Bedford College Access Course Transforms Student’s Future with Master’s Offer from Cambridge

Bedford College, part of The Bedford College Group is celebrating the remarkable success of former Access to Psychology student Katrina Scales, who has secured an offer to study for a Master’s degree at the University of Cambridge.

This is a milestone she credits to the life-changing support and foundations she received during her time at college.

Katrina began her transformative journey at Bedford College in 2023, enrolling on the Access to Psychology course having an interest in psychosocial understandings of social justice issues, politics and activism. What followed was not only academic success, but a profound shift in confidence, belief and opportunity.

Just months into the nine-month course, Katrina discovered she was pregnant. Determined to continue her education, she was supported every step of the way by her lecturers, submitting her final assignment just five days before giving birth to her son.

Reflecting on her time at Bedford College, Katrina said:

“My lecturers at Bedford College were incredibly supportive of me and had more faith in me than I had in myself. They saw my potential and didn’t put a cap on it, even with my circumstances. They all helped me in their own way and I felt incredibly close with them all. The course was only about nine months of my life, but I think I will remember all of their names forever.”

Katrina believes the foundations built at Bedford College gave her the confidence not only to succeed academically, but to fully immerse herself in university life. Alongside her studies and caring for her newborn, she became a Student Representative and later a Curriculum Consultant, contributing to the academic community while excelling in her degree.

Her achievements were recognised when she was awarded the prestigious Dean’s Student of the Year Award for the School of Creative Arts 2025 at the University of Hertfordshire.

“The Access course served as the stepping stone I needed,” Katrina explained.

“When I arrived at university, I already felt familiar with key concepts and confident in my ability to learn. With a newborn baby, that confidence made all the difference. During my course at Bedford College, I started to believe I could truly thrive and create the life I wanted.”

Dorota Majcher, Course Manager in Social Studies HE and Lecturer in Psychology at Bedford College, said:

“Katrina’s story highlights the transformative power of Access courses. She demonstrated incredible determination, but she also embraced the skills, structure and support available to her. We are immensely proud to see her progressing to Cambridge and continuing to pursue her ambitions.”

Katrina describes education as her “lifeline out of poverty” and hopes her journey challenges stereotypes faced by young single mothers.

Her success serves as a great example of how Bedford College’s Access programmes open doors not only to university, but to confidence, opportunity and life-changing progression.

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Access Course ar Bedford College