Her first son Dan arrived at the end of Emma’s third year and Josh just eight months ago, but she said today that illness, exhaustion and being a new mum while studying and working as a new GP is not something she would recommend.

Emma transferred to Dundee from Edinburgh University in 2004 after husband Tom took up a research post in Dundee.

Dan arrived at the end of her third year but she was so determined to finish her course after Josh was born and graduate with the rest of her class, that she took just six weeks maternity leave in November before picking up her books again and a full-time GP placement.

“It was quite tough at times. I worked until six days after my due date then after Josh was born I was quite ill. I felt awful leaving him so soon but I took a year off after Dan

was born so I really didn’t want to miss any more of my course.

It was a lonely struggle at times, she admitted. “All my family live in England and although we have lots of really good friends here now, we didn’t know anyone when we moved here.

“There were times when it was particularly grim, especially when I was working and trying to keep up to date with all my course work. But I didn’t want to use my pregnancy or the children as an excuse, so I just had to get on with it.”

Now Dr Fardon, who has a biochemistry degree from London University, a Master of Philosophy from Cambridge and a Batchelor of Medical Science from Edinburgh, will begin the next stage of her medical training at Ninewells Hospital later this year.