First-class Portsmouth university graduate was given a 'second chance' by going through clearing

A WOMAN who graduated from a city university with a first-class degree has urged others to consider going through the clearing system if they miss out on their first choice.
By Fiona Callingham
Published 11th Aug 2021, 19:05 BST
Beluah Waritimi, 21, who graduated with a first from the University of PortsmouthBeluah Waritimi, 21, who graduated with a first from the University of Portsmouth
Beluah Waritimi, 21, who graduated with a first from the University of Portsmouth

Keen academic Beulah Waritimi was given a ‘second chance’ by the University of Portsmouth three years ago when she was able to enrol on the international relations with a language BA.

She had studied A-levels in biology, chemistry and Mandarin with the intention of going on to pursue biomedical science.

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However, she found she was no longer as interested in that idea nearer the time – and didn’t quite get the grades needed.

The 21-year-old said: ‘I was on course to study biomedical science but I wasn’t quite sure about it and I’d already started thinking about international relations and at that point I really didn’t know what to do.

‘Then my results didn’t work out for biomedical science so I thought “go for it.”

‘I started calling up loads of universities. I had my family with me all going through the lists. Then I looked up international relations degrees online and found the University of Portsmouth. Not long before their clearing line closed I called them and spoke to a woman. She told me they had a place for me, it was an amazing feeling.’

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After securing her degree this year Beulah, who moved from Nigeria to attend an English boarding school as a child, has been offered a place studying a fully-funded masters degree at Cambridge.

SEE ALSO: This is how students across the Portsmouth area did in their A-level results

She added: ‘I’d never even been to Portsmouth before so I was nervous but the fact I was given a second chance was wonderful. When you don’t get the grades you need sometimes it feels like your world is crumbling, but Portsmouth gave me a chance.

‘Clearing feels like the end of the world, but to those going through it, you’re so much more than your grades. This is a single moment in your life. You will survive and thrive.’

‘I would tell people to go with their heart about what they want to study.

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‘I want to go on to study a PhD and then I’d like to work in women’s and girl’s education back in Nigeria .’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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Related topics:PortsmouthUniversity of PortsmouthCambridge

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