Margaret James has every reason to be clutching her text books proudly after passing a university degree – at the age of 91.
Margaret, from Bathfields Crescent, Whitchurch, has been awarded a BA honours in English literature from the Open University, which she has been studying for six years.
News of the academic success came as an early Christmas present for the former bank clerk, who discovered she had gained a third class degree only last month.
Mrs James studied mostly from home for the qualification and managed to put younger students to shame by handing all her essays in on time and passing all of her exams.
The grandmother-of-three and mother-of-two decided to study for the degree after meeting former lecturer John Betterlein on a visit to Ireland.
He persuaded her to follow up her interest in the subject and study for a degree.
The visit was part of her research into her family tree following the death of husband Richard in 1990.
“English literature is a topic I have always loved and I am delighted to have been awarded a degree, especially at my age,” she said.
“I didn’t find the work particularly difficult, it was harder having to learn how to use a laptop for the first time.
“But it’s been worth it in the end and I look forward to receiving my degree in May.”
Along the way Mrs James raised a few eyebrows, especially when she met her younger course mates at tutorials in Shrewsbury and Telford.
“There was never any discrimination of any kind and they all accepted me as a fellow student – it was wonderful,” she said.
Mrs James, who funded the course herself, says she has no plans to gain her masters degree. She will collect her degree, accompanied by members of her family at a special ceremony in Derby on May 16.
• Can anyone beat Margaret’s record of receiving a degree at 91?
If so, please contact reporter James Pugh on 01743 283327 or email jamespugh@northshropshirechronicle.co.uk
