Will I be too old?

My dad thinks that I’ll be too old to start uni at 21- is it? My other sister started uni at 28 and my family moaned about her starting at that age.

I’ve been to uni for a year but left because I didn’t like the course. I’ll start at 21 and finish at 24. Is that old??

Thanks

Reply 1

fizzyizzy05

6

Original post by Anonymous

My dad thinks that I’ll be too old to start uni at 21- is it? My other sister started uni at 28 and my family moaned about her starting at that age.

I’ve been to uni for a year but left because I didn’t like the course. I’ll start at 21 and finish at 24. Is that old??

Thanks

No, really you can start at any age it doesn't matter. There'll be a lot of people that start later, often later than you. I really wouldn't think much of it as long as it's what you want to do.

Reply 2

alevelstudent090

17

hi, nooo it isn't old :smile:

ill be 21 when entering uni so dont worry xx

Reply 3

Anonymous #1

OP

Original post by fizzyizzy05

No, really you can start at any age it doesn't matter. There'll be a lot of people that start later, often later than you. I really wouldn't think much of it as long as it's what you want to do.

Yeah, on my last course there was a 32 year old, 22 year old etc. that had just started. But my family are putting me off! They’re old fashioned tbh.

Reply 4

Anonymous #1

OP

Original post by alevelstudent090

hi, nooo it isn't old :smile:

ill be 21 when entering uni so dont worry xx

Oh nice, what are you going to study?

Reply 5

alevelstudent090

17

Original post by Anonymous

Oh nice, what are you going to study?

diagnostic radiography. you???

Original post by Anonymous

My dad thinks that I’ll be too old to start uni at 21- is it? My other sister started uni at 28 and my family moaned about her starting at that age.

I’ve been to uni for a year but left because I didn’t like the course. I’ll start at 21 and finish at 24. Is that old??

Thanks

Hi there,
You're definitely not alone in starting uni later. I started when I was 20 and really enjoyed my experience. If you've found a course that you're passionate about pursuing then go for it! Time will pass regardless and you may as well spend that time doing a degree you enjoy, meeting new people and discovering new interests.

Hope this helps!

- Sophie

Reply 7

University of Salford Student Rep

Official Rep

9

Original post by Anonymous

My dad thinks that I’ll be too old to start uni at 21- is it? My other sister started uni at 28 and my family moaned about her starting at that age.

I’ve been to uni for a year but left because I didn’t like the course. I’ll start at 21 and finish at 24. Is that old??

Thanks

Hello @Anonymous,

21 is definitely not to old to start your University experience, at the end of the day it is your journey to go on and if and when you find a course or University you are excited about don't let your age hold you back. University is not just the next step straight out of college, it is for anyone who wishes to attend.

Hope this helps

Matthew
University of Salford Rep

Original post by Anonymous

My dad thinks that I’ll be too old to start uni at 21- is it? My other sister started uni at 28 and my family moaned about her starting at that age.

I’ve been to uni for a year but left because I didn’t like the course. I’ll start at 21 and finish at 24. Is that old??

Thanks

Hi there!
21 definitely isn't too old to be starting uni! When I started on my course, we were a whole range from ages from 19-35 so try not to worry! We never even really noticed the age gap :smile:

. I'll also be 25 when I graduate and I've never really noticed a difference compared to my friends who went straight into university at 18 - lots of people have completely different pathways!

I hope this helps!
Rebecca - 4th Year UCLan

Reply 9

Anonymous #1

OP

Original post by alevelstudent090

diagnostic radiography. you???

Oh cool, that’ll be such a rewarding degree! I was torn between being a nurse but going for Interior Architecture bc of my mainly art background :smile:

Reply 10

Anonymous #1

OP

Original post by UCLan Student

Hi there!
21 definitely isn't too old to be starting uni! When I started on my course, we were a whole range from ages from 19-35 so try not to worry! We never even really noticed the age gap :smile:

. I'll also be 25 when I graduate and I've never really noticed a difference compared to my friends who went straight into university at 18 - lots of people have completely different pathways!

I hope this helps!
Rebecca - 4th Year UCLan

Thank you for the reassurance! I was just in my head about it I think! Had some comments from older family members…that never went to uni but don’t blame them due to old fashioned stigmas about mature students :smile:

I went to uni at 25 with a group primarily 17-24. Then did my masters at 29 with a cohort of mostly 21-22yos. If you don't make a big deal of your age the rest of the class won't either. My age didn't impact my social life - I got along with the majority of my peers and was socialising with people after class most days/nights of the week.

I've a graduate job at a company I love working for. I wouldn't be here if I hadn't decided I wanted a career switch in my mid-20s.

(edited 9 months ago)

Reply 12

Craig_93

7

Not in the slightest mate. I changed A-levels, which meant I had a year extra, went to uni straight afterwards just coming up to 20. Loads of stuff happened at home which I won't go into. I also wasn't enjoying where I was so I dropped out.

Luckily you're allowed a year where you drop out, 4 years worth of funding, so I went back at... just short of 23? Had the best 3 years of my life, met a partner for a few years.

Now I am 29 coming up 30 and about to start my Masters. Would've gone straight on to do it but it's been a bloody hard journey the years in between.

Don't worry about your age. You won't feel left out and if anyone tries to make you feel left out for a couple years difference they're just one of those idiots who'll always try and find fault in you regardless. Who find fault in others all the time.

Just try your best to do a masters or grad job afterwards ASAP. Not because it's wrong to put of doing one, but cos the years can easily fly by and you want to aim to put yourself in to as good a position as possible.

But no shame in taking a year or two between to save if needs be.

Best of luck mate!

Reply 13

Craig_93

7

Original post by Anonymous

Thank you for the reassurance! I was just in my head about it I think! Had some comments from older family members…that never went to uni but don’t blame them due to old fashioned stigmas about mature students :smile:

Don't take their comments personally. That's their perception, their demands, Go when ever you feel ready. Go ONLY if you want too.

Family or not life is to short to have to put up with other people's complaints and demands! :P

Reply 14

mnot

Universities Forum Helper

20

There is no age limit on university, you go when it’s suitable for you.

The important thing is how you use the experience.

Reply 15

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

15

Original post by Anonymous

My dad thinks that I’ll be too old to start uni at 21- is it? My other sister started uni at 28 and my family moaned about her starting at that age.

I’ve been to uni for a year but left because I didn’t like the course. I’ll start at 21 and finish at 24. Is that old??

Thanks

21 is not too old at all. There are so many students that are already 21, it makes no difference whether you're 21 or 18 or even 30+. You can start university at any age you like. A lot of people who take second Bachelor's degrees would be much older than 21 and I knew someone who started at 24.

People who take gap years may be 20 by the time they start uni so I would not worry at all about how old you are and when you go to university :smile:

Hope this helps,
Dom

Reply 16

oldman50

8

You are never too old. Slightly different situation, but I am now doing a Masters and will be almost 60 by the time I graduate. The majority of the cohort weren't even born whan I was an undergraduate! At undergraduate level, most were in the 18-22 age range, but I remember having fellow students in their late twentys and mid forties

Original post by Anonymous

My dad thinks that I’ll be too old to start uni at 21- is it? My other sister started uni at 28 and my family moaned about her starting at that age.

I’ve been to uni for a year but left because I didn’t like the course. I’ll start at 21 and finish at 24. Is that old??

Thanks

Hiya,

I don’t think you’re ever too old to start university! I’m 32 and in my second year at ARU and I will be 33 by the time I finish. I had similar concerns before starting and it delayed me starting for years because I felt too old! Since starting I’ve realised there is no age limit on when you can start uni. The age range in my class is from 18 up to about 40!

There is no rule book on the age you can start uni and there certainly should never be a limit on when someone wants to make an important change in their life. Studying is leading you to a career that you want and will make your life feel fulfilled.

For some people starting uni at a younger age isn’t right for them. We all have our own journeys in life and you need to do what is right for you.

I say go for it! You absolutely won’t regret it. You’re choosing something that is based on what you want for you life. If you decide later in life that you want another change then that’s fine too :smile:

Good luck making your decision and starting uni if that’s what you decide to do!

Sophie (ARU) :smile:

Reply 18

Charlyengineer

Original post by oldman50

You are never too old. Slightly different situation, but I am now doing a Masters and will be almost 60 by the time I graduate. The majority of the cohort weren't even born whan I was an undergraduate! At undergraduate level, most were in the 18-22 age range, but I remember having fellow students in their late twentys and mid forties

You're absolutely right! Go for your dream!

Reply 19

Tiliana

8

You won't be too old at all! Why do your family think that? Are they trying to put you off because of the finances? If it's doable financially for you, just go for it, it's your future, not theirs. NB. A friend of mine started medicine as a mature student (in her 30s), successfully completed her degree and now does the work she loves.

Will I be too old?

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