Michael Briggs: Computing Foundation Degree - leading to full BSc Computing Degree at University of Greenwich

Prior to joining the College, former British Gas employee Michael had spent the past six years working as an installation engineer until his medical consultant presented him with an ultimatum; find a new career or risk needing a major knee operation. This news acted as the catalyst for Michael’s career change, giving him the push to pursue a subject that he had been interested in since he was a child - computing.

After reaching out to the College, Michael successfully enrolled onto the Computing Foundation Degree at our Bexley Campus in Erith. After two years of hard work and dedication, he completed his degree with a distinction and continued a third year at the University of Greenwich to make it up to a Bachelor of Science, graduating with first class honours.

After realising his passion and talent for computing, Michael secured a £5,000 scholarship with the University of Greenwich and went on to complete a MSc in Data Science. He is now looking into enrolling onto a PhD.

Michael says:

“I love hardware. I’ve been a hardware enthusiast since I was little. Prior to joining london South East Colleges, I had never done the coding side, but artificial intelligence has always interested me.”

“If someone is looking to do computing and they want a career change, I would say a 100 per cent do it. If you don’t take that chance, you’re never going to know. There has been a stigma in our society regarding mid-career changes, but don’t let the hold you back. It’s changing very quickly now. In my class we had a mix of people aged 18 right through to their mid-fifties."

“People should be able to enjoy what they do and upskill. You can get help from student finance - even if you have kids. This career change hasn’t just impacted my life, but my eldest child now wants to go to university and is already teaching himself how to code. My daughter is also leaning towards the same thing.”