and in The Courier.

“My offer was conditional, so meeting the entry requirements felt like a huge achievement,” he recalled. “Retaking Higher English and improving from a D to a B taught me not to give up, it proved that anything is possible.”

Originally aiming to study Fitness, Health and Nutrition at Abertay University, Tawa didn’t initially meet the entry requirements, but saw college as the perfect route forward. “Choosing D&A was one of the best decisions I’ve made,” he said. “I’ve always had a passion for sport and fitness, and the course helped me grow in confidence and apply my learning to real-life situations.”

Tawa loved the hands-on nature of his course, especially the client based projects. “I worked with the same client across both my HNC and HND years, which was amazing. Seeing their progress over time was so rewarding.”

His dedication and enthusiasm didn’t go unnoticed, Tawa was named Student of the Year for HNC Physical Activity and Health. “I didn’t even know there was an award,” he laughed. “It meant so much knowing my lecturers recognised my hard work and the £50 Amazon voucher was a nice bonus!”

Tawa also gained experience running lunchtime dodgeball and basketball clubs, as well as completing a placement with Active Schools. “It helped me build leadership skills and gave me confidence in working with young people.”

Now progressing to Abertay University to study Fitness, Nutrition and Health, Tawa credits D&A College for preparing him well. “I used to think university was the only path,” he said. “College showed me how valuable it can be. The lecturers are supportive, the environment is friendly, and it helps you discover what you truly want to do.”

His message to future students is simple: “Don’t underestimate what college can do for you, it might just be the best decision you ever make.”