Finding My Confidence at UA92: My Fast Forward Journey 

Sports Media and Communications student, Aubin, shares his journey back into education, from UA92’s Fast Forward course to working towards a career in media. 

I joined the Fast Forward programme at UA92 because I didn’t quite have the UCAS points needed to go straight into university, but I still knew I had the passion and potential to succeed. Fast Forward at UA92 is a free, one‑week course for adults 19+ from all backgrounds.  It focuses on developing the essential skills you need to progress into higher education.

The course allowed me to prove myself and show that I could study at a university level.

Whether it’s improving communication, building critical thinking, understanding student finance, or crafting a strong personal statement, the hands-on workshops and supportive group activities give you a real feel for what studying at UA92 is like. More importantly, they help you build confidence in your own abilities.

Fast Forward also gives you the space to explore your next steps and understand the different pathways into degree‑level study. While it doesn’t guarantee entry to a course, the UA92 team have been really helpful in guiding me through my options and helping me to shape the future I want. It’s perfect for anyone ready to try something new, return to education, or discover a route they didn’t know existed.

When I first joined the programme, I’ll be honest, I was nervous. Stepping out of my comfort zone and showing people what I was capable of felt daunting. But I knew I had to push through. I wanted to prove that it was not just my grades that mattered, but also my determination and drive to go after what I wanted.

Throughout the Fast Forward programme, I worked hard to show that I genuinely deserved the opportunity to study at UA92. Their support, guidance, and belief from the team made a huge difference. It taught me that growth happens when you step into a challenge, even when you feel unsure.

I’m officially a UA92 student, studying for a Sports Media and Communications Cert HE, and I’m thriving. One thing I really appreciate is how supportive the lecturers are. They regularly check in and ask how they can help, creating an environment that feels encouraging rather than overwhelming. Sometimes they even stop for little catch-ups just to see how I’m getting on. It sounds simple, but those moments show that the team genuinely cares about our progress.

Looking ahead, I’m already thinking about life after my degree. My goal is to work in the media industry, especially in marketing, content creation, photography, and videography. I’m drawn to the energy of entertainment spaces, like fashion shoots, concerts, sports games, anywhere I can capture real moments and tell stories through creative visuals. That’s the kind of work that excites me. My course at UA92 is full of hands-on learning and industry insights, which will help me develop the skills I need to do what I love.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned on this journey so far, it’s that stepping out of your comfort zone opens the door to opportunities you never imagined. And UA92 has been the place that helped me realise that.

Interested in getting back into education? Check out our free 1-week Fast Forward course.