DEGREES are becoming more commonplace among today's young people, but for their parents and grandparents, the opportunities were often more restricted.

A less affluent society, fewer college and university places and the tempting option of earning money rather than studying meant that far fewer people chose the academic world after school.

Once they joined the work scene, the chances of ever doing a degree seemed gone forever...until the tide turned in recent years and lifelong learning took a hold.

Now, at University College, part of Warrington Collegiate Instititute, degrees can be done on a part-time basis, and many people are fitting them in alongside a full-time job.

Fifteen part-time students who studied combined studies in business and management, have just completed degrees which they received at a graduation ceremony at Manchester University, which validates University College's degrees.

Meryl Bradshaw, lecturer in business management and part-time degree co-ordinator, said the course was in its fourth year. This September, there will be new part-time degree courses in sport and leisure.

One hundred and twenty students are doing the business management course at the moment. It's flexible and they can take up to seven years to complete the course if they want.

Meryl explained that the minimum study time could be as little as half an evening a week, and three hours homework depending on the number of modules students decide to take.

The majority of the part-time students have jobs. They include managing directors, office workers and people in IT, marketing, personnel and finance.

The current cost is £840 per level and there are three levels. The cost of course can be spread out with students paying on for the modules they decide to take.

Meryl added that 60 per cent of the people doing the course are having their studies funded wholly or in part by their companies. "There is evidence that gaining a degree improves their careers," said Meryl.

The GUARDIAN talked to some of the new graduates.

Tony Strong, 38, of Old Hall, is married with four children. He left school at 16 with three 'O' levels and went into an engineering apprenticeship as a welder.

"I was immature, and looking for work" said Tony. "I wasn't academic. I had the ability but I didn't apply myself.

"I came from a working class background. My dad was a labourer and he was happy to see me as an engineering apprentice. There was lots of work about and at that time, about 80 per cent of school leavers were going into employment. The government wasn't pushing further education as strongly."

Tony didn't like the idea of doing without a wage to go to university. "You start courting and you want money," he said. "Later, I looked at other people and I realised I had missed an opportunity."

When he saw a poster advertising part-time degree courses, Tony decided to go for it. He is now a shift manager at Lubrizol in Bromborough, and was previously with Laporte at Widnes.

Both companies have covered the cost of his studies. Ten years ago Tony got a certificate in supervisory management. That, plus his relevant experience, was enough to get him on the course. He has fitted in two nights at University College, plus about six hours homework a week for three years.

"I found it enjoyable going back to a learning environment," he said.

John Bramhall, of Grappenhall, left school with his sights set on becoming a professional footballer. University didn't figure on the scene.

Initially John did an engineering apprenticeship but by the time he was 20, he was playing football for Tranmere Rovers.

He gave up football in l991, and became an executive with the Professional Footballers' Association, based in Manchester.

Over the years, John has gained several qualifications, including a HNC in business studies and a teaching certificate, so a degree, for him, was a natural progression. John, who is married with two sons, was looking out for a part-time course when he heard about the facilities at the Collegiate.

"It was a good opportunity to be able to fit it in with full time employment," said John.

It has not been easy for him. In addition to working in Manchester, John travels regularly to London as part of his work. He has had to miss a few classes during his three years' study. His family have been supportive of his studies.

"It was a relief to finish," he said."I don't know if it will progress my career. There are a lot of people of degree standard in the market place and if you do want to change your circumstances, I think it is something that you need."

The cost of John's degree was covered by the Footballers' Further Education and Vocational Training Society.

Helena Smith, 29, of Padgate, had nine 'O' levels when she left school. She considered going on to do A levels, but when a job as a clerical trainee became available at Fiddler's Ferry, with the chance of day release for further study, Helena took it.

She is still there, and now, after 13 years, is a PA. During that time, she did BTec ordinary national and higher national certificates, before deciding to go on to a degree.

Helena's company is paying for her degree costs. She puts in a couple of nights a week at the Collegiate, plus homework. Although she has no family to look after, it can still be difficult, as she sometimes work until 7pm at her job. "You do have to motivate yourself at the end of a day's work", she said.

Helena hopes that her degree will help her to progress in her job. This is one of the reasons why she did it. She hopes to get into PR and there will be scope for that with her company.

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