South West College (SWC) is delighted to announce that former BTEC Applied Science student Laura Simoes, 19, from Dungannon, has been awarded the esteemed JP McManus Scholarship. This highly coveted scholarship, valued at around £20,000, will provide crucial support for Laura as she embarks on her undergraduate studies in Psychology at Queen’s University Belfast.
Laura applied for the prestigious JP McManus Scholarship while studying at SWC’s Dungannon campus, where she completed a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science. She achieved an outstanding result of a triple distinction star, equivalent to three A grades at A Level. Recognised for her exceptional academic performance, dedication, and successful fulfilment of the application criteria, Laura was awarded the scholarship, which provides £5,500 annually throughout her undergraduate programme.
Reflecting on her accomplishment, Laura expressed immense gratitude for this opportunity, stating, “My time at SWC provided me with an amazing stepping stone into my future, and I’m thankful for the excellent teachers who supported and provided me with all the resources I needed to achieve my goals. The scholarship is an absolute blessing, providing financial security so I can focus on my studies and future career. I hope to become a paediatric clinical psychologist one day.”
Laura’s course coordinator at SWC, Ruth Muldoon, praised her commitment and perseverance: “Laura’s dedication and resilience have been an inspiration to everyone at SWC. We are thrilled to see her hard work and passion for Psychology recognised with this prestigious award, and we look forward to following her journey and achievements.”
The JP McManus Scholarship, established by renowned Irish philanthropist JP McManus, is dedicated to supporting high-achieving students from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Offering up to £22,000, the scholarship aims to alleviate financial burdens for students undertaking higher education and is awarded to those completing A Levels, BTEC, or Leaving Certificate qualifications.
For more information on BTEC courses equivalent to three A Levels at South West College, please visit www.swc.ac.uk/courses/school-leaver