Forest of Dean Apprentice Wins £1,000 Scholarship for Academic Excellence

A Forest of Dean woman who has been awarded a £1,000 scholarship for excellence in her studies says her degree apprenticeship has given her the confidence to pursue a career she is passionate about.

Kayleigh Nelmes, 41, who is in the second year of her Occupational Therapy Degree Apprenticeship at the University of Worcester, earned the prestigious Academic Scholarship for consistent excellence in her studies.

“Receiving this award means much more to me than recognition of academic achievement,” said Kayleigh. “It represents an opportunity to challenge the self-critic in me, rediscover my capabilities and pursue a career that I am passionate about, while continuing to balance the commitments of family, work and study.”

Occupational therapists play a key role in helping people regain, maintain, or improve their participation in life. Often, they work with people whose ability to take part in life has been impacted by injury, disability or illness.

Degree apprentices like Kayleigh learn at university and through work-based learning.

Kayleigh said: “When the opportunity arose to complete a degree apprenticeship through my NHS employment, I was elated but equally apprehensive. It had been 17 years since I completed my degree in Psychology, and I questioned whether I would be able to re-establish effective study strategies.”

“I need not have worried,” she said. “The encouragement and expertise of my workplace mentors and colleagues, alongside the guidance and support of my university lecturers, helped make what felt like a daunting transition achievable.”

When she completes her training, Kayleigh will graduate from the University of the Year for Graduate Jobs in the Daily Mail University Guide 2027, with judges describing a performance that “leaves many of the Russell Group in the shade”.

The University of Worcester is this year shortlisted for the Outstanding Support for Students in the Times Higher Education Awards for the efforts of staff to raise money for student scholarships and hardship funds.

Professor David Green CBE, DL, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University, said: “Every year, thanks to the generosity of alumni, philanthropists and friends of the University, we are able to award academic scholarships to students who perform outstandingly well – typically gaining straight As across their studies. Achieving such excellent results consistently requires dedication, ability and sheer hard work.”

“All of us at the University are very proud of all our scholarship winners who come from across the range of our courses and from many backgrounds,” he added. “Every year this includes scholarship winners who are students who did not particularly excel at school but find that the intellectual and professional challenge of university combined with the expert education provided at Worcester brings out the very best in them.”