At South Bank Colleges, we pride ourselves on supporting students from all walks of life as they pursue their educational goals. Sunil Thaker, a former fashion executive, is a perfect example of how determination, the right resources, and personalised support can lead to incredible achievements. Below, Sunil shares his inspiring journey from the fashion industry to the academic world, culminating in an offer to pursue a PhD in Counselling Psychology.

I am a former fashion executive who developed myself into a certified executive coach and diversity lead facilitator. My goal was to look into further education as a mature student so that I could use my abilities to better serve those around me. Having just completed my BPS accredited Masters in Fashion Psychology at the London College of Fashion; I was interested in going even further with my education and considered completing a PhD. After searching through potential options, I looked into various universities offering a PhD in Counselling Psychology. Along with related experience, most of the programs required me to have completed (at minimum) a certified Level 2 counselling course… this brought me to Southbank Colleges and its course offerings.

I have to say that their offering of this Level 2 certified course was run extremely well. I am neurodiverse (dyslexic) and upon contacting the friendly and helpful online learning coordinator (Martine Harrison), I was offered reasonable adjustments along with all the assistance I required to set myself up and thrive with the course content. In addition, I was matched up with a wonderful course tutor (Sheila Mahabir) who not only checked my work in each unit, but she challenged me to push harder and deliver more than the course required. The support I got from the team at South Bank Colleges was super helpful and prepared me for the PhD interview I would eventually find myself in. I am happy to report that the confidence I gained through this course has got me excited for what is to come… as that PhD interview turned into an offer to complete a doctorate in counselling psychology, which I proudly accepted.

Sunil's journey from a successful career in fashion to pursuing a PhD in Counselling Psychology is a testament to the transformative power of education and the unwavering support provided by South Bank Colleges. His experience underscores the importance of accessible and inclusive learning environments that cater to the unique needs of every student.

We are thrilled to have been a part of Sunil's educational journey and wish him continued success in his academic and professional endeavours!