Janice Lozano
A mature student is someone who returns to education later in life, often after taking time to work and gain life experience. In Canada, mature students are generally considered to be over 19, while in the UK, the threshold is 21. Mature students may not have completed high school or achieved a high school diploma, but their life experience is considered when applying for college or university. Mature students often have different requirements to traditional students, and may seek separate accommodation, as well as financial aid to support their studies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A student at a college or university who starts studying there at a later age than usual |
| Age | Over 21 years old at the beginning of their undergraduate studies or over 25 years old at the beginning of their postgraduate studies |
| Qualifications | May have few or no previous qualifications |
| Work experience | Likely to have more work experience than younger students |
| Family | May have family commitments or be travelling with their families |
| Accommodation | May prefer to live in quieter locations away from the noisier parts of a university campus |
| Financial support | May have savings to help self-fund their studies or access grants, scholarships, and bursaries |
| Career progression | May be returning to university to progress their career or change career direction |
| Learning style | May prefer part-time or distance learning |
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What You'll Learn
Mature student definition
A mature student is a term used to refer to anyone going to university or college after a period of time out of full-time education. Mature students are typically over 21 years old at the beginning of their undergraduate studies or over 25 years old at the beginning of their postgraduate studies. However, some universities define mature students as those over 25 years old.
Mature students often balance their studies alongside work or caring responsibilities and may have family commitments, financial barriers, or lack of time and support. They may have few or no previous qualifications and may be taking access courses to gain entry to their desired course. Mature students can have a wide range of cultural, job, and educational backgrounds. They are often motivated to return to education to improve their career prospects, change career direction, or explore a subject they are passionate about.
Mature students may have different accommodation requirements compared to traditional-aged students, as they may be used to their own homes or be travelling with their families. Universities typically offer separate accommodation for mature students, often in quieter locations away from the noisier parts of the campus. Mature students may also have access to various grants, scholarships, and bursaries to support their studies.
Overall, the term "mature student" refers to individuals who return to education after a break and are typically over 21 or 25 years old, depending on the definition used by the specific university. These students often juggle multiple responsibilities and may have diverse backgrounds and motivations for pursuing further education.
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Mature student accommodation
Deciding to go to university is a big step, especially if you are a mature student. Many mature students worry about fitting in with younger students and whether they will be able to find like-minded housemates. However, there are many accommodation options available for mature students.
Firstly, it is a common misconception that university halls are only for younger students. In fact, 46% of students enrolled on a higher education course in 2018/19 were aged 21 or above. Many universities now offer dedicated quiet halls for mature, postgraduate and/or international students. These halls tend to be quieter and are perfect for students who don't want to party all the time. Some universities also offer halls with smaller flats, which means fewer housemates and more privacy.
If you are a mature student with a family, there are also accommodation options available for you. For example, Reading University offers rooms in halls for mature students with room for individuals, couples and families.
If you would prefer to live in private accommodation, there are often flats or corridors dedicated to mature students. Alternatively, you could look into being a residential advisor, which would mean living rent-free in exchange for looking after other students.
When deciding on accommodation, it is important to consider your reasons for going to university. For example, if you are looking to knuckle down and focus on your studies, you may want to choose accommodation that is a short distance from the library.
No matter what type of accommodation you choose, living in student accommodation as a mature student is guaranteed to be an experience you'll never forget.
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Mature student finance
The term 'mature student' usually refers to anyone going to university after a substantial period out of full-time education, typically those over 21 at the beginning of undergraduate studies or over 25 at the start of postgraduate studies. Mature students often balance their studies with work or caring responsibilities and may have greater financial obligations than other students.
There are several finance options available for mature students, including loans, grants, scholarships, and bursaries. Here are some options to consider:
Loans
Student finance is typically means-tested and based on household income. Mature students can apply for student loans to cover tuition fees and living costs, such as food, accommodation, and travel. The amount received depends on factors like the course, study mode, and income. Part-time tuition fee loans are not means-tested, so mature students can apply regardless of their income or employment status.
Grants
Maintenance grants can help with living costs. Students with children may be eligible for additional grants like the Childcare Grant or Parents' Learning Allowance. Other grants are available for adult dependants, disabilities, and single parents.
Scholarships
Many universities offer scholarships to students with exceptional academic prospects. Most adult scholarships accept part-time and full-time students and do not have age restrictions. Scholarships like the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas provide support to single parents pursuing post-secondary education.
Bursaries
Bursaries are another option for mature students. These are typically provided by universities or colleges and can help cover tuition and living expenses.
Railcards
Mature students may be eligible for subsidised travel with a railcard. Those aged 26 and over can apply for the Mature Student railcard, offering discounts on public transport.
Other Options
Mature students with good standing with their lenders can ask about scholarship funding. Some universities offer an older student's allowance at the beginning of a course. Additionally, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) provides access to financial aid, including federal student loans, grants, and work-study opportunities.
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Mature student benefits
A mature student is typically defined as someone who is over 21 at the beginning of their undergraduate studies or over 25 at the start of their postgraduate studies. Mature students often balance their studies alongside work or family responsibilities, and many choose to enter higher education after taking a break from their A-levels or later in life once they have decided on a career path.
There are several benefits to being a mature student, and here are some of them:
Financial support
Mature students can access the same student finance as younger students, and there are also grants, bursaries, and scholarships specifically for mature students. For example, there is a mature student railcard initiative to help with subsidised travel.
Accommodation
Most universities offer separate accommodation for mature students, usually in quieter locations away from the noisier parts of campus. This type of accommodation is also a great way to meet other mature students.
Life experience
Mature students bring a wealth of life experiences to their education, providing valuable insights and a broader context for their studies. They often possess a strong sense of professionalism and have good time management skills from balancing their studies with other commitments.
Career progression
Many mature students choose to return to education to improve their career prospects or change career direction completely. Undertaking a postgraduate programme can provide a whole new skill set and open up different career opportunities.
Individual consideration
Universities will give special and individual consideration to applications from mature students, taking into account their work experience, training, and life experiences.
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Mature student career prospects
Returning to education as a mature student has many benefits, including the opportunity to progress in your current career, learn something new, or change your occupation completely. A postgraduate program could provide you with a new skill set, opening up different career opportunities.
Mature students often have more work experience, which can boost their CV and is highly valued in applications to postgraduate courses. They may also have more savings to help self-fund their studies. Additionally, mature students are more likely to be working in professional and managerial jobs, as well as in the education, health, and legal or social welfare professions.
However, some organisations may have concerns about recruiting an older person. For example, they may worry about the length of their career remaining or their energy levels. Furthermore, some mature graduates have found it difficult to find work after completing their studies, feeling overqualified for certain positions.
To improve your career prospects as a mature student, it is important to research the courses and universities that suit your expertise, experience level, and lifestyle. Additionally, there are various funding options available for mature students, including scholarships, grants, and bursaries, which can help reduce the financial burden of returning to education.
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Frequently asked questions
A mature student is someone who begins their undergraduate degree after the age of 21. In Ontario, Canada, a mature student is someone over the age of 19 who doesn't have a high school diploma or GED.
Mature students often have work experience, which can boost their applications to postgraduate courses. They may also have savings to help self-fund their studies. Mature students may also have a clearer understanding of their interests and what they want to study.
Adjusting to studying and attending classes can take time. Balancing work, social life, and educational pursuits can also be a challenge.
