At Regent College London (RCL), we’re proud to support learners of all ages in pursuing their academic ambitions. In this article, we highlight the achievements of RCL alumna Marcia Hudson, who graduated in 2024 at age 60 – an inspiring example of lifelong learning in action.
Marcia began her journey as a mature student at RCL in February 2020. At that time, she had already been working in the health and social care field for several years. Recognising the need to enhance her knowledge and update her skill set, she enrolled in the BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care programme.
A new chapter
As an older student, Marcia was initially hesitant about returning to education after being away for so many years. She recalls feeling overwhelmed by new concepts such as critical analysis and referencing. However, with the support of RCL’s School of Health and Sports Science faculty, Marcia quickly adapted and soon flourished in her studies.
“I will always be grateful to my tutors, classmates, and the entire team,” she says. “There were difficult moments, but I could always count on them for help.”
Finding balance
During her three-year undergraduate degree, Marcia served as a Student Representative. Balancing her studies with additional responsibilities was challenging, but she took her role seriously and passionately advocated for her classmates. This experience significantly enhanced her leadership skills.
The relationships Marcia built during this time have proved invaluable in her current role as a Senior Healthcare Support Worker in an intensive care unit, where she takes the initiative to help onboard and motivate new recruits.
However, it is the knowledge she gained during her Health and Social Care degree and a subsequent master’s that has best prepared her for the workplace.
“Everything I do in my job comes from what I learned at RCL,” she states.
An unforgettable moment
Marcia graduated from her bachelor’s programme in 2024, describing it as the “crème de la crème” of her RCL journey.
“At 60 years old, crossing that stage made me feel so proud of myself,” she shares. “My family were behind me, as were my lecturers and classmates. I will never forget it.”
Another milestone will soon follow at RCL’s Summer Graduation 2025, where Marcia will be graduating from her master’s programme with a distinction!
Marcia’s next step is pursuing a PhD in gerontology, the study of ageing. We are incredibly proud of her accomplishments as a mature learner and wish her the very best of luck in her future studies and career.
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