An electrician who will now go onto study at Cambridge is among the students changing their lives with access courses.
City College Norwich (CCN) has marked the achievements of 200 students who have finished Access to Higher Education courses, which prepare students without traditional qualifications for study at university.
They include 21-year-old Timothy Trayhurn, from Trowse, who worked as an electrician but had a long-term aspiration to get into screen writing.
He completed an access course in humanities and social sciences and will now go onto to study English at Cambridge University.
He said: 'I knew I was capable of a bit more, so I thought I'd try and have a stab at university. When I finally got my grades I was pretty elated to have got into Cambridge.'
CCN's deputy principal Jerry White presented students with end of year certificates at a ceremony at St Andrews House earlier this month.
Fifteen received special awards in recognition of outstanding achievements, determination in overcoming barriers and contributions to their course.
For Laurie Smith, 30 and from Fakenham, it was caring for a friend with Parkinson's that inspired her decision to change her career.
Mrs Smith had followed in her family's footsteps, spending 15 years working in pubs and kitchens.
Now, having completed a science for health practitioners access course, she will go onto study occupational therapy at the University of East Anglia.
Meanwhile, when rugby player Joseph Cousens, from Hingham, suffered an injury, the 24-year-old had to reconsider his options. Wanting to move into physiotherapy, he completed an access course in science for health practitioners, and will now study a physiotherapy degree.
Mr White said: 'Once again we have had an exceptional cohort of students, who have brought a wide diversity of past experiences to their access courses, whilst sharing the common aim of reaching their chosen higher education programmes.
'Whether they are moving on to the excellent higher education options available in Norfolk, or heading further afield for their degree, we wish our access class of 2017 the very best and hope that they will keep in touch.'
From crop science to nursing
A crop scientist from Nigeria is to embark on a career in nursing.
Rita Essien, 30, moved to the UK with her husband six years ago and began work as a care assistant.
Inspired by the career, she decided to train to become fully qualified in adult nursing, and has now completed a science for health practitioners access course.
Mrs Essien, who completed a degree in crop science while in Nigeria, is now set to study nursing at UEA.
She said: 'I really enjoy caring for people and looking after people, especially adults, I think it is my passion.
'At the end of the nursing degree I could work in a hospital or in a care home, there are so many prospects. I have really enjoyed the access course, I have learnt a lot. Our teachers were amazing. I've made a lot of friends.'
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