Thureya Roberts didn’t take the traditional route into education, but her journey is nothing short of inspiring.
Now a full-time lecturer teaching biology, psychology, and life sciences at Fife College, she has gone from overcoming childhood trauma to helping students find their own path — with qualifications, confidence, and a powerful story to share.
“I had no qualifications when I first came to college,” she says. “Growing up, I faced a lot of upheaval and didn’t have the chance to settle in school. I was eventually placed in care for my own safety. But when I moved to a children’s home called the Sycamore Project, that’s when everything started to change. For the first time, I believed in myself and what I could achieve.”
Thureya began her studies at Fife College in 2005 with NC Applied Sciences (Level 5), progressing to Level 6, HNC Applied Sciences, and HND Biomedical Sciences in 2010 — taking breaks to raise her children. During this time, she was named The Axis-Shield Applied Sciences Student of the Year, an achievement she hopes inspires students from similar backgrounds.
She went on to graduate with a first-class honours degree in Biomedical Science (Distinction) from the University of Abertay Dundee in 2012, receiving the Institute of Biomedical Science President’s Prize for exceptional academic performance. Her early career included roles in NHS haematology and blood transfusion services, as well as cancer research on osteosarcoma cell trials.
Returning to Fife College as a lecturer, Thureya now teaches across SCQF Levels 5 to 8, including modern apprenticeships and pharmacy training. She has also taught at the School for Health, Science and Technology at St John’s Hospital in Livingston, blending industry expertise with her passion for education.
Her work includes developing two interactive courses for pharmacy programmes (Pharmacotherapeutics and the Human Body 1 and 2), with a third in progress for the Professional Development Award in Pharmacy Services, created in partnership with the NHS.
Alongside her teaching, Thureya completed the Teaching in Colleges Today course (2019), the PDA in Teaching Practice in Scotland’s Colleges (2020), and her TQFE at Master’s level (2021). She will graduate with an MSc Psychology (Conversion) from The Open University in 2025.
After completing her MSc, she chose not to pursue a planned PhD, focusing instead on projects combining her expertise in science and psychology with her passion for helping others. These include creating digital courses on nervous system reset, burnout recovery, and science-backed self-help strategies; writing multiple books; offering empowerment coaching and tutoring; and growing her YouTube channel, which blends science, psychology, and self-help content. Through thureyaroberts.com, she shares free resources, inspiring stories, and practical tools to help others reset, rebuild, and thrive.
Helping Others Grow Beyond Their Trauma
Thureya’s passion for teaching goes hand in hand with her desire to support others, especially those who have experienced adversity like she has.
“I really want young people from difficult backgrounds to know that they’re not stuck,” she says. “With support and a willingness to learn, you can achieve things you never thought possible.”
From a young person in care with no qualifications to an award-winning biomedical scientist, lecturer, coach, and author in progress, Thureya’s journey is a powerful example of perseverance and purpose.
“Fife College helped me take that first step. I was a learner here. Now I’m teaching others. It’s been a full-circle moment which I am so proud of.”