Pete Gartrell – FdA Investigation and Evidence

What made you decide to come to University of Portsmouth to study?

'Having heard one of the University of Portsmouth lecturers speak on courses at work it dawned on me there was also a theoretical side to balance the practical experience I had built up over years of 'doing' my job and so I decided to exchange winter nights stuck in front of the TV for the chance to do something I'd never done before with the added bonus of getting a qualification that I could use at work or elsewhere if I wanted. I checked out courses I could do at several universities but liked the look of the syllabus, set-up and support offered by the UoP ones the most, so I signed up.'

How have you found your course?

'As I'd never studied to degree level before I was apprehensive at first but I found the biggest challenge wasn't academic but my own self discipline in applying myself and managing my own time. I chose the FdA in Investigation and Evidence because I have a genuine interest in the psychology behind investigative interviewing and the course allowed me to explore this without being at all complicated and with the reassurance that I only had to commit to studying for two academic years (14 months!) to complete my qualification. As there was no daunting long term and I could phone or email for assistance whenever I wanted it, the time passed quickly as I could always see the light at the end of the tunnel. In fact, I've since signed up for another two years to do a BSc (Hons)!'

How have you found life at the University?

'Being a distance learner and living three hours drive away from the University, I'm only there for the annual study school in February, for re-induction days or if I receive an invite to take part in focus groups or something similar. What I love about my visits is meeting people from so many different walks of life with so many different reasons for studying and hearing their stories about how and why they started doing exactly what I'm doing. It's also amazing how similar everyone's distance learning studying experiences are and being able to bounce ideas and problems off one another has made me realise I'm not alone out there in having to juggle personal, professional and leisure pursuits with my studying.'