skip to main content
Close
  • Students
  • Staff
  • Applicants
  • Job Opportunities
South West College logo
  • SWC
  • Find a course
    • Courses A-Z
    • Subject Areas
    • Higher Education
    • School Leaver (16-18)
    • 14-16 Provision
    • Online Courses
    • Part-Time
    •  
    • Adult Learners (18+)
    • Multiply Programme
    • Skill Up
    •  
    • Apprenticeships
    • Skills for Life
    • Traineeships
    • Mentor Connect
    •  
    • Higher Level Apprenticeships
    • HLA Connect Portal
    • Course Help
    • How to Apply/Enrol
    • Course Fees
    • Qualifications Explained
    •  
    • Social Inclusion
    • Going Places
    • The Rural Economic Accelerator Programme
    • Step Up
    • Workhouse Connect
    • Youthscape+
    This image (Swc 061221 057) is a link that points to the Download a Prospectus page
    View All Prospectuses

    Need Help Applying for a course?

    Contact admissions@swc.ac.uk and a member of our admissions team will get back to you
    How to Apply
    • Student Support
    • Careers Guidance
    • Career Builder
    • Health, Wellbeing & Student Welfare
    • Learning Support
    • Carers
    • Student Finance
    • Student Handbooks
    • Digital Learning
    • Parents & Carers
    • SWC Commitment to Menstrual Equity
    •  
    • Student Life
    • Meet Our Students
    • Term Dates
    • Events
    • Student Blog
    • News
    •  
    • International Study
    • Turing Scheme
    • Accommodation & Transport
    • Visas & Immigration
    • Our Location
    This image (Swc 061221 057) is a link that points to the Student Handbooks page

    Student Handbook

    Download

    Funding Support for Students

    As a student there are a several funding opportunities you can apply to for help with your course related costs.
    More Info
    • Explore Our Campuses
    • Erne Campus
    • Dungannon
    • Omagh
    • Cookstown
    • Technology & Skills
    • Automotive Centre
    • Room Hire
    •  
    • Business Services
    • Employers
    • Skills Focus
    • Innovation Vouchers
    • Business Explorer
    • Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)
    • InnovateUs
    •  
    • Sustainability
    • Sustainable Development
    • Carbon Literacy
    • Get Involved
    • Walking Routes
    • Corporate
    • Policies, Reports and Strategies
    • Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
    • Financial Statements
    • College Development Plan
    • Privacy & Data Protection
    • Governance
    • Publication Scheme
    • Principals Welcome
    • Job Opportunities
    Play video This image (Collage made up of three photos depicting students engaged in photography, art, and IT.) is a link that points to the About page
  • Contact
  • Your List
  • SWC
      • Courses A-Z
      • Subject Areas
      • Higher Education
      • School Leaver (16-18)
      • 14-16 Provision
      • Online Courses
      • Part-Time
      • Apprenticeships
      • Skills for Life
      • Traineeships
      • Mentor Connect
      • Higher Level Apprenticeships
      • HLA Connect Portal
      • Course Help
      • How to Apply/Enrol
      • Course Fees
      • Qualifications Explained
    • Adult Learners (18+)
    • Multiply Programme
    • Skill Up
      • Social Inclusion
      • Going Places
      • The Rural Economic Accelerator Programme
      • Step Up
      • Workhouse Connect
      • Youthscape+
      • Student Support
      • Careers Guidance
      • Career Builder
      • Health, Wellbeing & Student Welfare
      • Learning Support
      • Carers
      • Student Finance
      • Student Handbooks
      • Digital Learning
      • Parents & Carers
      • SWC Commitment to Menstrual Equity
      • Student Life
      • Meet Our Students
      • Term Dates
      • Events
      • Student Blog
      • News
      • International Study
      • Turing Scheme
      • Accommodation & Transport
      • Visas & Immigration
      • Our Location
      • Explore Our Campuses
      • Erne Campus
      • Dungannon
      • Omagh
      • Cookstown
      • Technology & Skills
      • Automotive Centre
      • Room Hire
      • Business Services
      • Employers
      • Skills Focus
      • Innovation Vouchers
      • Business Explorer
      • Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)
      • InnovateUs
      • Sustainability
      • Sustainable Development
      • Carbon Literacy
      • Get Involved
      • Walking Routes
      • Corporate
      • Policies, Reports and Strategies
      • Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
      • Financial Statements
      • College Development Plan
      • Privacy & Data Protection
      • Governance
      • Publication Scheme
      • Principals Welcome
      • Job Opportunities
  • Contact
  • Students
  • Staff
  • Applicants

South West College allows Local Accountant Lauren to Learn on the Job

31 Mar 2021

Lauren McCrory from Omagh, says her time studying ACCA Applied Skills at South West College~(SWC)  has allowed her to gain a practical and theoretical education that has been central to her workplace success. 

 

Lauren initially enrolled to the Higher-Level Apprenticeship Accounting Technicians Ireland course, which she studied for 2 years to obtain the fundamental modules of accounting, before progressing to ACCA. She is now at the final stages of the ACCA Applied Skills exams and hopes to embark on the Strategic Professional exams in the near future. 

 

Throughout her time studying at South West College, Lauren has been employed in accountancy. She says: “Studying with SWC taught me more than what you can learn from a textbook. SWC teaches you independence, resilience, and determination. I believe SWC instils a strong work ethic in young professionals like myself. Notably with the ACCA course, you get out what you put in.” 

 

Lauren’s journey with South West College started when, upon leaving school, she decided that the traditional University route was not for her. She enrolled at South West College and began a summer placement with McElholm & Co, based in Omagh.  

 

Lauren says, “I loved working there so much I stayed for almost 4 years. My boss was highly encouraging of furthering my education, specifically in accountancy, and I was fully supported throughout my studies in SWC. Many of my co-workers there were also studying with ACCA, so it made perfect sense to enrol in the course too.”  

 

After leaving McElholm’s, Lauren joined Frylite in Strabane. She says, “moving from a practice-based area to industry was a massive change for me, but I know it was valuable to make the leap. I feel at the age of 24, with almost 6 years’ experience in the field, it has made my studies more relevant as I have exposure to a range of areas.” 

 

Throughout her time working, Lauren was continuing her academic studies, a balance she believes would not have been possible if she’d chosen to go to university. “I believe had I chosen the university route I would have missed out on an abundance of life experience both personally and professionally. Studying elements of the curriculum you have real life experience and makes it much easier to understand, and vice versa with working on tasks you have already studied. 

 

“I feel extremely lucky that SWC is right on my doorstep. I have had many teachers along the way in the college and each and every one was so helpful in ensuring the success of myself and my classmates. The staff are the main reason we all made it through the tough exams. They keep everyone motivated to accomplish what they set out to do, become qualified. I look forward to finishing my accreditation with SWC and will be eternally grateful for the opportunity.”

Share

Sign up.
Get Qualified.
Succeed.

Subscribe now for hand-picked courses, inspiration and the latest news and offers, straight to your inbox. The details provided will be used to send you relevant information about SWC.

Subscribe now for hand-picked courses, inspiration and the latest news and offers, straight to your inbox. The details provided will be used to send you relevant information about SWC.

graphics-top-left-blue
graphics-top-right-yellow

Footer

Quick Links
  • Track Your Application
  • Vacancies
  • Download a Prospectus
  • Download Our App
  • Contact Us
  • Policies, Reports and Strategies
  • Term Dates
  • Privacy & Data Protection
  • SWC YouTube
  • SWC LinkedIn
  • SWC Instagram
  • SWC Facebook
  • SWC Twitter
Tel: 028 8225 0109
AccessAble Department for the Economy Advance HE
Payments powered by WorldPay
Payments powered by WorldPay
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy & Data Protection
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
South West College © 2025
Green17 - Web design Belfast, Northern Ireland
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy & Data Protection
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
South West College © 2025 Green17 - Web design Belfast, Northern Ireland