Georgia Houghton is 'still in disbelief' after receiving the chance to pursue her dreams with a scholarship at one of the world's best universities.

The 25-year-old will study for a Master's Degree of Science in Clinical Embryology at the University of Oxford.

She says it is amazing as the field develops through technological advances and believes it is an exciting time to begin her career.

"I have experienced first-hand the emotional challenges that fertility treatment entails, and it would be a privilege to be able to fulfil my ambition to help people trying to conceive.

"If the opportunity arose, I would love to return to my home in Jersey and help local patients."

Oxford will cover her tuition fees of £33,970, for the 12-month course that begins in October.

Georgia has been fascinated by fertility and reproductive health since her A-Levels and graduated from the University of Kent with a degree in Biology.

However, upon arriving home to the island, she realised she could not follow her ambitions of working in reproductive science and got a job in finance.

Despite this, the 25-year-old did not give up her dream and contacted the Assisted Reproductive Unit to see if there were any opportunities.

This is when she first met Professor Enda McVeigh.

Georgia with the ARU team.

Within the following months, a position became available as an administration support officer and Georgia was recruited.

The small team huddled around her, and nurses Janet Hodges and Corrinne Purdy helped her to advance her career by offering her opportunities she would not have had in her role if she worked in the UK.

Georgia says she has had huge amounts of patient contact and has learned so much.

"I have been incredibly fortunate to work in ARU alongside an amazing team.

"I have had the opportunity to shadow in scans, and have been involved in conversations regarding patient care since I joined.

"As we’re so small in Jersey, we can offer a personal service and are able to get to know our patients whilst they undergo their treatment."

However, despite loving her job, Georgia realised it was not quite what she wanted to do.

The 25-year-old wants to work in the clinical side of reproduction and become an embryologist.

Professor Enda McVeigh suggested she should apply for the MSc in Clinical Embryology course at Oxford, currently, the third-best university in the world and second in the UK.

The young islander says she owes her opportunity to the ARU team and is very grateful.

"Professor McVeigh encouraged me, pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me the confidence to apply."

Professor McVeigh says:

"Georgia’s acceptance and scholarship to Oxford is a testament to her exceptional talent, dedication, and perseverance. This incredible achievement I am sure will mark the beginning of a bright and promising future."