A pathway to a new life
25 November 2025
Lifelong Learning at Cardiff University provides students with the opportunity to access higher education and transform their lives.
Every year we welcome adult learners who have been away from the classroom for a number of years. Many students decide to access undergraduate degrees using the Pathways to a degree route. Samah and Anastasiia have shared their stories to inspire others to return to education.
Samah Taylor, from Cardiff Bay, always dreamt of becoming a nurse but did not achieve the grades to gain direct entry to study the degree at Cardiff University. Samah graduated in 2025 with a degree in Nursing (Adult) BN after completing the Pathway to Healthcare.
Samah said: “Four years ago, becoming a nurse felt like an impossible goal, as a mature student with financial responsibilities, I needed a route that could work alongside full-time employment. I was introduced to the Pathway, and it was exactly what I needed: accessible evening courses, encouraging lecturers, and a supportive learning environment.
It gradually built my academic confidence and prepared me for the next stage. The support I received with my university application was also invaluable.I have now completed my nursing degree with first class honours, and I am incredibly proud of the journey that started with the Pathway. I am so grateful for the support I received, and I am now starting my first job as a qualified nurse in Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.
Anastasiia Chaikovska also decided to study a Pathway at Lifelong Learning. Anastasiia moved to Pontypridd because of the war in Ukraine.
She enrolled on the Pathway to Healthcare and after completing it has started her degree studies in Diagnostic Radiography.
The Pathway course felt like a bridge — a bridge between who I was and who I hoped to become. It gave me the structure, support, and encouragement I needed to start pursuing my dream of working in healthcare and making a real difference.
Anastasiia needed reassurance that her dream could become a reality, she added:
“When I arrived in the UK through the Homes for Ukraine scheme, my life was on pause — filled with uncertainty, exhaustion, and I was in constant survival mode. I was working full-time, trying to rebuild some kind of normality and taking care of my dogs, but deep down, I still held on to the hope that I could begin something that was truly mine.
“The Pathway became that first step. I didn’t know what to expect, but it gave me more than I ever imagined. The tutors managed to fit so much into such a short period — and yet, we never felt overwhelmed or forgotten. On the contrary, their support, patience, and respect for our personal journeys gave me something I had been missing for a long time: a sense of stability.
“This course brought structure, confidence, and direction back into my life. It reminded me that I’m not just surviving anymore — I’m moving forward again.
“I’m deeply grateful to the entire Lifelong Learning team. You didn’t just teach — you helped me rebuild myself.”
Lifelong Learning provides 15 subject areas to enable learners to access degree studies.