Katie Shaw and Katie Challinor share the same first name, took the same BTEC in Early Years at Newcastle College and are now enrolling on the same degree together.
They will be studying Primary Education with QTS, which means they can become qualified teachers when they graduate.
It was the course that attracted Katie Shaw to apply to Staffordshire University. The 18-year-old, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, said: “It allows you to grow in confidence so you progress into teaching independently.
“I want to be a teacher because I have younger siblings. I like to help them at home with their education.”
She achieved a distinction* and two distinction grades in her BTEC extended diploma.
Katie Challinor gained a distinction and two merits after completing the same course at college. The 18-year-old, from Kidsgrove, said: “Since I was little, I’ve wanted to be a teacher. I’m looking at teaching reception age children.”
BTECs have long been a popular route to higher education. A number of Newcastle College students are now planning to study at Staffordshire University after taking the vocational qualifications.
Awais Rehman, who achieved a triple merit in his BTEC extended diploma in IT, will be doing a Cyber Security degree. The 19-year-old, from Normacot, said: “I did cyber security for a module at college and found it interesting. I thought I would take it further.
“Part of it was thinking about the job prospects. The IT industry is expanding and there’s quite good money in cyber security. There are always going to be jobs.”
Ben Ware has also set his sights on a career in a booming sector – either the games or film industry. He will be studying CGI and Visual Effects at Staffordshire University. He achieved top grades in his BTEC extended diploma in Games Design.
The 18-year-old, from Burslem, said: “The course sounded good and I wanted to do 3D modelling. I’m really interested in effects in movies. When I go to the cinema, I’m always over-analysing every frame and want to pause it because the effects are cool.”
Eighteen-year-old Jack Mills, from Norton, also did Games Design at Newcastle College. He will be studying Computer Games Development at university.
He said: “I picked Staffs because it’s so good for games. I went to an open day and was really impressed with all the screens. It’s really exciting.
“I’m going to be doing a placement year as well. I’ll get to actually work in a studio, which is a big attraction.”
Cameron Stevens-Thys will also be getting hands-on experience as he’ll be studying Sports Therapy at Staffordshire University. He is looking forward to working with real clients in the sports therapy clinic at the Stoke-on-Trent campus.
Cameron, who is just shy of his 18th birthday and lives in Porthill, gained top grades in his BTEC extended diploma in Sports Science at Newcastle College.
“Sports massage was my stronger side and that’s the side I wanted to go into. I’m also a tennis coach,” he said. “I chose Staffordshire University because the facilities are great. It’s got a gym as well.”
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