Amber Atif Ghani (26)

BSc Psychology

'I was working as a primary school teacher in Pakistan before moving to London just over a year ago. I was encouraged by my husband to join Birkbeck and further my studies.

'I always felt very excited about the prospect of studying again. But it was only when I got to Birkbeck that I realised the other advantages it had to offer, like being surrounded by mature students, whose different life experiences make the learning environment much more stimulating.

'We encourage and push each other to attend classes and keep up with the workload – it's a great support system. It makes you determined, and so you want to be there.'