Yurii’s Journey to University Success

We are delighted to congratulate our former ESOL Advanced student, Yurii Pipskyi, on his remarkable achievement of securing a place at the University of Strathclyde. Yurii, who arrived in Scotland from Ukraine in November 2022 after fleeing the uncertainty and fear of war, has shown extraordinary resilience and determination. His efforts have now culminated in his acceptance to study for an MSc in International Accounting and Finance at the University of Strathclyde.

Yurii’s dream of studying in the UK guided him through the challenging transition of leaving his home country. Reflecting on his journey, he recalls, “It was really scary when we left, but I always dreamed of learning English in the UK and studying Accounting and Finance."

Adjusting to a new life in Scotland presented many hurdles, from learning the language to understanding the local Glaswegian dialect. However, with the support of the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council, Yurii and his family were able to settle into their new home.

Determined to improve his English and pursue his goals, Yurii joined the ESOL Advanced course at the College and said: “I applied to as many language courses as possible, but spots were hard to get. When I saw the post about the ESOL course, I applied immediately.” The programme enhanced his language skills but also built his confidence to thrive in Scotland.

“The course covered practical topics that really helped in daily life and work. Without the support of the teachers and fellow students, I wouldn’t have made it this far,” Yurii reflects.

His hard work paid off when he successfully passed his ESOL exam and received his certificate, which helped secure his place at university. “It was an amazing feeling—I realised all my hard work had brought me one step closer to my dream.”

Now a full-time postgraduate student, Yurii is looking forward to his studies and hopes to one day become a finance manager. His advice to others learning English? "Stay positive, focus on your goals, and keep moving forward step by step."

James Davies, Associate Dean for ESOL and Communities at the College, shared his pride in Yurii’s accomplishments: "Our congratulations to Yurii on securing a Master's place at Strathclyde and his excellent result in Higher ESOL. Yurii's journey demonstrates how ESOL can be a springboard to higher education. We wish him all the best as he continues his academic journey.”

Yurii remains connected to his Ukrainian roots while embracing new opportunities in Scotland. As he works towards completing his Master’s degree, we are confident that his future will be as bright as the determination that has brought him this far.