'Being a mature student is a big, bold jump'

Ms Rudge has now earned a scholarship from the University of Bristol to pursue a Master’s programme

A woman who burnt all her A-Level notes after dropping out of sixth form has graduated from university almost two decades later.

Caroline Rudge, 43, from Upper Hasfield in Cheltenham, had a teenage ambition of studying to be a vet at the University of Bristol which was thwarted by two debilitating bouts of glandular fever in 1998.

After an eclectic career that saw her travel all over the world - the mother-of-two has graduated with a degree in zoology and said she had “made the most of every minute” at the University.

Ms Rudge said: "It’s a big, bold jump to leave a secure job and income to do a degree, but I’m really glad I’ve done it."

"The provision at Bristol for mature students is exceptional," she added.

After leaving school, Ms Rudge spent a decade as an international dressage groom, which included spells at the Athens and Beijing Olympics, tours in Las Vegas and even meeting Queen Margrethe of Denmark in Copenhagen.

Mature student Caroline Rudge said to "be brave" if you're thinking of returning to university

Her love of epic swimming challenges, including a relay of the English Channel, led Ms Rudge to become a swim teacher.

“But it just didn’t scratch my academic itch,” she said.

“I’d got 11 GCSEs but A levels were a complete write-off because I got glandular fever twice. I ceremonially burnt all my notes, the whole thing was awful.”

Eventually, Ms Rudge earned a place on an Access to Higher Education Diploma at Gloucestershire College.

Tragically, her father was diagnosed with terminal cancer just after starting the course.

“I looked after him at home alongside studying,” she said. “I was so determined to get to university and to not let circumstances get the better of me like before, that I ended up sitting a maths exam the day after his funeral.

"I was so scared of failing again.”

'Be brave'

Ms Rudge was accepted to study Zoology at the University of Bristol and started the three-year degree in September 2021.

She said: “A lot of people go to university because that’s what you do, but for me it was a real mission, so I’ve sucked everything out of it that I can."

Ms Rudge had a “lovely day” graduating in front of her husband and two children.

Her message to others thinking of going back to university later in life is to "be brave".

“Do your research and work out your finances. Talk to friends and family and have a really clear vision of what your motivation is and why you’re doing it.”

The graduate has now earned a scholarship from the University of Bristol to pursue a Master’s programme called ‘Science Communication for a Better Planet’.