Melbourne, Sept. 12 : Ian Thorpe, one of the world’s greatest swimmers, has turned college student by studying for a Bachelor of Arts degree at the Macquarie University.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Thorpe, who dropped out of school at 14 to pursue his swimming, has taken up psychology and linguistics at the university.

The new student was at the Macquarie campus yesterday, hanging out in the coffee shop and attending his lectures and tutorials like any other undergraduate.

Dressed in a white shirt and brown shorts, Thorpe had only one star touch.

"You notice him straight away because of his big designer sunglasses," one campus spy said.

Home-schooled throughout his swimming career, the 25-year-old has launched himself into his Bachelor of Arts, after living it up at sponsor parties during the Beijing Olympics last month.

A university spokeswoman said their new student seemed "excited" and anticipated he would major in psychology after donating his talents to a mental health campaign run through the department.

"He is just trying a few things on for size and seeing what he likes," the spokeswoman said. (ANI)