Mathew Blackmore was knocked out for 10 minutes and suffered several fractures and a bleed to the brain after he collided with a van in 2018.

He was left with extreme fatigue, anxiety and brain fogs. But despite these setbacks and being told at school that he “wasn’t good enough to get out of the bottom class", the dad-of-two has graduated from one of the best universities in the world.

Mathew said: “I used to think ‘what’s the point in doing a degree?’ But having gone through it, I realise that it’s about more than what you learn, it’s the dedication and commitment that you have to give to it.

“I worked for 30 years before going to university and never thought I’d say it, but writing my dissertation was the hardest thing I’ve done. As my lecturer once said: ‘thinking is hard!’”

Mathew did not enjoy school, and despite the intervention of a psychologist and a move from a Bristol comprehensive to a Devon boarding school, he left with four O-Levels (the precursor to GCSEs).

He tried college twice but dropped out and went on to a 30-year career in admin. Outside of work he cycled around 12 hours a week, frequently clocking up several hundred miles in the saddle each month.

Then, on a sunny morning in 2018, everything changed. As a 49-year-old Mathew cycled toward a junction, he collided with a van.

Mathew, from Brislington, Bristol, said: “The last thing I remember was seeing a give way sign, I don’t remember the impact. I was airlifted to Southmead Hospital and was off work for six weeks.

“I fractured my hand, my scapula and my back in several places and I had a bleed to my brain.

“I hadn’t realised the damage that was done and I went back to work too early.

“I ended up rethinking my life and what I wanted to do. I was turning 50 and had this idea of getting a degree.

“Growing up in the ‘80s I didn’t know anyone with a degree, but the idea kept growing in my head.”

Mathew joined the University of Bristol’s 13-week part-time course, Ways into History, run by Dr Richard Stone.

After retiring early due to ill health, Mathew did a full-time, one year foundation course at Bristol. Now, he has graduated from a three-year History BA.

Dr Stone said: “I was so proud watching Matt cross the stage to receive his degree! He's proved how much you can achieve through hard work, passion, and dedication, and that it's never too late to start something new and exciting!”

“I’m really proud to be graduating. I was bottom of my class at school and I’m very much Mr Average in terms of intelligence – and there were loads of intelligent people on my course!” Mathew said.

“Last year, my daughter became the first person in the family to get a degree and now I’m the second.

“My mum and dad came up for the graduation from Exmouth. They were worried about me when I was at school, as before going to boarding school, I was not even down to take any O-Levels. So it’s great to have them here to celebrate, along with my wife and two children, who have given me much encouragement and support since the accident.

“Whenever anyone says ‘I don’t know what to do next’ I say ‘do a degree!’”

Mathew is now considering doing a History Master’s. He mountain bikes regularly.