Lori Meadows
The University of Oxford is one of the most prestigious universities in the world, attracting students from all walks of life. The university defines a mature student as an applicant aged 21 or older at the start of their course. Oxford University welcomes mature students and offers a range of support services to help them succeed. The application process for mature students is similar to that of younger applicants, but there are some additional considerations for mature students, such as financing options and the potential need for additional qualifications.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of a mature student | A prospective applicant who is "aged 21 or over by the 1st of October in the year in which they hope to come to Cambridge" and has not completed a higher education degree. |
| Application process | The same as for other students, but with a few more complex parts. |
| Academic reference | Required for the UCAS application form. This can be from a teacher, or someone who knows you in an educational, work, or volunteering context. |
| Academic qualifications | A-levels or equivalent qualifications in particular subjects, depending on the chosen course. |
| Scholarships | Crankstart Scholarship for UK residents with a household income of £27,500 or less per year. |
| Additional support | Childcare support, counselling services, and academic support are available. |
| Challenges | Mature students may face different challenges and dilemmas compared to younger students and may need to develop organisational skills and prioritise tasks. |
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What You'll Learn
Application process
The University of Oxford defines a mature student as an applicant who is 21 or older at the start of their course. The application process for mature students is the same as for other students, although some parts of it can be a little more complex.
The University of Oxford receives over 23,000 applications for approximately 3,300 places each year, so competition is intense. The deadline for applications is 15 October. To apply, you will need to submit a UCAS application form, which requires an academic reference. This is usually completed by a school or college teacher. However, mature applicants may find it difficult to find a teacher who can speak to their academic potential. In such cases, Oxford encourages applicants to ask someone who knows them from an educational setting, work context, or volunteering to provide a reference. This person should be able to give specific details of the applicant's academic potential and should not be a friend or relative.
In addition to applying to the university, applicants are required to be a member of one of the many distinctive colleges. You can choose a particular college or make an open application.
Oxford is looking for academic potential, not your abilities at age 18. If you have not done any formal study for longer than three years, it is recommended that you take another qualification to refresh your study skills. You may need A-levels or equivalent qualifications in particular subjects, depending on your chosen course. However, if you have good grades in outdated qualifications, don't let the fear of a lack of formal qualifications hold you back. You can pair your work and life experience with online qualifications to convince the tutorial committee that you can handle the workload.
Mature students may also want to consider financing options, as well as the support services available to them. For example, the Crankstart Scholarship offers support to UK residents with a household income of £27,500 or less who will be studying for their first undergraduate degree. If you are not eligible for this scholarship, you may be eligible for an Oxford Bursary or further assistance from the UK government, such as the Childcare Grant. The University of Oxford also aims to assist mature students with childcare wherever possible.
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Academic requirements
The University of Oxford defines a mature student as someone who is 21 or older at the start of their course. The university cares more about your academic potential than your age or background. The application process is similar for all applicants, but mature students may find certain parts of the process more complex.
As a mature student, you will need to submit an academic reference with your UCAS application form. This is usually completed by a school or college teacher. If you cannot ask a teacher, you should ask someone who knows you in an educational setting, work context, or volunteering capacity and can give specific details of your academic potential.
Oxford requires formal qualifications, such as A-levels, an Access to Higher Education qualification, an Open University course, a foundation degree, or equivalent. These qualifications are not tiered in any meaningful way and are simply required as a refresher in anticipation of the Oxford workload. If you have not done any formal study for longer than three years, it is a good idea to take another qualification to refresh your study skills. You may also need A-levels or equivalent qualifications in particular subjects, depending on your chosen course.
Oxford is looking for academic ability and intellectual curiosity. The university is interested in your academic potential to pursue a degree now, not your abilities at age 18. Your life skills and work/life experience will be considered relevant to your subject of interest.
Mature students can access a range of support services at Oxford, including counselling services and free and confidential student advice services.
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Scholarships and funding
The University of Oxford offers a range of scholarships and funding opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students.
Undergraduate scholarships and funding
If you are a UK resident with an annual household income of £32,500 or less, you may be eligible for the Crankstart Scholarship, which offers a non-repayable bursary of up to £6,090 per year towards study and living costs. The scholarship also provides access to internships, volunteering opportunities, and community events.
Students from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may qualify for Home fee status and student finance from the UK government, making them potentially eligible for an Oxford Bursary. The bursary amount depends on annual household income.
If you have ever been in care or are studying without family support, you can apply for a non-repayable annual bursary of up to £3,500 per year to help with costs.
The Reach Oxford Scholarship is offered to students from low-income countries who cannot study for a degree in their own countries for political, financial, or educational reasons.
Graduate scholarships and funding
The Clarendon Scholarship is offered by the University of Oxford to cover course fees and living expenses for masters or DPhil degrees. The scholarship is awarded based on academic merit, and applicants can indicate their interest by ticking a box during the standard application process.
The Rhodes Scholarship is a competitive scholarship offered to students from a range of countries worldwide.
The General Sir John Monash Scholarship is a highly competitive scholarship that awards up to 20 Australian citizens per year to fund graduate study at an overseas institution. Monash Scholarships are typically worth 70,000 AUD per year for up to three years.
The Cancer Research UK Oxford Centre funds several DPhil students annually. Other topic-specific scholarships include the Christopher Welch Scholarship in Biological Sciences.
The China Oxford Scholarship Fund (COSF) is available for applicants who are nationals of the People's Republic of China and ordinarily reside in the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, or Macau.
The Oxford-Taiwan Graduate Scholarships are available for nationals of the Republic of China who are ordinarily resident in Taiwan, Penhu, Kinmen, or Matsu.
Additional funding considerations
The University of Oxford recommends that prospective students consider funding options as early as possible and look for funding from both the university and external sources. Most Oxford scholarships are awarded between late February and June, and the vast majority are open to new graduate students only. Scholarship application deadlines vary, so it is essential to be aware of the timelines and requirements for each opportunity.
While some scholarships can be secured before submitting an application to the university, others are obtained as part of the admissions process, and some require an existing offer of a place.
It is important to note that attaining funding and securing a scholarship can be challenging, and many graduate students may receive offers of admission but may be unable to take them up due to financial constraints. Therefore, it is crucial to thoroughly research and plan your funding options before applying.
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Childcare and support
Oxford University offers a comprehensive range of childcare options and support for families, as well as help to settle in and make the most of your studies. The University's Childcare Services provide high-quality, accessible, and affordable early-years care for students with children. There are five University nurseries, and University of Oxford places are also available in eight community nurseries located throughout Oxford.
The University's Newcomers' Club is a volunteer-run organisation that helps newly-arrived spouses or partners of graduate students settle in by organising social events in Oxford. The University also offers a range of accommodation options for full-time graduate students, including accommodation for couples and families, with a variety of rooms, flats, and houses in and around Oxford.
Mature students from the UK may be eligible for further assistance from the Government, including the Childcare Grant, a non-repayable grant for students in full-time higher education. There is also some financial support available from the UK government for parents who are in full-time education.
The University Policy on Student Maternity, Extended Paternity and Adoption Leave provides details of the arrangements for students who are about to have or adopt a child. This includes how much leave students are entitled to, access to University facilities, graduate accommodation, and childcare services, and the provision for a flexible return to full-time study. Students are permitted to take leave to attend antenatal and medical appointments, and the University recommends taking a minimum of two weeks of leave immediately after the birth. It may also be possible to extend the duration of your studies if you are finding it difficult to keep up after the birth or adoption of your child.
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Life as a mature student
Mature students at Oxford may have to balance the demands of running a home, working, and/or attending to the needs of a family alongside their academic work. This requires strong organisational skills and a radical reassessment of priorities. It is important to recognise that being a mature student brings special pressures. However, mature students can broaden their perspectives on their subjects by relating them to their own life experiences.
Mature students at Oxford have access to a wide range of support services. Personalised academic support is available, as well as a variety of college and university events and societies, including the opportunity to join a mature student society. The university also provides a range of support services for students experiencing problems, including the Counselling Service and a free and confidential student advice service run by Oxford SU. Childcare Services are also available for students with children.
Financially, mature students may be eligible for an Oxford Bursary, an annual non-repayable bursary to support living costs for first-degree UK students with a household income of up to £50,000. There are also scholarships available for certain courses and students from outside the UK or Republic of Ireland.
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Frequently asked questions
The application process for mature students is the same as for other students. If you will be 21 or older at the start of your course, you will be considered a mature applicant. You will need to meet the admission requirements, which may include A-levels or equivalent qualifications. You will also need to provide an academic reference, which can be from a teacher, work context, or volunteering.
There are various financing options for mature students, including scholarships and bursaries. For example, the Crankstart Scholarship is available to UK residents with a household income of £27,500 or less who are studying for their first undergraduate degree. If you are not eligible for this scholarship, you may be able to receive an Oxford Bursary or other government assistance.
There is a range of support services available for mature students at Oxford University, including academic support, counselling services, and student advice services. There are also opportunities to join mature student societies and access support specifically for mature students through the Senior Combination Room (SCR).
