Craig Evetts and Ashley Anderson have caught the business studies bug.

The duo have graduated with BA (Honours) degrees in Human Resource Management (HRM), and both have returned to Teesside to enrol for Masters degrees in Business.

Ashley, 27, of Marske, east Cleveland, came top of the HRM course by achieving a First Class degree and has also been awarded the Tees Valley Branch CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Student) of the Year Prize.

Before she returned to education, Ashley worked as a manager and an area manager for a retail company.

She said: "I was able to bring my previous work experience to the course, which was strengthened through theoretical understanding."

Craig, 23, from Redcar, also east Cleveland, came to the university after studying A-levels in law and psychology, a GNVQ in Advanced Business, plus finance and accountancy qualifications, all from Redcar and Cleveland College.

Craig said: "Not many universities offered a straight HRM degree, and I liked the course's practical side.

"You get a real idea of what your job will involve in the future. The practical work included a negotiation exercise between management and trade unions.

I have decided to stay on for a Masters degree, so I can build on what I've already learnt and aim for general management.