I was homeless at 12 and didn’t sit my GCSEs until age 35 – now I’m a qualified doctor

A care leaver who faced the challenge of sitting her first GCSE at the age of 35 has triumphantly graduated as a doctor.

Becs Bradford, who left school at 15 without any qualifications, never abandoned her desire to contribute positively to society.

Now at 41 years old, Dr. Bradford boasts a medicine degree from the prestigious University of Bristol.

Read more: I used my life savings to open a café aged 26 – now I’m at risk of closing down

Embodying determination, she expressed: “I don’t know if I’m just a little delusional but I really believe that if your heart is in it, you can 100% do the crazy things you’ve always dreamed of.”

For Dr. Bradford, overcoming doubt was part of the journey, recalling times when she was labeled inadequate: “When I was young I was constantly told I would amount to nothing, that I was stupid.”

Fueled by a desire to defy limitations often imposed on individuals like her, she stated firmly: “I got sick of people telling me I couldn’t do things because I was a care leaver. I wanted to prove that people like me do deserve good things, that they can get jobs that are fulfilling and well paid.”

Dr. Bradford’s tale is also marked by personal trials; her family relocated from Coventry to France after a tragic accident that rendered her father paralyzed from the neck down.

After becoming homeless when she was merely 12, Dr. Bradford found herself in care.

Nevertheless, her international aspirations were undimmed; she gained various experiences in countries such as France, Germany, Dubai, and Australia, undertaking roles from cabin crew to sales.

Yet, she sensed there was another calling for her, and the moment she discerned a career in medicine was her true path, “everything just fell into place”.

Undeterred by academic hurdles, she independently studied for her maths and science GCSEs at 35, subsequently embarked on a challenging daily journey for an access to medicine course all while maintaining three jobs.

She excelled in her course but was left heartbroken when she faced rejection from every university she applied to that is until the University of Bristol came through with an offer.

Even with financial aid from the university, she still led gym classes every day and put in 12-hour shifts as an assistant nurse on weekends. Her mornings would start at 4am for study sessions, fueled by a relentless drive to make a difference in people’s lives.

“I just had an inner knowing that this is what I’m meant to do with my life,” she reflected.

Now, Dr Bradford draws on her own journey to empathize with patients and guide individuals from “non-traditional backgrounds like me” towards securing a place at the University of Bristol.

“I want to be a role model for people like me. I want to show them that you are worthy and that it doesn’t matter where you come from, that it can be done,” she expressed.

“People along the way will say it can’t, but you have to ignore them.”

“It feels quite surreal to be graduating after all these years.”

“It really does feel like a dream come true. I’m proud of myself for never giving up along the way and I hope my journey can inspire others to follow their hearts in the same way.”

“It doesn’t matter when you get there, never give up on yourself.”

Professor Tansy Jessop, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students, commented: “Becs has achieved so much, and so often against the odds.”

“Becs is not only inspirational, but her story shows the transformative power of education. Becs, your university is proud of you.”

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