Can 23 yr olds start at university and still fit in socially etc.?

Sh*t and i was worrying about starting at 20

One of my work mates is thinking of taking time off work to do an access course and do this, Idk many mature students so what should I tell her?

Also is there no funding for access courses bc you are older?

Would she be better off doing A levels and then starting uni at 24 instead?

24 is old though isnt it?

Why do you feel the need to tell her anything? You clearly don't have any insight or experience to offer. If I were you, I'd be minding my own business.

Yes, there's the 24+ Advanced Learning Loan.

It depends what her target uni wants. Most prefer Access courses from mature students who've been out of education for a few years, as they're nearer uni-style study than A Levels. It will not only show the uni that an applicant can work at the right level, but it will show the student whether uni study is really for them.

Only if you're under 24... I started my degree aged 44, which must seem positively geriatric to you!

Please stay out of it. Your work colleague really doesn't need your "help".

Hey,

I did an access course last year 2013/14 academic year, and now at Manchester University. I am 24 now, I had the same worries..however realised it's very easy to fit in socially, firstly Nobody asks, how old you are. And since everybody is the same boat there's no questions and everyone is friendly. It's what you make it, you do need to talk to people, and there are various ages at uni, for example I have met a 65 year old first year. Just take part in uni life, ie society's and she'll be fine.

Hope this helps.

Is that for people who are 24+ when they start uni or the course?

I think she's going for Russell Group type unis. Forgot to ask sorry. Is it best for her to email them and ask?

How did you find it at 44?

That would be for Access so she wouldn't get it unless she waited. At uni, she'll get the same Student Finance as anyone else. You get a lifetime fixed entitlement, and the only age restriction kicks in when you hit 60, when you can no longer get the Maintenance Loan.

Absolutely - it's definitely best to ask the uni's Admissions Office before committing to any pre-uni study. Mature student entry requirements are decided on a case-by-case basis. Different students might be given different requirements for the same course. I was one of two mature students on my degree - I didn't have to do an Access course and the other person did.

If the uni wants an Access course, get them to specify which one. There are different subjects and if you apply with the wrong Access course, your application will be rejected.

As a basic, most unis will now require GCSE English and Maths at Grade C or above. Worth bearing in mind in case she needs to re-take them.

I suspect my experience will be very different as I looked like everyone's Mum! It took about a year for the younger students to get used to me, after which I was part of the group and the banter like everyone else. I loved my undergrad degree. In fact six and a half years on, I'm still at uni doing a PhD. They can't get rid of me!

At 24, I doubt your colleague will look or sound much different to a 20 year old. My bet is that nobody will guess how old she is unless she makes a thing of it and tells everyone. At which point, I still doubt it would make much difference to either friendships or social life.

Thanks, how much are the Access courses usually btw?

I'll tell her to email ty. How come you didn't have to do Access btw, did you have recent A levels?

Ah that sounds awful that it took a year How did they act before you got used to you, hopefully they weren't cliquey?

Doesn't everyone at uni know how old you are tho? (I had a 17 year old scottish guy in my halls, and everyone knew because his birthday was in the first term)

the op is extremely rude here. I will be 25 when i go back in september to do my second degree (i still get id'd alot so don't imagine my age will be a problem) but, what-the-actual-f here?! I am going onto a course which is like 50% mature and 50% just out of sixth form, but even on my first degree which was predominantly younger people about 1 in 10 people in my class were in their late twenties and i didn't even realise until they told me, nor did i really think it was a big deal.

Grow up.

One of my work mates is thinking of taking time off work to do an access course and do this, Idk many mature students so what should I tell her?

Also is there no funding for access courses bc you are older? Would she be better off doing A levels and then starting uni at 24 instead? 24 is old though isnt it?

LOL at your profile pic.....The legendary slasher?

no its jesus

Why do you feel the need to tell her anything? You clearly don't have any insight or experience to offer. If I were you, I'd be minding my own business.


Yes, there's the 24+ Advanced Learning Loan.


It depends what her target uni wants. Most prefer Access courses from mature students who've been out of education for a few years, as they're nearer uni-style study than A Levels. It will not only show the uni that an applicant can work at the right level, but it will show the student whether uni study is really for them.


Only if you're under 24... I started my degree aged 44, which must seem positively geriatric to you!

Please stay out of it. Your work colleague really doesn't need your "help".

The OP is extremely rude here. I will be 25 when I go back in September to do my second degree (I still get ID'd alot so don't imagine my age will be a problem) BUT, what-the-actual-f here?! I am going onto a course which is like 50% mature and 50% just out of sixth form, but even on my first degree which was predominantly younger people about 1 in 10 people in my class were in their late twenties and I didn't even realise until they told me, nor did I really think it was a big deal.
Grow up.