Caroline Rudge’s teenage ambition of studying to be a vet at the University of Bristol was thwarted by two debilitating bouts of glandular fever.

But two decades on – and after an eclectic career that saw her travel all over the world - the 43-year-old mother-of-two has “made the most of every minute” at the University.

Caroline said: “It’s a big, bold jump to leave a secure job and income to do a degree. But I’m really glad I’ve done it. The provision at Bristol for mature students is exceptional.”

After leaving school, Caroline spent a decade as an international dressage groom, which included spells at the Athens and Beijing Olympics, tours in Las Vegas and even meeting Queen Margrethe of Denmark in Copenhagen.

Her love of epic swimming challenges, including a relay of the English Channel, led Caroline to become a swim teacher.

“But it just didn’t scratch my academic itch,” she said. “I’d got 11 GCSEs but A levels were a complete write off because I got glandular fever twice. I ceremonially burnt all my notes, the whole thing was awful.”

Eventually, Caroline took the plunge and earned a place on an Access to Higher Education Diploma at Gloucestershire College.

Tragically, her father was diagnosed with terminal cancer just after starting the course.

“I looked after him at home alongside studying,” Caroline said. “I was so determined to get to university and to not let circumstances get the better of me like before, that I ended up sitting a maths exam the day after his funeral. I was so scared of failing again.”

Caroline was accepted to study Zoology at the University of Bristol and started the three-year degree in September 2021. She has not looked back since.

She said: “A lot of people go to university because that’s what you do, but for me it was a real mission, so I’ve sucked everything out of it that I can.

“I’ve done the Bristol PLUS Award [the University’s employability award], I mentor students and I’m on a student panel that advises the University on how to make it more accessible to underrepresented groups.

“Family and friends kept saying ‘what on Earth are you doing’, especially as I have two young kids. But I’ve treated it as a full-time job and I do most of my work after our kids have gone to bed.”

She had a “lovely day” graduating in front of her husband and two children, who were quick to ask Caroline’s lecturers if she had been behaving herself.

And her message to others thinking of going back to university later in life?

“Be brave, do your research and work out your finances. Talk to friends and family and have a really clear vision of what your motivation is and why you’re doing it.”

Caroline has now earned a scholarship from the University of Bristol to pursue a Master’s programme called ‘Science Communication for a Better Planet’.