Return To Study

'Mature Student' is the term used by universities and is not simply a description based upon age, 21 or over, but rather one which is applied to people who for one reason or another were did not go into higher education after leaving school.

Every student's decision to come to university is different, none more so than a mature student. We have students who having reached a hiatus in their career and are ready for a career change. Some students are unemployed and see it as a re-training and preparation for the job market. Others have reached a stage in life which allows the time and opportunity to enter higher education for intellectual and personal satisfaction.

The contribution mature students make to the learning environment is significant, with students entering the University from different backgrounds and with many life experiences to draw upon. The mature student is a valued member of the University student body, comprising over 10% of undergraduates.

The University has a number of entry routes available for mature students. Successful completion of Access courses offered at local Further Education Colleges, Open University Foundation Courses, SQA Highers, A Levels, HNC & HND qualifications.

Selection

The achievement of formal qualifications is not the only barometer of a student's potential. Admissions staff will assess the application taking into account skills, experience and abilities as well as commitment and motivation to study. Experience may include knowledge or practice gained from previous work or study, voluntary or community involvement or care responsibilities. Mature students are not expected to present the same entry qualifications as school leavers with the benefit of at least five years secondary education. However, mature students will normally be expected to obtain some recent qualifications after returning to study. This recent evidence of studying enables the admissions selectors to assess students' potential for degree-level studies and also shows evidence of students' appetite for further study. All applications will be dealt with on their individual merits.

Support

Many mature students have described their university experiences as "juggling" or "plate spinning". Keeping all the balls in the air, or if one plate tumbles the others could soon follow. The mature student soon becomes adept at these skills of time management, a balance of domestic with academic life. Prioritising academic work and meeting deadlines, while managing your finances carefully, budgeting for the necessities such as books, accommodation, travel, food and socialising!

We have in place at the University support services such as Academic Skills, Student Advisory Service, the Student Association, Disability Services, the Nursery, the Careers Service, the Mature Students Society and many more. Academic Skills have specific programmes designed to support students returning to study to gain all the skills they need to succeed on their chosen course.

How to Apply

Applications for full time undergraduate degree courses should be made through:

UCAS
Rosehill
New Barn Lane
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire, GL52 3LA
Tel: 0870 1122211
Web: www.ucas.com

The University has its own Access course - 'Introduction to Arts and Social Sciences' - specially designed for students who have been away from education for some time. Successful completion of this course guarantees entry to the full-time MA degree.

The University run its own DUAL School which is a 10 week full- time programme designed to facilitate entry into the University for those without sufficient qualifications.

Further Education Students

Vocational qualifications are offered by students who have progressed from school to FE college and cover all the types of qualifications which will be considered on an individual basis. The most commonly offered are BTEC National Diplomas and SQA Group Awards and HNC/HND. There are a number of articulation agreements in place which allow FE students with particular HNC and HND qualifications admission into Level 1, 2 or 3 of our degree programmes.

Visit our FE student webpage for more information.