Two students at the University of Suffolk have proved it’s never too late to earn a degree, after graduating at the age of 60 this week.
Angi Mariani graduated her BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science degree with first class honours on Monday evening, after studying on the course part-time over the last six years.
On Tuesday afternoon, Angela Moss celebrated her BSc (Hons) Psychology and Sociology degree – and has already progressed onto the MSc Applications of Psychology Master’s with the university this autumn.
Angi Mariani
Both students, who celebrated with course mates and family members at the ceremonies on Ipswich waterfront this week, said learning later in life is always a possibility.
Angi, 60, said: “It’s been a real privilege. The quality of teaching at the University of Suffolk is exceptional and I am so glad I started and completed the course.
“It shows it is never too late to learn – I think people should be thinking about learning throughout their life, whatever they have a passion for.”
Angela Moss celebrated her 61st birthday earlier this month, and added: “Age can’t be a barrier. People are going back into the workplace, having to work later in life, so if there is something you want to do to change your work or career path, it just doesn’t stop at any age.
“Mature students have so much life experience, and it’s a very valuable tool to have.”
Angi’s degree is her third qualification, having completed a BA (Hons) Social Anthropology degree at the University of Sussex with first class honours in 1991, and graduating from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical medicine in 2012 with an MSc in Epidemiology.
Angi is originally from Ipswich and now lives and works in Brighton. She operated a music venue in the city for 17 years, Latest Music Bar, as well as running music events out of Brighton Palace Pier and Latest Records showcasing Brighton songwriters and musicians.
She was also instrumental in setting up Latest TV, the city’s dedicated TV channel covering Brighton, Hove, Worthing and South Chichester, where she presents and produces programmes and documentaries about the city.
Prior to her media career, Angi had worked in the health sector for 13 years in public health, analysis and cancer information roles, and for the last three years has worked alongside her studies as a Medical Laboratory Assistant at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, where she continues to work.
Continuing her thirst for developing new skills, Angi is currently teaching herself AI-assisted animation, and hopes to combine animation with her new Biomedical Science degree to communicate interesting scientific phenomenon.
During her studies, Angi commuted from Brighton to Ipswich, staying with her mum who still lives in the town for a couple of days a week.
“I did lots of work on the train,” she said. “I used to tell people I was going to look after my 90-year-old mum, but really, she looked after me! She would make me amazing breakfasts and packed lunches, so I had the space and time to be able to work and study.”
Angi was joined by her husband Mark and her mum at Monday’s graduation ceremony, and added: “It’s a great feeling to graduate, but I have to work out a new routine now!”
For Angela, the decision to head back into education came as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. She had suffered an illness during the pandemic which dented her confidence, and after returning to her job in the NHS as a clinical administrator on a hybrid working pattern, found she missed the face-to-face rapport.
She studied a Higher Access course in Social Sciences at Suffolk New College in 2022, before enrolling at the university from September 2023.
She said: “I was intrigued by each of the subjects I studied on the Social Sciences course, it informed me about the world I lived in. It gave me my confidence back. I didn’t know where I was going to end up, I thought this is a path and I am going to go down and see where I end up.”
It is not Angela’s first experience studying in Ipswich. She had studied a Theatre Arts course during the university’s days as Suffolk College in the 1990s, as well as a BA (Hons) in Hospitality.
She said: “I have quite a history here, and I just think the university is a jewel in Ipswich’s crown actually. Everywhere has undergone change since the pandemic, and Ipswich is not unique, but I think the university is a big break for Ipswich.”
She soldiered on through difficulties over the last year, which included the death of her brother and her father being hospitalised, finding her dissertation project an anchor to focus on, as well as her role as a Student Ambassador at open days and taster days.
“There are lots of things that university has ingrained in me – it has taught me to be resilient, and I feel empowered. You are learning to appreciate other people’s opinions, it teaches you to debate, and to respect people,” Angela, who lives in Carlton near Saxmundham, said.
Beyond her Master’s, Angela plans to continue her learning with a Level 3 course in counselling and hypnotherapy.
She concluded: “You sometimes doubt yourself, have imposter syndrome, but I was always thinking all I want to do is get up there on the stage, be there in my gown at the finish line, and here I am.”
To find out more about studying Biomedical Science at the University of Suffolk, visit the website here: BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science | University of Suffolk.
More information on the BSc (Hons) Psychology and Sociology and MSc Applications of Psychology courses are available on the website here: BSc (Hons) Psychology and Sociology | University of Suffolkand MSc Applications of Psychology | University of Suffolk.
