I am thinking of going back to university next year but will be 21 when I start. Will I be a mature student? If so, are there any advantages/disadvantages to this? ie increased fees?
Thanks
2007-03-05 02:04:53 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
I started as a mature student at 22, but I knew someone classified as mature at 21 (It was 20 or 21 at my uni).
There were no extra fees.
no real difference except
1) you could join the mature students union.
2) you had a special mature students tutor (most students were assigned tutor by surname). So your tutor "specialized" in problems mature students could face (slightly more likely to have family commitments, been out of practice for a while academically, etc)
3) you could get admitted more easily (life experience could take the place of good GCSEs and A levels, for example).
The distinction is there to help you.
I didn't really notice the difference, except my taste in music and other aspects of popular culture was slightly different.
2007-03-05 02:37:47 · answer #1 · answered by dude 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
21 and over is the normal age for mature students in UK. Some people say 26 though.
There are no fees advantages to being a mature student (the same arrangements apply as for everyone else) but at some universities you may get some concessions on the entry requirements if you don't meet the normal grades offer.
Disadvantages. Nope. Go for it. Do it. You'll still be a youngster - the youngest people you'll meet are 18 and there's only 3 years difference (and when you're my age you realise there ain't much difference between 18 and 21 when all's said and done!)
2007-03-05 07:41:59 · answer #2 · answered by Si73 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, every university prospectus I have looked at considers 21yrs an over to be a mature student. I went to uni when I was 21 and I was considered a mature student... but was no where near the eldest in any of my lectures. There was no increased fee's for me, and i was eligable for funding from my local education authority (LEA). Advantages for me being that slight bit older was that I had more 'life' experience, and was considered to be more mature because I had worked full time. However you say that you are going back to university, if you have dropped out of uni before this will be considered as a disadvantage. (I know because thats what I did and I got a grilling!). Explain why you believe you will succeed this time around, and let them know your reasons for leaving when you did. Convince them of your ambitions.
2007-03-05 02:28:48 · answer #3 · answered by Georgie M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think in most of the UK instituations officially you are a 'mature student' at over 21 or if you'd be over 25 at graduation, but that makes no difference to fees, accommodation etc. Basically the difference is that a mature student can be accepted at a university without having A levels or having to do a Foundation Year. You can be accepted (particularly on more 'practical' courses like Engineering, Computing, Mechanics, Social work, Nursing, Mental Health Courses etc.) on experience rather than academic achievements. Plus, in my experience no student is ever 'mature'...not even the 60+ year olds I know at Uni lol!
2007-03-05 02:22:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
21 is the age for mature student, this means that you dont need the same qualifications as anyone under 21 and also that you can use work experience rather than qualifications to get in. There is no difference at all to fees. Advantages: loads!! most people on my course are mature students. also mature students tends to always get higher marks
2007-03-05 07:43:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maturity is a physical thing, the brain fuses together at 21, thus you are physically an adult at this age, and thus mature.
However, since universities are academic in nature, they judge mature students to be older than the average student, thus it is an age that is one Degree three/four years after your brain has fused, = 25.
In other words a mature student (aka adult student) in tertiary education (at a university or a college) is normally classified as an (undergraduate) student who is at least 21 years old at the start of their course and usually having been away from school for at least two years.
Funding ends at age 19 in the UK.
2007-03-05 02:13:02 · answer #6 · answered by DAVID C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think there are any hard and fast rules about this. My feeling is that anyone above the typical age for being in college would be considered "mature." So if you figure that the typical college freshman is 18 and add 8 (which would include doctoral students) to that you get 26. So any student older than 26 is a mature student.
2007-03-05 02:27:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I went to uni (business studies) at age 21 and was classed as a mature student.
I didn't have any A-Levels but my work experience was significant enough to get me in.
I had the best time of my life, there were plenty of people my age and older.
Now I have a great job in online media in London which I would never have got without my degree.
I envy you!
2007-03-05 02:14:51 · answer #8 · answered by billy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know from a NHS funding perspective, you are a mature student if you are over 25! At 21 you definetly aren't considered a mature student!!
2007-03-05 02:09:32 · answer #9 · answered by captaincook4 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no hard and fast rule. Some schools have special programs for people who have been out of school for awhile. I don't know of any schools that charge extra fees for older students (I went back to school in my 40s and had no extra fees).
At 21, I doubt that you would be put into any special category. College seniors are older than you are.
2007-03-05 02:11:16 · answer #10 · answered by Ranto 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋