Basic Mature Student Questions

Can I study full-time as a mature student like everyone who goes to Uni at 18/19 does...or does it have to be 'part-time'? Yes, full-time

Would I be able to live in the same halls as all the other Undergraduates ages 18/19 in my first year? Yes.

Is my student finacne situation based on my own income and not my parents. For example, if I were to go to Uni now, I would get no grants or buraries or money off etc., I would have to pay the full amount due to my parents' income. As a mature student would I actually be able to recieve these if my own income were low enough i.e. do they means test according to my own personal income? Most likely to be dependent on your parents income. To be classed as independent you need to be aged 25 or have the care of a child or have no living parents.

How much weighting in the application process is given to A-level grades (I have my three grades, AAC, and am re-taking aspects of the C this in Jan and June 2011)? Depends on the uni but they are generally a bit more flexible with mature students.

Reply 2

RoxyLite

- You can indeed study full-time, you have the same opportunities as anyone else.
- Again, yes. They do tend to put the Mature Students together, but you have just as much chance as anyone else in getting a place in halls.
- It will probably be your parents still, do you live at home? Have you been 'independent' for a few years? There are a few factors that can change this, but usually it will still be your parents. Check the student finance website for the criteria.
- Unless the subject is something like Medicine, the official line is that there are no standard quals required for entry for Mature Students. Most Unis will still look for the same grades as for your younger counter parts; but if you have life experience which shows your potential and understanding of the subject, then they can be more flexible with mature students.

:smile:

Reply 3

ilickbatteries

Edzor92

Hey all,

Sorry to bother you with some very basic questions to do with studying as a mature student, but I couldn'ty really find the proper answers out. My current situation is on a gap-year, with no place at Uni as of yet. I heard that yoyu can be classified as a mature student at as little as age 21, so am now considering it. Any help on the following questions would be greatly appriceated:

-Can I study full-time as a mature student like everyone who goes to Uni at 18/19 does...or does it have to be 'part-time'?

You can study full time, yes.

-Would I be able to live in the same halls as all the other Undergraduates ages 18/19 in my first year?

Most universities will just give you a place in the same halls at 18/19 year olds, yes. Some universities have specialist mature student halls, but if you request that you are not put in one of them, you'll probably be in normal halls. You'd have to ask the university.

-Is my student finacne situation based on my own income and not my parents. For example, if I were to go to Uni now, I would get no grants or buraries or money off etc., I would have to pay the full amount due to my parents' income. As a mature student would I actually be able to recieve these if my own income were low enough i.e. do they means test according to my own personal income?

Not sure pal, sorry.

-How much weighting in the application process is given to A-level grades (I have my three grades, AAC, and am re-taking aspects of the C this in Jan and June 2011)?

In what application process? UCAS? Universities will look at your AS grades, references from teachers, FFT predicted grades and what your teachers have predicted you, as well as your personal statement. A lot of weighting is based on your grades, yes. It's no different for a mature student than a non-mature student. -

Thanks!

See the bold text above.

Also, how old are you?

Reply 4

Arturo Bandini

You will be able to study full time just like any other student, and you will be able to live in halls just like any other student. Age is not a factor in either of these.

Whether your loan is income assessed on your parents or your income depends. To be assessed on yours, you have to have been financially independent of your parents for 3 or more years.

Reply 5

Edzor92

Wow, thanks for all the help!

Well, I am 18 at the moment, and had already planned a gap-year, but my deffered entry plan failed when I didn't make my desired course..however I am now strongly considering working/travelling for 3 years instead of one and going in as a mature student.

Oh, and I have another question: Will my degree be the same as all the non-mature students ones? I ask becuase I have been researching it and so far I have just founf something called the 'Access' scheme, but it doesn't appear to be the same as a normal BA / BSc (or so I think?!?), with the classifcations not being 1st, 2:1, 2:2 etc.

Thanks again!

Reply 6

PercyChatsworth

Edzor92

Oh, and I have another question: Will my degree be the same as all the non-mature students ones? I ask becuase I have been researching it and so far I have just founf something called the 'Access' scheme, but it doesn't appear to be the same as a normal BA / BSc (or so I think?!?), with the classifcations not being 1st, 2:1, 2:2 etc.

Sometimes mature students take an Access to Higher Education course which is a 1 year course run by FE colleges and is accepted by many universities instead of A-levels. The degree course taken by mature students and non mature students is exactly the same.

Reply 7

Arturo Bandini

If you study a normal degree, you will finish with a normal degree, just like everyone else doing a normal degree does (Ba/BSc). Degrees are not reserved for people who start as 18/19 year olds.

If you have your A levels you can apply through UCAS and study in exactly the same way as everyone else.

Reply 8

Edzor92

Great, that's what I wanted to hear! Thanks very much for your help everyone, its answered what I need to know.

Reply 9

BigV

Look at the link below for a student finance estimate.... make sure you edit and read carefully the bits about being over or under 25 and living at home with parents. Their income only comes in to play if you are under 25 and have been dependent on your parents for the last 3 years, if you have been working or getting benefits and paying your own living expenses then you are counted as independent and entitled to the full amount regardless.

http://www.studentfinance.direct.gov.uk/portal/page?_pageid=153,4680136&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

Reply 10

Edzor92

Thanks for that! I now know that if I have been paying my own living expenses through work for three years I am financially independent! Cheers!