“I didn’t even have a GCSE. There’s been lots of hurdles since I first started on that course," said Angella Callam, 55, from Enfield, north London
Date: 22 July 2026
Angella Callam, 55, from Edmonton in Enfield, north London, graduated from her Sports Therapy BSc on 20 July at the Barbican. The grandmother and London Metropolitan University graduate first enrolled on a foundation course four years ago.
“I didn’t even have a GCSE. There’s been lots of hurdles since I first started on that course. We had a death in the family. During my exam period, we lost my son-in-law. I’ve been supporting my daughter and my grandchildren. There were lots of times when I felt like giving up. My partner helped me to persevere and keep going.
“I came from humble beginnings in Jamaica. In my family, I’m the first person in my generation to graduate from university.
“Sometimes I’d get the usual anxieties and compare myself to other students because they were younger and my grades weren’t always where I wanted them to be.”
Angella has worked as a fitness instructor for over 20 years and said she has dreamt of getting a degree for many years. “I wanted to know more about the science behind sports, but I always put off going back to education," she said.
Opening doors to higher education for people who might not otherwise have had the chance is central to London Met's mission. Angella was able to enrol on a foundation course, which acts as a bridge into degree-level study, with her two decades of professional experience in fitness recognised alongside her formal qualifications.
On choosing to study at London Met, Angella said: “It’s a multicultural institution which appealed to me and I liked the location and friendly atmosphere. I felt supported by my lecturers who helped me understand the course. It was a positive experience.”
On celebrating her achievements, she said: “Graduating is something I’ve dreamt about for a long time. And now here I am. It was such an incredible feeling stepping onto that stage and accepting my degree. It was thrilling! I was like 'yes - it’s finally happening!'”
Angella hopes to work in roles where she can help people through rehabilitation, and is looking for jobs in the NHS.
She celebrated graduation with two of her daughters and her grandson as well as her partner Leon Walker. On Angella’s impressive achievements, Leon said: “I’ve been supporting her from the very beginning and there’s been lots of ups and downs. I’m proud of her for everything she has achieved.”
London Met’s Sports Therapy degree course was the world’s first of its kind and was developed in partnership with the Society of Sports Therapists. Students learn to recognise, treat and rehabilitate athletes with injuries or dysfunction.