AN ABERYSTWYTH student who overcame the odds to attend university is celebrating after winning a UCAS-sponsored bursary to support his education.

Thomas Lee, 22, was among 90 students from disadvantaged backgrounds invited to the House of Lords last week, after being selected by the Helena Kennedy Foundation.

Thomas, who completed his A-levels at The College of Richard Collyer in Horsham, West Sussex, is now in his first year at Aberystwyth University, studying Physical Geography.

Speaking to the Cambrian News, Thomas said he left school in 2010 with only one GCSE after encountering problems at school, before enrolling at a sixth form college in 2012 “to start afresh, ready and determined as ever to succeed and find my true potential”.

“I am now at Aberystwyth University studying physical geography and have so far been averaging marks in the first-class degree range, which I would love to achieve overall in the future once I leave Aberystwyth.

“I come from a low income family. This does present many worries, especially financially when you look at the prospect of going to university as the expense is high.

“However, the bursary eases a lot of the pressure off and helps provide the opportunity for me to come to university, that opens new doors, and firmly helps me of achieving my dreams and create a decent career for myself.”

The London celebration brought together young people from across the UK who have progressed from further education colleges into higher education.

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