Clearing gives Kingston University law student second chance at higher education after working in a care home during the pandemic

Posted Monday 14 August 2023

Law student Alisha Bysooa

Former care worker Alisha Bysooa is setting her sights on a new career as a solicitor following a call to the Kingston University Clearing hotline.

The first year law student originally started a law degree at Kingston in 2017, before leaving the University during her first year to move in to the care sector, working in a residential care home during the pandemic and then becoming a physio assistant.

Having left higher education the first time around as a result of personal circumstances, including health issues, she decided last year that she would like to return to her studies through Clearing. "My time in the care sector was truly eye-opening, it taught me so much about myself and the needs of other people and I really enjoyed looking after the care home residents," the 26 year old, who grew up in Italy to parents from Mauritius, said. "However, law was always something I wanted to do and by last Summer I'd reached the point where I felt like it was the right time to go back to my studies.

"The Clearing process was so straightforward and made me feel excited about returning to university," she said. "I've had such a fantastic time since I've been back at Kingston, I've made lots of friends and am really enjoying the course. The staff here have also been so encouraging, including one of my lecturers who I actually met back in 2017 when I was first here. They've really helped me to settle back in to campus life quickly."

Since returning to the University, Alisha has changed her perspective on what area of law she wants to specialise in. "I've enjoyed so many aspects of the course that I'm keeping my options open until I graduate," she said. "I had been set on going into criminal law, but becoming a solicitor is a path I'm now considering, as the module we studied on civil law really opened my eyes to how interesting this side of the profession can be."

Offering her advice to other students who have dropped out of university previously, Alisha encouraged them to pick up the phone and find out what their options might be. "If you have the opportunity for a second chance at university you should grab it because it's never too late to pursue the career you want," she said. "It doesn't matter what age you are and I'm glad Clearing has given me the opportunity to return to my studies."

Senior lecturer in law and course leader for Law with Professional Experience Eric Jeanpierre praised the work that Alisha has put in to her first year. "Alisha has demonstrated just how hard working and dedicated a student she is in her first year and it is great to see that her experience this time around has been so positive," he said. "Clearing gives people like Alisha the chance to come to Kingston University so I would urge anyone who has any questions around whether a course might be right for them to ring the hotline on A-level results day and speak to an academic to find out more."

Alisha now plans to continue into her second year at Kingston University before exploring the option of a spending a year studying abroad.

Categories: On campus, Students