Digging into her passion: Theodora’s journey to fulfilling a lifelong dream at UWTSD
Theodora Brown, a former dental nurse from Norfolk, is celebrating a major milestone this summer as she graduates from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) with a BA in Ancient Civilisations - fulfilling a childhood dream and setting her sights on further academic ambitions.
After nearly seven years working in dental nursing, the mature student made a bold and life-changing decision to pursue her passion for history and archaeology. “I’ve been fascinated by ancient cultures for as long as I can remember,” she said. “When I came across the Ancient Civilisations course at UWTSD’s Lampeter campus, I knew it was exactly what I was looking for. Personally, this course has helped me fulfil a life-long dream of obtaining a history degree and given me the drive to now obtain a masters.”
Choosing Lampeter came naturally. “I fell in love with the quiet, peaceful setting and the beauty of the Welsh countryside. It was the perfect place to focus on something I’ve always loved.”
Her aim was clear from the outset: to explore the diverse cultures and artefacts of the ancient world through artefact analysis. “What drew me to this degree in particular was its breadth,” she explained. “Unlike other history degrees that focus narrowly on one region or period, this course allowed me to learn about many civilisations across the ancient world.”
Among the highlights of her time at UWTSD were the diverse teaching styles and range of assessments. “The lecturers brought such unique insights into each topic, and I really valued the creative and practical elements of the course. It wasn’t just essay after essay as we were encouraged to think differently and apply our knowledge in varied ways.”
A particularly enriching experience came during her second year, when she spent a semester studying at the University of Bologna in Italy. “That experience was incredible,” she said. “I took modules focused on Near Eastern history - something I wouldn’t have had access to otherwise. I’d encourage any student to take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad; it really broadens your perspective.”
Despite her successes, the journey wasn’t without its challenges. Living with dyspraxia made time management and self-esteem difficult at times. “But I had fantastic support,” she said. “My learning support tutor, Nigel Watkins, was brilliant. He really understood my needs and helped me develop the tools to succeed and feel proud of my work.”
Now, with her degree in hand and her academic confidence at an all-time high, she’s preparing to return to dental nursing while making a permanent home in Wales - a place she’s come to love. But her academic journey isn’t over yet. “I’m hoping to start a part-time master’s in Ancient Civilisations, specialising in religious iconography during the Late Bronze Age across the wider Mediterranean. This course has given me the motivation to keep going.”
For anyone considering studying Ancient Civilisations, her advice is clear: “If you’re passionate about archaeology and ancient history and want to explore a variety of cultures in depth this is absolutely the course for you.”
Further Information
Arwel Lloyd
Principal PR and Communications Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: arwel.lloyd@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07384 467076