Our Scholars
What distinguishes Uversity's Scholars is their commitment to being transformed and transforming others as a result of the Scholarship and educational experience.
Meet Our Scholars
These brief profiles of Uversity’s Scholars provide an indication of their diverse experiences, locations, and disciplines. They are unified by their inspirational ambition and determination.
Ciara Hicks
Hayden Nightingale
Karen Horan
Michelle Murray
Octavian Visan
Patrick Lynch
Ciara Hicks
Ciara worked in the gaming sector prior to returning to education initially at the Cork College of Commerce. After her degree, Ciara intends to complete a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She eventually wants to “work as a mental health professional in Cork City in the public sector and provide therapies and support to people who need it and improve people’s quality of life.”
Hayden Nightingale
Hayden was motivated to return to education when he gave up his job to move back home to help care for his mother. Knowing that he “wasn’t living up to his potential” and wanted to find a career he had a passion for, he enrolled on Belfast Metropolitan College’s Access Diploma in Mathematics and Computing. After his degree, Hayden may pursue a Master’s in Corporate Governance and hopes to specialise “in the programming development side of the IT industry and more long term work on a self-employed basis and develop my own company.”
Karen Horan
Karen was brought up in a working class community and experienced the difficulties faced by the community in relation to equal justice. By working for Inclusion Ireland she built up skills in information provision. She went onto volunteer as a Citizen Information Officer, where she developed a passionate interest in Law. She recently joined the National Advocacy Service as the National Administrator where she works full-time while completing her degree. Karen intends to use her legal knowledge to give back to the community that has given her so much.
Michelle Murray
Michelle’s passion is for animal welfare, particularly horses. In 2016, she set up a project to support equine health and education with the Kildare Traveller Action group. She subsequently completed a Community Development & Leadership course prior to enrolling on her degree. She recently completed a Level 7 Certificate in Youth Studies at Maynooth University. Her ultimate aim is to set up a mobile equine health unit to help horse owners in disadvantaged and rural communities that struggle to access veterinary care.
Octavian Visan
Octavian worked for many years as a Hotel Receptionist prior to setting up his own tennis equipment business in 2014. The onset of ill health motivated him to further his education and change career direction. He has completed a Level 6 Business Administration course along with extra modules in Maths and Computerised Accounts. His work placement in Cora Systems allowed him to further develop his existing design and communication skills. With his degree, Octavian intends to start a career in Digital Marketing and open his own business in the future.
Patrick Lynch
Due to the onset of a degenerative back disease, Patrick had to cease being a self-employed carpenter. As he is also a musician, Patrick decided to pursue this alternative career path. He hopes to equip himself “with a qualification relevant to a career in music, arts and media” and to continue to develop his own creative ambitions as an artist.
Aaron Caldwell
Queen’s University Belfast PsychologyAaron Caldwell
Queen’s University Belfast
PsychologyAaron recently completed an access course in Social Sciences at Belfast Met and is now enrolled in a BSc Psychology course at Queen’s University. He has worked the past eight years as a mountain leader and ranger in the Mourne Mountains. While he loved working in the outdoors with people, he is sick of the rain and is now working his way towards a job in the field of Psychology.
Adam Bermingham
Athlone Institute of Technology Digital MarketingAdam Bermingham
Athlone Institute of Technology
Digital MarketingAdam was employed in the antiques and furniture trade before joining and running his father’s painting and decorating business. From 2012 to 2018 he established and managed his own hand-painted furniture company. Having just completed an Access course in Athlone Institute of Technology, Adam intends to build on his professional experiences and interest in websites and the internet in his degree. He intends “to work with start-up and service companies as they grow.”
Adina Bocotan
Trinity College Dublin Sociology and Social PolicyAdina Bocotan
Trinity College Dublin
Sociology and Social PolicyHaving worked as healthcare assistant, Adina returned to education in 2017. Since that time she completed a Level Legal Practice and Procedures course in Ballyfermot Training Centre and Trinity College Dublin’s Access Programme. She is particularly interested in the intersection between sociology and economics and intends to continue her volunteering work with St Mark’s Church while completing her degree.
Aishling Tyrrell
Maynooth University LawAishling Tyrrell
Maynooth University
LawAishling made the decision to return to education during the Covid-19 pandemic, completing a Level 5 in Criminology and Psychology. After completing the level 5 with distinctions and being awarded Student of the Year, Aishling decided that she would continue on her educational journey and apply to study law in Maynooth University, in the Bachelor of Law Degree (LLB). Aishling would like to, one day, apply for The King’s Inns and fulfil a childhood dream of studying to become a barrister.
Alan McDonnell
Trinity College Dublin PsychologyAlan McDonnell
Trinity College Dublin
PsychologyAlan re-evaluated his career options during the lockdown and decided to pursue third level education. He recently graduated from the Trinity Access Programme, and is currently enrolled on an honours Bachelor’s degree course studying psychology at Trinity College Dublin. He hopes to turn a life-long fascination with psychology into a rewarding career which will allow him to give back to the community
Aleksandrs Jegorovs
Dublin City University Computer ApplicationsAleksandrs Jegorovs
Dublin City University
Computer ApplicationsTwo years ago Aleksandrs began learning computer programming on his own. He then completed a Software Development course in Cavan Institute. His dream is to become a software developer because a “programmer’s job is very creative … At the same time the profession has great social value.” After graduation, he would like to work in a large company on projects that millions of people worldwide would use in their everyday lives and would benefit society.
Alessa Varanda
University College Dublin Biomedical, Health and Life SciencesAlessa Varanda
University College Dublin
Biomedical, Health and Life SciencesAfter spending several years on temporary office roles without a career ladder, Alessa knew it was time to return to education and fulfil her childhood dream of becoming a Scientist. In 2018, she took the first step by enrolling on Maynooth University’s Certificate in Science for mature students. In 2020, Alessa enrolled on the General Science degree at UCD, focusing on the Biological, Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences stream. Alessa’s main interest is in the intersection of Neuroscience, Psychology and Technology, applied to the research of Consciousness, Mental Health, Cognition and Behaviour. Her end goal is to become a researcher in neuropsychiatric disorders while engaging in mental health promotion or working as a mental health therapist. After completing her BSc (Hons) degree in the summer of 2024, Alessa was offered a place on the PSI accredited Higher Diploma in Psychology at UCD.
Alex Kaoma
Queen’s University Belfast Biomedical SciencesAlex Kaoma
Queen’s University Belfast
Biomedical SciencesAlex worked in sales and digital marketing for 5 years but always had a passion for science. In 2018, Alex returned to education by enrolling on Belfast Metropolitan College’s Access to University via Biomedical Sciences Course. From his interest in fitness and research into how food affects the body, Alex developed an interest in gene expression and how it can be influenced by environmental factors. Alex intends to work as a geneticist with the National Health Service once he graduates.
The Scholarships
Uversity advertises and awards Higher Education Scholarships to Adult Learners to enrol on a Bachelor’s Degree for the first time