How UA92 Supports Mums in Balancing Careers and Studies

This Women’s History Month, the longstanding debate around whether women can successfully balance motherhood with education and career ambitions is once again in the spotlight.

For three parents at University Academy 92 (UA92), their journeys have taken distinctly different, but equally demanding, paths, raising important questions about how traditional university models could be better designed to suit the needs of mothers.

Rachael Vaughan became a first-time mum just before starting her degree. Whilst many new parents might postpone education, she chose to continue and has since graduated and secured a role in the sports industry that she had long hoped for.

Rachael said: “There were days where it felt overwhelming and I was learning how to be a mum at the same time as having to learn brand new course content.

“Knowing my schedule ahead of time allowed me to plan childcare in advance which made a huge difference.”

Abi Mellor became a mum again during her second year, juggling a newborn and a two-year-old with studying and assessments, alongside the physical and emotional demands of early motherhood.

Abi said: “It definitely wasn’t easy and there’s a lot of pressure on mums to feel like they’re falling short somewhere.

“I don’t think I could have done it if it wasn’t for my tutors, who understood my situation and helped me keep going.”

Donna Mamigonian represents a different but equally common experience, returning to education later in life, after her child had grown older.

Donna said: “For many years, my world revolved around supporting my son, who has Special Educational Needs and is now college-aged.

“When I was made redundant after a 30-year career in law, it felt like a natural moment to pause and finally consider what I wanted for myself.

“UA92 felt like the perfect choice for someone with caregiving responsibilities.”

Their stories reflect a broader conversation around whether women are expected to ‘have it all’ and what that really means in practice.

While access to childcare, financial pressures and inflexible timetables remain significant barriers for many parents, some universities are beginning to rethink traditional models of study.

At UA92, teaching is delivered through a block system, with students studying one subject at a time, alongside a fixed morning or afternoon timetable. Classes are smaller than at many traditional universities, allowing for closer contact between students and lecturers, a factor the mothers say played an important role in helping them stay engaged with their studies.

Sara Prowse, UA92 CEO said, “Motherhood and education don’t sit neatly together in a traditional university structure.

“These stories highlight how much difference flexibility and understanding can make, particularly for women who might otherwise feel that returning to or remaining in education isn’t an option.”

As Women’s History Month prompts renewed discussion around opportunity and choice, the experiences of these three women underline a simple reality. There is no single version of motherhood, and no single timeline for pursuing education or ambition.

Find out more about UA92’s unique model here.