The Student Room Group

AM i too Old to go to Uni?

Hi Guys Im a 21 year old guy now and if i go Uni next year Ill be 22, is this too old to go to uni? i dont mean too old to learn but will i be too old to fit in if i live in Uni Halls ?

i could be 4 years older than people im living with is that too much?

im quite worried about this

any advice would be greatly appreciated. :smile:

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Nope.

Your the same age as my brother, in his first year and at he knows people who have started in their thirties.

At my London uni we had a student who looked like to be in his 60's. I don't think it's a factor. My best friends are 4-3 years younger than me.
(edited 7 years ago)
Reply 2
Original post by Lemons1990
Nope.

Your the same age as my brother, in his first year and at he knows people who have started in their thirties.

At my London uni we had a student who looked like to be in his 60's. I don't think it's a factor. My best friends are 4-3 years younger than me.


Thanks :smile: Did you stay in halls ?
No one is too old to go to uni. I kinda miss it tbh
Not at all. Obviously the majority of 1st years are <20, but it's really not uncommon for people your age to start uni. There is lots more cross-year socialising than at school so age doesn't really play a factor anyway.
My friend is in his first year now, 20 going on 21. He said he would be surprised if any of his friends even knew how old he was. Age just isn't discussed much. Don't worry!
4 years age difference is not that much. In all likelihood, few people will notice and even less will care.

You'll fit in halls if you feel okay about 18/19 year olds being let off the leash for the first time. Expect disruption, noise and stupidity but also expect to socialise a lot and make potentially long term friends.
Reply 6
Original post by CalKi
Hi Guys Im a 21 year old guy now and if i go Uni next year Ill be 22, is this too old to go to uni? i dont mean too old to learn but will i be too old to fit in if i live in Uni Halls ?

i could be 4 years older than people im living with is that too much?

im quite worried about this

any advice would be greatly appreciated. :smile:


Nope. When I studied Medicine we had someone on the course who was 43, and when I did my intercalated BSc I was 22.

You'll 'fit in' in Halls, you just might not fancy going to all the same clubs that most other people will, because you'll find better places. That's no big deal.

Nobody will ask how old you are unless you give them reason to anyway!
Reply 7
cleatly you're not too old
A little old to live in halls maybe but to go to uni, definately not people of all ages go.
Nobody cares what age you are at Uni, if you're a nice person then it's fine
Reply 10
No your not too old at all
My Mum went to university when she was 30
My sister had a friend on her uni course who was 54
It's not unusual and with the fact it costs so much, I can see why people would want to wait

I don't think you are too old to be living in halls but if you end up with 18 year olds who want to party and drink all night, then you will have a rough time. However, there are some quiet and respectful flatmates you could end up with. It just depends.
Don't let anyone else's opinions limit your own development. I've graduated in my 20's, done postgrad in my 30's (after kids), and a PhD in my 40's. Just do it.
Reply 12
Not at all, I started at 21. There's plenty of people that are older than 18 on my course, but no one asks your age anyways. University is full of all sorts of people and there's probably people that'll be much older than you. Looks wise, you won't really stand out compared to other students, you'll be 22. That's still quite young.
Original post by CalKi
Thanks :smile: Did you stay in halls ?


For my first degree I lived at home, but I am staying in student dorms for second, mainly just because it would be cheaper then renting a flat.
Original post by CalKi
Hi Guys Im a 21 year old guy now and if i go Uni next year Ill be 22, is this too old to go to uni? i dont mean too old to learn but will i be too old to fit in if i live in Uni Halls ?

i could be 4 years older than people im living with is that too much?

im quite worried about this

any advice would be greatly appreciated. :smile:


Hello :smile:

No, not at all! Don't stress yourself out about your age. It won't effect your ability to settle into halls, make friends and what not. You'll fit in easily - trust me!

There are a lot of people on my course and that lived in my halls in First Year that were older and it wasn't a problem or something we focused on!

Don't let it be a worry that stresses you out before university!

Good luck! :smile:
Didn't even read the full thing but I assure you, you're never too old. :smile:
Original post by CalKi
Hi Guys Im a 21 year old guy now and if i go Uni next year Ill be 22, is this too old to go to uni? i dont mean too old to learn but will i be too old to fit in if i live in Uni Halls ?

i could be 4 years older than people im living with is that too much?

im quite worried about this

any advice would be greatly appreciated. :smile:


That's not old to go to university.
Original post by The_Internet
No one is too old to go to uni. I kinda miss it tbh


Which one did you go to If you don't mind me asking?
I'm 68, in my 2nd year at uni.. X
Reply 19
Not at all, did you see last weeks University Challenge? The average age of the SOAS team was like 30 or 40 something (they were doing Msc's like but two of them were of the older generations!)

You're never too old for uni :wink:

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