Degree of success

Drew Smith, 47, graduated with a BA Hons in archaeological illustration after giving up his career in commercial graphics to study.

The father of three joined the procession of graduates who walked from the college's Regent Circus site to the Wyvern Theatre for the ceremony, before enjoying a buffet reception back at the college.

Drew who has a son aged 23 and twins of 21 a boy and a girl now specialises in creating 3D illustrations of objects, places and people from the past using information found from archaeological sites.

He explained what made him go back to school: "I was working in commercial graphics and it was the sort of business where there was no security and no satisfaction at the end of the day.

"I was expected to knock out just about anything from yoghurt labels to burger wrappers.

"I didn't really feel that I was achieving anything apart from earning a wage.

"I stopped and went into care work instead, working with people who had learning disabilities.

"There were aspects of it that I enjoyed but I had come to a crossroads in my life."

It was thanks to Drew's 50-year-old wife Candy that he found his vocation.

"It was my wife that found the course by chance when she was trawling through the internet looking for things for my oldest son to do.

"It just tallied with my love of history and my background in technical illustration.

"I just felt a deep empathy for it it was really something that came from inside.

"My wife has been amazing. She has really facilitated the whole thing.

"As a the chief executive of a national charity her career allowed her to support me while I was studying," added Drew who lives in Bristol.

There were 200 students who graduated altogether and among the 130 who attended the ceremony, were: 56 students from the BA Hons Art and Design programme; 75 from HND courses and 26 doing the NVQ4 in accounting.

Lesley Griffiths, college vice principal, said: "This is always a very exciting day for us a day when we can feel really proud of the students.

"They are some of the bravest learners in Swindon.

"What's really special about Swindon college is that there's such a variety of courses and of different types of students.

"We are so diverse and so inclusive, catering for people who are just starting to get level one education to people who are doing a masters."

Case study 1: Janine Brown

When Janine Brown became the only member of her family not to have a degree she decided it was about time she got one.

Janine had been working as a needlework and art teacher when she decided to go back to the classroom herself to study for a BA Hons in Drawing for Fine Art Practice.

Currently working as a private tutor, Janine, 50, has a husband, John Brown, 53, a human resources consultant, and two daughters aged 26 and 25.

She said: "I never studied for a degree when I was younger because I took a teaching certificate instead.

"My husband and both my daughters had degrees and I felt the need to study for one myself.

"Especially because I am the teacher. I did an access course, then an A level then did the degree.

"It's been great and I have thoroughly enjoyed myself."

Case study 2: Jill Carter

Jill Carter, 51, hadn't picked up a paintbrush in years when her friend took her along to a fine art access course at the college.

And to her surprise she was instantly hooked. Tutors at the college were bowled over by her natural artistic talent and offered her a place on the course.

Jill, a mother of two, who ran a successful Shiatsu clinic, jumped at the chance.

She completed the course then went on to graduate with a BA Hons in Fine Art. But the story doesn't end there.

Jill whose sons are 26 and 22 and whose husband, Graham, 54, is a construction worker, has been awarded a £9,000 to study for a masters in fine art at Bath University.

She said: "It's totally fantastic. The tutors have been absolutely amazing and the whole experience has been brilliant. The BA course was not just about art it was about living artfully."

Diane Milne