Graduating at the NESCol Aberdeen Graduation Ceremony is an achievement that Robert could never have imagined when he was younger. Receiving his HND in Contemporary Art Practice is the icing on the cake after three happy years spent at the College’s City Campus.

Robert, 58, first experienced NESCol when he enrolled in the part-time evening classes, Art for the Amateur and later Art for the Improver.

At the time, he was still working as a vehicle examiner for a local bus company. When the opportunity arose to take early retirement, Robert decided to seize it and focus on his true passion: art.

Robert’s interest in art stretches back to his childhood. Born in Manchester to Aberdonian parents, Robert returned to the Granite City every year to visit family.

Spending time with his grandfather, a signwriter, allowed him to pick up techniques and creative skills that inspired the many drawings he produced of Torry and the surrounding area. After the passing of his father, Robert moved to Aberdeen permanently when he was seventeen.

Robert left school with no formal qualifications and worked in a variety of jobs before joining a bus operator, where he gained NVQ qualifications. He progressed from heavy vehicle mechanic to vehicle examiner, building a successful career that provided financial stability.

However, when the opportunity arose to access part of his private pension early, he realised it was now or never if he wanted to pursue his lifelong passion for art.

Robert enrolled on the Level 6 Art & Design Portfolio Building course, which became a stepping stone to the HNC, and eventually HND in Contemporary Art Practice, culminating in three rewarding years at NESCol.

Robert said, “Being older and also dyslexic, I was pretty nervous about returning to education, but I needn’t have worried. I got on really well with the younger students, and they’ve become friends.

“I also cannot speak highly enough of the lecturers. They were excellent. They taught me so much and were a great source of inspiration.

“They were incredibly supportive and considerate of any challenges I experienced because of my dyslexia and, along with the College’s student support team, made my learning experience stress-free and enjoyable.”

 

One of the highlights of Robert’s time at NESCol was exhibiting in the annual End of Year Show featuring work from Creative Industries students.

Robert curated his own exhibition and was hugely encouraged by the positive response his work received from fellow students, industry guests and members of the public.

Landscape art is a particular favourite of Robert’s, although he is also fascinated by Pop Art, both of which he hopes to develop further when he begins the second year of the BA Fine Art degree at Gray’s School of Art in September 2026.

Robert said, “If you’d told me when I started evening classes that I’d go on to study full-time at NESCol, achieve my HND and progress to a BA degree, I’d never have believed you. I can honestly say that my only regret is not doing it sooner.

“My time at the College was wonderful, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. It was quite bittersweet at the end of the HND because I genuinely felt gutted to be leaving.

“However, I know I’ll keep in touch with David and Malcolm, two of my lecturers, and they’ve even invited me back to speak to future students about my experience.

“Some of my classmates are also progressing to Gray’s, which is another positive for me. I’m really excited to see where the next stage of my art journey takes me.”

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