A PROUD Milford Haven woman has picked up her fifth university degree, aged 62.

On Friday, October 14, Stephanie McGrath was awarded three Bachelor of Arts degrees with honours from the Open University.

These latest qualifications - in philosophy, religious studies, and an open degree which included modules on creative writing and children’s literature – bring Stephanie’s total up to five.

She already held degrees in biological sciences from Southampton University, and a Masters of Arts degree in education.

Stephanie, from Hakin, said: “I hadn’t bothered to collect any of my previous awards, it didn’t seem worth it, but I when I finished my last course I thought ‘this time I will go’.

“It was a fantastic day, I had two of my sons and husband there, watching from the balcony.

“We’ve got enough to wallpaper the bathroom now – or at least the toilet!”

Asked why she started studying, she said: “I worked part-time in a pre-school, and my husband often worked away.

“It either this or go nuts doing nothing, so I got out the books and got cracking.

“It was better than going to the pub and drinking!”

She added: “I don’t plan on doing any more, but who knows, I may be tempted back.

“You get addicted to it, and I do miss the studying.”

Stephanie, who is also passionate about drama, theatre and dance, says her next challenge will be the role of Mrs Bedwin in Milford Haven Amateur Dramatic Society’s upcoming production of Oliver.

“I sings ten bars and have about ten lines of dialogue, but it is probably more challenging than studying as everyone can see and hear what you are doing,” she said.