IT could be the longest degree course in history.
When Maria Etienne began studying for her Open University degree, John Major was Prime Minister, the Queen spoke of her annus horribilis, and to many a compact disc was a back injury.
But now, after 16 years of hard study – interrupted by a few breaks to bring up her children – she has finally graduated with a BA Honours.
Mrs Etienne enrolled on a social science course in February 1992, enjoying regular tutorials from then teacher Wendy Kinnard. But she never quite had time to settle in to life as a student. Fortunately for her, the Open University does not set a time limit, and this May, Mrs Etienne (48) finally graduated at a ceremony in Portsmouth attended by her proud family.
