For many students, deciding what to do after school can feel uncertain. For Aakirti, the goal was clear: she wanted a career in healthcare. What she needed was the right pathway to get there.

Today, Aakirti is studying Diagnostic Radiography at London South Bank University (LSBU), but her journey began at South Bank Colleges, where she found the support and preparation she needed to progress to university.

“I’m studying Diagnostic Radiography at LSBU now,” Aakirti explains. “Before that, I studied a level three science course at South Bank Colleges.”

Aakirti chose the college while looking for a route into university that would help her reach her career goal.

“At the time, my grades weren’t where they needed to be for the traditional route to university, but I really wanted to study Diagnostic Radiography,” she says. “I started looking for courses that would help me progress to university afterwards, and South Bank Colleges offered exactly that.”

The course she studied provided a clear progression route into higher education. It also helped that the college was close to home, making it easier for her to focus on her studies.

During her time at the college, Aakirti found the learning environment both supportive and encouraging.

“Our class was quite small, so it felt really close-knit,” she says. “The teachers were very friendly and supportive, and they made sure we really understood what we were learning rather than just moving quickly through the topics.”

One lecturer in particular left a lasting impression.

“Charles was one of the teachers who really stood out to me,” she explains. “He made lessons very interactive and always checked that everyone understood the material before moving on.”

His teaching even changed her view of one subject she had previously struggled with.

“I didn’t like physics at all when I was at secondary school,” Aakirti says with a smile. “But the way it was taught at South Bank Colleges made it much clearer and more interesting. That actually helped me a lot because physics is important for the course I’m studying now.”

The programme at South Bank Colleges also introduced Aakirti to topics closely connected to her future degree, including medical imaging. This early exposure helped build her confidence and confirmed that she had chosen the right career path.

“When I started learning about medical imaging at college, it really made me realise that I liked the subject and that this was something I wanted to pursue,” she says.

The college also supported students as they prepared for university applications, including guidance on UCAS and personal statements.

“Towards the end of the course we worked on our UCAS applications and personal statements with support from our teachers,” Aakirti explains. “That really helped when it came to applying for university.”

Today, Aakirti is enjoying life at LSBU and the practical nature of her course.

Diagnostic radiographers play a vital role in healthcare, using imaging technologies such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans and ultrasound to help diagnose and monitor medical conditions.

“It’s a really interesting field,” she says. “You work with different imaging technologies and you’re involved at an important stage of patient care when doctors need images to help diagnose a problem.”

Students on the course also gain experience through placements with the NHS, giving them valuable real-world insight into the profession.

“The transition from college to university was quite smooth,” Aakirti says. “Many of the topics we covered at college, especially the science and medical imaging, are very relevant to what I’m studying now, so that made it much easier to settle in.”

Looking back, she believes her time at South Bank Colleges played a key role in shaping her confidence and academic progress.

“It helped me become much more confident speaking up and asking questions in class,” she says. “The support from the teachers made a big difference.”

For students who may be considering a similar path, Aakirti has a simple message.

“I would definitely recommend South Bank Colleges,” she says. “The teachers are very supportive and they really want you to succeed. If you need help, they’ll always take the time to support you.”

Her journey from college to university is exactly the kind of progression South Bank Colleges aims to support: helping students discover their strengths, develop their confidence and move forward into rewarding careers.

For Aakirti, that journey is only just beginning.