UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 21 FEBRUARY 2020
Birmingham City University has issued an open invitation to heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury to find out more about studying Psychology at the University, once the boxer hangs up his gloves.
Fury, who faces Deontay Wilder in a hotly-anticipated showdown this weekend following a draw in their first match 14 months ago, has openly spoken about an interest in the subject - and told BBC Radio 4 late last year that he would consider studying it at university once he retired from the ring.
Now Birmingham City University wants the self-styled Gypsy King to visit its city centre campus to meet staff and students once the dust has settled on this weekend’s commitments. Fury has spoken openly about his battles with addiction and mental health challenges in the past - and of his desire to overcome these to return to the ring by understanding how the mind works.
Professor Harris Beider, head of the School of Social Sciences at the University, says he would welcome the opportunity to show the boxer that his life experiences to date would give him a unique take on studying the subject at university.
Speaking directly to Fury, he said: "Coming to higher education later in life means you have lived experiences you otherwise wouldn’t have had. Your experiences of mental health challenges, depression and addiction have all contributed to a life experience and perspective, which can enrich your approach to university study."
And Professor Beider says that a difference in age to the more common 18-year-old school leaver student is by no means a barrier to giving higher education a chance, saying, "The diversity of the population here means there will be many that have faced similar challenges to Tyson and that the impact he could make here would allow him to reach those communities."
Anyone interested in studying a range of subjects at Birmingham City University can register for the University's next Open Day on 21 March.