Introduction

Universities are not just for school-leavers. Every year, thousands of mature students who have spent a number of years outside of education, choose to develop their lives and careers by going into HE. Royal Holloway has a long tradition of welcoming mature students and we recognise that the experiences and expectations of higher education of mature students might be somewhat different to those who have progressed on to University immediately after leaving school.

A mature student is officially anyone aged 21 and over. If you are considering becoming a mature student, or are already studying here at Royal Holloway, we hope that you will find this part of our website of real use, as well as a gateway to any further information that you might need.

Although there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ mature student there are a range of experiences and concerns shared by many mature students. Typically, mature students have commitments to work and family that younger students do not have and they have to balance with studies. Having time for study, and financial concerns, are important issues for many mature students. They may also be uncertain about what will be expected of them academically and whether they will cope with study.

Mature students are often clearer on their motivation for going to University than younger students, and this can help when things get tough. Many mature students return to study after time in the work place or raising a family. You may wish to go to University for pleasure or for career reasons, to satisfy a lifetime ambition, or through a sense of unfinished business. Some mature students may never have dreamed of studying at a higher education level until recently having refreshed or acquired new skills on, for example, an Access to Higher Education Course.

Many mature students do not follow ‘traditional’ routes in to Higher Education. Those mature students not possessing the normal entry requirements for undergraduate programmes at Royal Holloway, or who have been away from education for a number of years, are sometimes encouraged to take an Access to Higher Education Course.

Click here to download a copy of the latest newsletter for mature students, re-connect