Each year, our college opens its doors to welcome back former students for an evening of celebration and reflection. The Annual Prize Giving Ceremony offers us not only a chance to honour the remarkable accomplishments our current students but also hear the stories of their first steps into university and their new careers.

This year’s gathering brought together alumni from across the country, returning with stories of their journeys beyond college and a shared appreciation for the foundation they built here. There was a strong sense of community, strengthened by familiar faces and new successes reflecting on their achievements with their MPW tutors.

Our evening was enriched by the presence of guest speaker Ian Smith, Principal of Brooke House College, who offered thought-provoking insights into the power of education and the unifying role of football in communities around the world.

Among the highlights of the night was the presentation of the Creative Arts Award to Amirkooshan Nasr, whose talent and dedication embody the spirit of excellence we strive to nurture in every student.

We caught up with Amir to discuss his experience as a first-year university student and his reflections on his time here at the college.

Congratulations on winning the Creative Arts Award – where are you studying now?
Thanks. I’m in my first year of Architecture at University of West England.

How is university life?
My experience at university has been quite different from what I expected. While the campus is large and there are thousands of students, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the quality of support available. Whether it’s careers advice, mental health resources, or academic help, the university has made these services accessible and helpful. Many of the transferable skills I developed during A-levels have been useful at university. They’ve helped me develop my work more efficiently and with more confidence. I see university as a journey of self-discovery. It’s a chance to not only learn more about yourself, but also to step into a new and unfamiliar world full of opportunities.

You achieved A*AA in Photography, Maths and Art. How did MPW help you achieve this?
With its friendly atmosphere created by the tutors, MPW helped me to hone essential skills that can be useful in university and my future career as well. Personally, I found TAs really helpful; especially this year as they helped me to prepare for my final exams.

What support did you receive to help you into your chosen university course?
My Personal Tutors was always available to help me achieve my academic goals and guide me with the UCAS application. Having a Personal Tutor is really helpful to students as they are there to support you in your journey.