Matthew Reflects on Success from Studying Sport at SERC

Matthew McArthur, (27) Bangor, studied the Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sport at SERC Bangor Campus, and has since gone on to not only graduate from university, but to be one of the top performing people in his current job. 

Whilst completing his GCSEs at St Columbanus' College in Bangor, he was familiar with the College, as he studied in Bangor campus one day a week as part of his GCSEs. Matthew found SERC suited his style of learning more than school did, and ultimately decided that school was not for him, deciding to enrol at SERC after his GCSEs, to study Sport.    

On his course, Matthew comments, “I enjoyed the variation of topics on the course. There was a lot of practical work and team assignments. We learnt a lot about anatomy and all the different muscles which was interesting. The lecturers treat you like an adult and with a lot of respect - they encourage you to apply your own thinking to the subject material and come to your own conclusions, which made the course particularly enjoyable”.  

On what he did after his course, Matthew comments, “After my SERC course I went on to study at Ulster University – SERC opened the door for me to do that. Initially my plan was never to go to university, but while studying at SERC, I had a eureka moment where I realised that I was good at studying and learning, which made me consider university a lot more seriously while at SERC. At first, I planned on going to university to study Sports Development, but I wanted a degree that would give me lots of different career opportunities, so I decided on Communication, Advertising and Marketing instead. SERC gave me the platform I needed to develop my skills to reach university.” 

“Presently, I work as a Principal Consultant for a global recruitment company called Hays and I’m based in Belfast. Basically, I like to see myself as a Cupid for employers – helping them find the right people with the right skills to take their organisation to the next level, because a business isn’t a business without the people behind it. I started working at Hays as an intern through my university course and fell in love with the work. Three years later and I’m now one of the top performers in the Hays Northern Ireland office.” 

Matthew concludes, “I would absolutely recommend SERC to anyone looking to study. I wouldn’t be the person I am today, or in the position I am today, if it wasn’t for SERC. Studying at SERC helped me build by skills, improve my confidence, and opened the pathway to university for me.” 

Apply now for courses commencing September 2024. Come along to our full-time open evening from 4.00pm – 7.00pm on Thursday 7 March at the Bangor, Downpatrick, Lisburn and Newtownards Campuses.

Visit www.serc.ac.uk to unlock your future #BetterOffAtSERC.