First class
success for
student after
developing
the skillset
to manage
dyslexia
Q
MU POSTGRADUATE STUDENT,
Annie Fowden, has achieved
significant academic and career
success after continuously learning how
to manage her dyslexia.
Dyslexia is a language based learning
disability that affects around one in 10 people.
The British Dyslexia Association defines
dyslexia as ‘a combination of abilities and
difficulties that affect the learning process
in one or more of reading, spelling and
writing’. People with dyslexia may experience
difficulties with reading, processing, short-
term memory, organisational skills and hearing
or visual perception.
Annie became aware of her dyslexia when
she was just five years old. Throughout her
early education, she struggled with aspects of
learning due to the school’s limited knowledge
about dyslexia and how to manage it. As a
result, she was unsure whether university was
a viable option for her and thought that career
opportunities may be restricted.
However, Annie believes dyslexia is
becoming more widely recognised and is
pleased that greater support is now available
to manage this learning difficulty. In 2012,
Annie secured a place at QMU to study
Events Management.
During her time at QMU, the University’s
Disability Service team quickly identified the
learning challenges Annie was facing, having
supported many other QMU students with
dyslexia in the past. The team carried out a
need assessment and developed an Individual
Learning Plan (ILP) to support Annie’s learning
difficulties.
Annie celebrating her achievement of a
first class honours degree at the QMU
graduation.
20
QMU assigned an external tutor to Annie
to offer her personalised and continued
support throughout her QMU journey. Annie
benefitting from support each academic year,
which included help to develop her writing,
referencing and time management skills. The
QMU Disability Services team also helped
Annie secure funding from the Disabled
Students’ Allowance (DSA) to buy a laptop
with assistive software.
QMYOU / Supporting Students With Disabilities
The positive impact of this continued
support meant that Annie’s academic
performance improved consistently each year.
Her grades increased from Es and Ds in her
first year to As and Bs in her final year. She
graduated with a first class honours degree
from QMU in 2016.
Annie said: “The support I received from
QMU’s Disability Service team has had one
of the biggest and most positive influences
on my experience at QMU. The help I’ve
had has given me a huge confidence boost
and has allowed me to reach my academic
potential, as well as opening doors to new
career opportunities.
“The Disability Service team always made
time for me and made sure I was offered
personalised advice. My advice to other
students with dyslexia at QMU is get out
there and find out about the specialist support
available to you on campus.”
Annie was also one of the first QMU
students to be selected for the new Apex
Hotels and QMU Scholarship Programme.
Apex Hotels and QMU have teamed up
to launch the scheme, which is helping to
bolster career opportunities for hospitality
and events students each academic year.
The move aims to create a new generation
of hospitality leaders who can transform
Scotland’s hospitality industry so that it is a
key player on the world stage.
Annie received a bursary and began her
management apprenticeship with Apex
Hotels in February 2016. The new Scholarship
Programme supported Annie during her final
year of study at QMU and provided her with
paid work experience with Apex Hotels. The
opportunity allowed Annie to gain hands-on
experience across all areas of the business.
Annie has now secured further employment
with Apex Hotels, which is also providing
additional funding to help further her
postgraduate education at QMU. Annie has
enrolled on the University’s new Master of
Public Administration (MPA), which she hopes
to complete in 2017. ❒