THERE IS no age barrier on students at St Andrews and the proof was on show yesterday when 82-year-old Elma Cheetham became the oldest person on record to graduate from the university.

The local pensioner was awarded a general Master of Arts award after completing a part-time evening degree course over five years.

When the university was established in the 15th century, a typical student was aged 13, but a delighted Elma has demonstrated that you are never too old to learn and is a stunning example of those who today expunge the benefits of lifelong learning.

Having left school in 1938 with the qualifications and ability to progress to university, but without the resources to do so, Elma, over 60 years later, was one of the first students to apply to enrol on the part-time evening degree programme when it was launched by St Andrews University in 2000.

She started from scratch, with no credits, and studied a range of subjects from philosophy, history and divinity to business economics, IT and human biology.

Describing herself as “the one with white hair and a stick,” she said yesterday that she “never felt out of it,” at university—even when she was forced to take time off after breaking her hip while leaving a lecture.

“It’s been a marvellous opportunity for me.

“I was always doing it for my own satisfaction, to prove that I could do it but, on top of everything I have learnt, I’ve made some wonderful new friends, both students and tutors.

“The co-operation and kindness I have experienced from fellow students and staff has been great.”

So, what next for Elma? “A gap year, of course.”