Congratulations to Dr Sarah Saunders, lecturer in Business Management at NPTC Group of Colleges, on being awarded her PhD in Education this week.

“My research focused on the experiences of students in South Wales who choose to study for a higher education qualification at a further education (FE) College rather than attend a university. This interest stemmed from my role as a lecturer in an FE college and my passion for college-based higher education.

“Through this work, I hope my research highlights the vital work we do in the college-based higher education sector. This sector deserves greater recognition, as it transforms lives and provides access to higher education for those who might otherwise be excluded.

“The moment that made me most proud was when I received the email that my thesis had been accepted. Until that point, I had struggled with self-doubt, wondering if I could achieve a PhD. The sense of relief and emotion I felt when the email came through was immense! I was also invited to speak about my research at the USW HE in FE Research conference, which reinforced the importance and relevance of my work to the sector.

“If I could offer advice to someone starting a PhD, it would be to prepare for the challenges of loneliness and self-doubt. It’s important to have realistic expectations and understand that maintaining motivation and discipline can be difficult, especially when working part-time and focusing on a single subject for years.

“There were many times when I didn’t think I could carry on with it, but I honed my scheduling skills, used lists, and kept reminding myself of the purpose of my research and why I wanted to pursue it. My supervisors went above and beyond to support me, not just academically but also personally, and made a real difference by bolstering my confidence. They also set deadlines and milestones, which helped, as I am someone who thrives on structure.

“The most rewarding part of my PhD experience has been achieving something I never thought possible. As the first in my family to attend university, I wanted to show my family, peers, and the students that I teach that an average person can achieve a PhD while balancing work and other commitments."



Read Dr Sarah Saunders's thesis: An investigation into the recruitment and retention of higher education students in further education colleges in South Wales