Woman who left school at 15 with no qualifications has graduated as a doctor

A woman who left school at 15 with no qualifications and took her first GCSEs at 35 has graduated as a doctor.

Dr Becs Bradford, 41, has officially received her Medical Degree from the University of Bristol. Becs said: “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. When I was young, I was constantly told that I would be nothing, that I was stupid.

“I was tired of people telling me I couldn’t do things because I was a care leaver. I wanted to prove that people like me deserve good things, that they can get fulfilling, well-paid jobs.” Becs’ family had moved from Coventry to France when her father fell down a ladder and was impaled on a branch, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down – when Becs was just 12.

They lost their family home and Becs ended up in care. Despite this difficult start, Becs worked in France, Germany, Dubai and Australia as a cabin crew, personal trainer and in sales. But she knew something else was in store for her, and when she realized she wanted to be a doctor, she said, “everything just fell into place.”

At 35, he bought GCSE revision books and self-studied to get his maths and science GCSEs. By winning a place on a medical access course, she would drive a six-hour round trip to lessons – all while working three jobs. Becs accepted the course but was devastated when she was rejected from every university she applied to until she received an offer from the University of Bristol.

Despite receiving financial support from the university, Becs still taught gym classes seven days a week and worked 12-hour nursing shifts on weekends. She often woke up at 4am to study – driven by her desire to help people.

Becs recalled, “I had an inner knowing that this is what I needed to do with my life.” Now Dr Bradford uses his life experiences to better understand patients and guides people from “non-traditional backgrounds, like me” to get places at the University of Bristol. Becs said: “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 is possible.

“People along the way will say you can’t, but you have to ignore them. It’s pretty surreal to graduate after all these years! It really feels like a dream come true. I’m proud of myself for not having never given up along the way and I hope my journey can inspire others to follow their hearts in the same way.

“No matter when you get there, never give up on yourself!” Professor Tansy Jessop, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students at the University of Bristol, said the University was extremely proud of the graduating student. Professor Tansy Jessop said: “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!”