Mature Students Guide

Should I apply to university?
Not sure if university is the right step? There are lots of factors to consider before taking the plunge.

Find out more

​​​​​​​Choosing a degree
Struggling to narrow down your subject choices? Here are a few important factors to consider.

Find out more

​​​​​​​Choosing a university
With so many universities and higher education colleges in the UK, it can be difficult to decide on just a handful to apply to.

Find out more

Personal statements
This is the most difficult part of the UCAS application form, but don't worry - we'll help you craft that perfect statement.

Find out more

References
Not sure who to ask? We suggest and discuss potential sources for this area of your application.

Find out more

Can I go to university as a mature student?

Yes, of course! Every year, thousands of mature students apply to university to help further their career, and learn new skills and knowledge.

Mature students are those who have decided to return to full time education after a period of time out.

This normally includes students who are over 21 years of age at the beginning of their undergraduate studies, or over 25 years of age at the beginning of their postgraduate studies. O

ver half of mature students are aged between 21 and 24, and around 40% are over 30. Mature students often complete their studies around work or childcare commitments.

How should mature students choose a degree?

When choosing a degree programme, think about:

  • Qualifications and entry requirements - do you or can you meet the university's minimum requirements for entry on to the degree programme?
  • What subject you enjoy most - remember, you will be studying this for the next few years, so make sure you choose something you're enthusiastic about
  • What you are good at - it also helps if your chosen subject is something you are reasonably good at and are likely to be successful in.
  • Other subjects - do your research around all the different subjects available to study at university, as there might be some hidden gems you've never heard of or didn't know you could study at a higher level
  • Course content - does the degree cover all the things you want to learn more about?
  • Assessment methods - is the course assessed mostly by exams, or by coursework and/or other research projects, presentations, etc.
  • Work experience opportunities - does the programme include a chance to gain valuable experience in your subject? This can greatly enhance your CV.
  • Specialisms - is there a good choice of modules that you can specialise in during your second and third years?
  • Career path - think about what you want to do once you've finished your course, and whether your course will help you achieve that
  • University rankings - while this shouldn't be a deciding factor, take a look at the league tables and see what universities are currently best for your chosen subject.

For more information, please see our Mature Students Choosing A Degree guide.

How should mature students choose a university?

When choosing a university as a mature student, try to take into account the following:

  • Location - can you consider moving away from your home town or do you want/need to stay local? Do you want to go somewhere busy in a town or city, or would you prefer a quieter location?
  • Facilities - what are they like and does the university provide everything you need?
  • Size - do you want to attend a large or smaller institution? A crowded environment with big classes/letures might not be for everyone
  • Course content - look at the material the programme covers. Does it include everything you want to learn more about?
  • Open days - if you can, try to go to a few open days at universities you are considering applying to. This will give you a real taste of what it's like there and whether it's a good fit for you.

How should a mature student write a personal statement?

To write a successful personal statement as a mature student, you need to:

  1. Tell the admissions tutors why you want to go back to studying now
  2. Talk about your most recent studies and give evidence to back this up
  3. Show how you have improved your personal development by mentioning your skills and personal traits, and how these will help you in your chosen degree
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of the time commitments of higher education study
  5. Be honest and concise
  6. Write about how your degree course will help you with your future career plans and/or other ambitions.

For more inspiration, please see our mature student personal statement examples.

Do mature students need a reference?

Yes, mature students are required to submit a reference as part of their UCAS application. To get a reference, the best people to approach are:

  • Current or previous employer
  • Current or previous work colleague
  • A tutor from your old school or college
  • An adviser or training provider in a current or previous role.

For more information, please see our mature students reference guide.