By Robyn Bainbridge
An adult nursing student whose course has given her ‘insight into another world’ and a computer science undergraduate who ‘feels part of a worldwide project’ are this year’s winners of the UCAS/The Times Love Learning competition.
Molly Case, from the University of Greenwich, wrote an emotional essay about discovering her degree and supporting people in their most vulnerable times. The course turned out to be the ‘final part’ of Molly, ‘a cut-out piece of land that had been drifting somewhere for 24 years, came and slotted neatly into place’.
University of St Andrews student, James Montgomery, won the short video prize by using stop-motion animation of an onion being sliced and then reforming to explain splitting problems into manageable layers in the world of programming.
Around 2,500 current students entered the competition that challenged them to write a 500 word essay or produce a 30 second video that shows how they have been captivated by their course.
Mary Curnock Cook, Chief Executive of UCAS said: “The second year of our Love Learning competition has given more students the chance to proclaim an unbridled passion for their subject.
“The video category brought a new element to this year’s competition. We’ve had some stunningly original films submitted, especially James’ piece that uses an onion to illustrate the complexity of computer science.
“Anyone who reads Molly’s winning essay will be hard pressed not to give deep thought to the inspiring work that nurses do every single day. And her obvious love of literature adds another dimension to her transformation story.
“Congratulations to Molly, James and our runners up on their entries which capture powerfully the sense of self creation and expansion that is the essence of higher education.”
Molly and James have each won £3,000 and will also be invited to spend a day at The Times office in London. Three runners up in each category won £1,000 plus a year’s subscription to The Times.