Mature Students
Nearly a third of university students aren't your typical school-leavers and mature students don't have the same needs and interests. They may not want a carefree life of partying. But then again...
a few wise words
A few wise words for mature students and those returning to higher education:
Not all students are fresh out of school or college. There are those who take a year out, and those who take more than a year out — you know, a couple of decades, say.
In fact, nearly a third of students are classified as mature.
That doesn’t mean they wear cardigans and slippers, drink cocoa to help them nod off by ten and advise you not to run with scissors. It simply means they’re at least 21 by the time they start their course. Actually, most mature students are between 21 and 25, but as for the rest, they might be coming back to education at any point in their lives — even after retirement.
Some universities specialise in mature students more than others. At the University of East London, four out of every five students is "mature". Meanwhile, at the Royal Academy of Music, it’s more like one in twenty.
And guess what, this affects the atmosphere. We hardly need to tell you that people generally have a different idea of fun when they’re in their late teens and early twenties from when they find their first grey hair and realise their boobs fall into their armpits when they lie on their backs (and that’s just the guys). Almost every university has ’80s disco nights, but at some it’s retro chic, at others it’s reliving youth.
In some ways, the effect of a lot of mature students is similar to part-timers or local students (many students fall into all three categories). These students have lives and interests outside being a student and so student life as a whole is just that bit less stoked up on enthusiasm. Not necessarily a bad thing, depending on whether you think of student life beyond your course as a pastime or a waste of time.
Not all students are fresh out of school or college. There are those who take a year out, and those who take more than a year out — you know, a couple of decades, say.
In fact, nearly a third of students are classified as mature.
That doesn’t mean they wear cardigans and slippers, drink cocoa to help them nod off by ten and advise you not to run with scissors. It simply means they’re at least 21 by the time they start their course. Actually, most mature students are between 21 and 25, but as for the rest, they might be coming back to education at any point in their lives — even after retirement.
Some universities specialise in mature students more than others. At the University of East London, four out of every five students is "mature". Meanwhile, at the Royal Academy of Music, it’s more like one in twenty.
And guess what, this affects the atmosphere. We hardly need to tell you that people generally have a different idea of fun when they’re in their late teens and early twenties from when they find their first grey hair and realise their boobs fall into their armpits when they lie on their backs (and that’s just the guys). Almost every university has ’80s disco nights, but at some it’s retro chic, at others it’s reliving youth.
In some ways, the effect of a lot of mature students is similar to part-timers or local students (many students fall into all three categories). These students have lives and interests outside being a student and so student life as a whole is just that bit less stoked up on enthusiasm. Not necessarily a bad thing, depending on whether you think of student life beyond your course as a pastime or a waste of time.
what is a 'mature' student?
A mature student isn’t necessarily someone who wears cardigans and shakes their greying head in a responsible way saying, ‘It’s not like it was in my day’. Nor necessarily are they pushing on a bit.
Students can be classified as mature from as young as 21. If you were alive when Frankie said Relax or it was fashionable to wear shoulder pads so wide you could only go through doors sideways, you’re probably old enough to be a mature student. The only generally accepted definition is that mature students are not the same age as conventional students and they are (with a few exceptions) not coming to higher education straight from school.
In the vital statistics panel in the general section of each college profile, we provide figures for the percentage of mature students. That can vary from the single digits to a few universities where 18-year olds are the freaks. Naturally enough, this is one of the best indicators of how well geared up the university may be for mature students. After all, there’s safety in numbers. Or failing that, other people to moan with.
Students can be classified as mature from as young as 21. If you were alive when Frankie said Relax or it was fashionable to wear shoulder pads so wide you could only go through doors sideways, you’re probably old enough to be a mature student. The only generally accepted definition is that mature students are not the same age as conventional students and they are (with a few exceptions) not coming to higher education straight from school.
In the vital statistics panel in the general section of each college profile, we provide figures for the percentage of mature students. That can vary from the single digits to a few universities where 18-year olds are the freaks. Naturally enough, this is one of the best indicators of how well geared up the university may be for mature students. After all, there’s safety in numbers. Or failing that, other people to moan with.
special provisions
If you are returning to education, there are special considerations which vary enormously from one college to another. There’s no need to accept sloppy seconds and just make do when it comes to higher education – there’s enough choice to put your foot down and set an agenda according to your own specific needs.
Most students’ unions (SUs) provide some facilities for mature students such as common rooms, mature student groups and specialised welfare advice. Make a checklist of needs from housing through to entertainment which will make a difference to which college you choose.
Although mature students often have roots and ties which may be an incentive to look no further than the most local college, many will find that special provisions for mature students may make a broader search worthwhile.
Most students’ unions (SUs) provide some facilities for mature students such as common rooms, mature student groups and specialised welfare advice. Make a checklist of needs from housing through to entertainment which will make a difference to which college you choose.
Although mature students often have roots and ties which may be an incentive to look no further than the most local college, many will find that special provisions for mature students may make a broader search worthwhile.
funding
The definition of a ‘mature student’ varies, but it doesn’t necessarily mean someone who wears a cardigan and slippers and drinks a nice cup of cocoa before a sensible bedtime. For the purpose of student finance, ‘mature’ means a first-time undergraduate over the age of 25.
There’s not a great deal of difference in the funding available for mature students and their slightly younger counterparts. Almost any full-time student – mature, youthful or just plain childish – is entitled to the student loan up to the age of 60. Mature students should be eligible for the new maintenance grant and have a good chance of qualifying for extra help from the Access to Learning Fund.
Mature students are automatically classed as being independent, which means your parents’ income doesn’t matter a jot when you are being assessed for loans, grants and fee contributions.
Instead it’s your wonga that counts – and, if applicable, that of your husband, wife, civil partner or same sex partner.
If you’re thinking about going back to studying and becoming a mature student, as a first step you might want to have a look at www.lifelonglearning.co.uk
Remember, if you’re married or an independent student living with a partner, your other half's income will be assessed in the same way as parents’ incomes would be assessed for most students.
There’s not a great deal of difference in the funding available for mature students and their slightly younger counterparts. Almost any full-time student – mature, youthful or just plain childish – is entitled to the student loan up to the age of 60. Mature students should be eligible for the new maintenance grant and have a good chance of qualifying for extra help from the Access to Learning Fund.
Mature students are automatically classed as being independent, which means your parents’ income doesn’t matter a jot when you are being assessed for loans, grants and fee contributions.
Instead it’s your wonga that counts – and, if applicable, that of your husband, wife, civil partner or same sex partner.
If you’re thinking about going back to studying and becoming a mature student, as a first step you might want to have a look at www.lifelonglearning.co.uk
Remember, if you’re married or an independent student living with a partner, your other half's income will be assessed in the same way as parents’ incomes would be assessed for most students.
accommodation
Some colleges provide specialised packages which are centred on people who have not just left the parental home. For example, many offer off-campus self-catering accommodation, others have specific flats for mature students with their partner (usually only if married) and even their children, though it’s rare to find places that can accommodate more than one child per couple. The college will probably also provide house hunting info for those who’d rather go it alone. The Accommodation Officer will be most handy for this – SU’s accommodation help is generally geared mainly to conventional students.
social life
Most entertainments centre around the SU rather than the college. Push gives the low-down on the goings-on. Bear in mind that bars may be full of students who, for the first time, don’t have to prove their age to buy a pint. Discos will be aimed at groovy young things who think Depeche Mode is a setting on their hi-fi (though you can always wow them with your intimate knowledge of 80s pop lyrics on retro night). From gigs to grub, what do you want to do? And does the college you’re looking at provide it? Head here for some more info.
welfare
The fact is that mature students can have problems every bit as serious as younger people and because they’re often different problems — involving, say, getting back into studying, childcare, marital problems, home ownership, benefits claims and so on — they need a different kind of support from other students.
Although many students are aged over 21, many facilities still cater for the 18+ age range. Mature students can feel isolated and so it’s useful if there are others in the same boat and a forum for them to meet. Some SUs provide better support than others and many mature student groups organise their own functions. Under the Welfare section, the university profiles say whether there’s a mature students’ association.
Many universities have made a point of catering for mature students — although that doesn’t necessarily mean that they provide any better for their welfare — but the sheer numbers mean that many of their problems don’t come as such a surprise to welfare advisors.
Many universities have a mature students association, which is a start, and crèches and nurseries are quite common but standards, availability and cost all vary. Some don’t take very young children, some are hugely oversubscribed and some aren’t open for long enough during the day.
Although many students are aged over 21, many facilities still cater for the 18+ age range. Mature students can feel isolated and so it’s useful if there are others in the same boat and a forum for them to meet. Some SUs provide better support than others and many mature student groups organise their own functions. Under the Welfare section, the university profiles say whether there’s a mature students’ association.
Many universities have made a point of catering for mature students — although that doesn’t necessarily mean that they provide any better for their welfare — but the sheer numbers mean that many of their problems don’t come as such a surprise to welfare advisors.
Many universities have a mature students association, which is a start, and crèches and nurseries are quite common but standards, availability and cost all vary. Some don’t take very young children, some are hugely oversubscribed and some aren’t open for long enough during the day.
kids and dependants
See Dependants
childcare provisions
See Dependants
applying after leaving school
See Applying
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