Of the hundreds of Bristol students who celebrated top A-level results last week, none will be more proud than Grace Yaker Ekall.

She has battled adversity to secure a place at university following her success on a two-year design course at City of Bristol College.

Grace's triple distinction on a BTEC National in fashion and clothing has earned her a place to study for a fashion and textiles degree at the University of the West of England.

The achievement – equivalent to three As at A-level – marks a massive change in fortunes for the former dance teacher and choreographer, who was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago.

Grace, 35, of Rawlinson Gardens, Lockleaze, said: "When I was first ill, it was very difficult. I didn't have the energy to dance and I was struggling to look after my daughter Patricia, who was nine at the time."

Chemotherapy left her exhausted and complications meant she had a total of four operations. She was struggling to fulfil her commitments at the Bristol Dance Centre in Hotwells and the various schools, colleges and universities she taught at, so Grace decided on a career change.

She said: "I had always liked fashion so thought I would try design. Luckily, it went well."

She has achieved the highest possible mark in the diploma – no mean feat given that Grace's first language is French.

"I had the best teachers ever," she said. "They were so inspirational and very supportive when I had to go to hospital. They were just amazing."

It was challenging to balance her health and her daughter's needs but Grace got every assignment in on time and never fell behind with her work.

"Luckily, I had a lot of support from the local authorities and from the Jehovah's Witness community," she added.

She is proud of her achievement and so is Patricia, now 13.

"I knew I was doing well on the course, but never knew I'd get a mark like this," said Grace. "I had surgery just two weeks before our end-of-year fashion show and sitting there watching my designs on the catwalk was a really proud moment for me."

Grace had already used her dance skills to help other patients at Frenchay Hospital with breast cancer, by devising a routine to help them regain mobility in their arms.

More recently, she has applied her talent for fashion to create a dress for herself that disguises the effects of her surgery.

Now she plans to go on to design more clothes suitable for women who have had breasts removed and hopes to have some produced commercially.