A BRAVE student who overcame a debilitating condition to further his education has won a prestigious award.

Nick Kelly, who completed the access to higher education diploma at Worcester Sixth Form College, received one of 15 OCN West Midlands region access to HE awards for 2013 during a ceremony at the University of Worcester.

The 22-year-old was forced to leave school when he developed agoraphobia at the age of 13 and was not able to complete his education.

Seven years on, in May 2012, Mr Kelly started to venture outside again as he managed to overcome his debilitating condition.

He decided to resume his education and, with the support of his family, he enrolled on the access to higher education course at the college.

He has now been accepted to study a computer games programming degree at Staffordshire University and aspires to set up his own games production company in the future, eventually earning enough money to retire to Miami and buy his own golf course.

Mr Kelly said: “When I first started the course it was quite overwhelming and even though I was making some mistakes with my work in the beginning, those mistakes helped me to improve.

“I felt I quickly latched on to what I needed to do to achieve the grades that I was aiming for.

“Another great part about the course is that you meet new people all with different backgrounds. The access course is a big change from high school as everyone can really focus on their work and all the students want to be there.”

Speaking of his award, he said: “I was really quite amazed and never imagined I would win something so significant.

I definitely feel humbled. Others on the course have worked just as hard as I have and all truly deserve an award for their efforts.”

The Droitwich resident thanked his tutors for their support, in particular access course co-ordinator David Keir and access tutor Sally Mills.

He said: “The course has not only enriched my education, but also my social life. I genuinely enjoyed going to college, learning and talking to friends. I would also like to thank my family who have looked after me through all these years and the friends that helped me when I overcame my agoraphobia.”

Certificates were also presented to Mr Kelly’s fellow students who successfully completed the access to higher education diploma for 2013.

College principal Michael Kitcatt said: “I’m delighted for all the students who have successfully completed the access course with us and are now progressing to higher education courses in a whole variety of subjects at many different universities.

“Their determination to return to education and to succeed are an inspiration to us all here at Worcester Sixth Form College.”