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Elizabeth Christian

1991: Access to HE (Humanities), South Downs College
1994: BA (Hons) English and Related Arts, Chichester College*
1999: MA Cultural and Social Change, University of Southampton
2000: PGCE, University of Portsmouth
2011: Teacher of English Literature at University of Portsmouth

It wasn't until my late 40s that I discovered the wonderful world of academia!

I had always wanted to be a teacher but didn’t have the opportunity to continue my studies after leaving school in 1955. I passed the civil service exam and started working for HM Inspector of Taxes before meeting my husband and raising four children. Part-time roles in a solicitors' office and for the DHSS followed, but it was a job as a personal assistant to the Professor of Robotics at the University Portsmouth that ultimately changed my life.

Working with the PHD students was really fascinating and the professor was surprised when I said I didn’t have a degree. I explained that I did well as school, but university was never really an option. He recommended taking an Access to HE course at the local college, which would give me an entry route into university.

I enrolled on an Access to HE course in Humanities at South Downs College and enjoyed a very rewarding year. I passed with flying colours and this gave me the confidence to start a degree course in English and Related Arts. After graduating with first class honours, I was accepted for a master’s degree at the University of Southampton. I then started studying for a doctorate, but didn't finish the course as I was offered a post teaching A level English at the University of Portsmouth. This led to me completing a PGCE and becoming an Access tutor in English Literature - thus eventually fulfilling a childhood dream

I don't tell my students my age, but when I start speaking about my experiences in the Second World War they can have a jolly good guess! If I hadn’t taken the Access to HE course, then I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to become a teacher - and would have missed out on the joy of helping others to increase their knowledge and improve their prospects.

* Now University of Chichester

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