Mature student, Amber Jacques, was determined to pursue a degree level qualification despite failing her GCSEs.
Mature student, Amber Jacques, was determined to pursue a degree level qualification despite failing her GCSEs.
After leaving school, Amber went straight in to working in hospitality and then became a single parent to a son at the age of 19, giving her the drive she needed to go back to education. Amber decided to go to college and achieved NVQ Levels 2 and 3 in Business Administration. The learning Amber received made her ambitious to work in academia.
She chose to study the University of Central Lancashire’s degree in Policing and Criminal Investigation due to her passion for policing and began her higher education journey in the foundation year of the course.
After graduation, Amber spent time with her son and worked to earn money before returning to study for a postgraduate degree in Financial Investigation. She was keen to continue her education and with an interest in research, Amber chose to start a PhD. At the same time, she was offered a temporary teaching job.
Amber is currently studying for her doctorate degree part-time whilst teaching full-time on the Policing and Criminal Investigation course here at the University of Central Lancashire. In her role as Professional Tutor, Amber teaches study skills in criminal investigation to first year students and teaches cryptocurrency to second and third year students.
Looking back on her time at UCLan, Amber said her lasting memories were: “Meeting great friends who I still have contact with today and the continued support from the Policing Team, whom if it wasn’t for, I would not be where I am today.” She added:
"I am so happy that I can now give something back to the University that has helped me be successful."