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Mature students at Oxford

Are there any statistics for mature students accepted into Oxford?

I am interested in the ratio of mature students, and how many go into arts/sciences, etc. I have Googled and searched everywhere but no luck....

I am hoping to get into Oxford but my course (Biology) isn't offered by Harris Manchester and I am not sure how popular the sciences are with mature students. I'm not that old (will be turning 25 when course starts) but still, would be nice to feel like I'm not the odd one out.

Reply 1

Rough Inclined Plane

8

possibly look here to start Good Luck
http://www.ox.ac.uk/about_the_university/facts_and_figures/index.html#aundergraduate_admissions_and_access

Reply 2

eve_22

18

Hi,

I am a mature student myself (23 years old :smile:

), and I am studying law at Harris Manchester. I won't be able to tell you how many mature students there are across the university, but, judging from the termly mature student gatherings, there are more than just a few. Majority are studying at HMC, but you certainly got mature students at other colleges as well, and you will certainly not be the odd one out once you get here.

Reply 3

Nambi

OP

11

eve_22

Hi,

I am a mature student myself (23 years old :smile:

), and I am studying law at Harris Manchester. I won't be able to tell you how many mature students there are across the university, but, judging from the termly mature student gatherings, there are more than just a few. Majority are studying at HMC, but you certainly got mature students at other colleges as well, and you will certainly not be the odd one out once you get here.

Hello Eve

So if I get accepted, would it be okay to meet up with some of the students at Harris Manchester when they have their do's? I am applying to Magdalen and love my college but it would be nice to meet up with other mature students sometimes! I'm not sure how inclusive the colleges are.

I'll be fine mixing with the young 'uns as it feels like only yesterday I was 19 myself (I turned 24 last week) but would be great to know I can tag along to events where people are a bit older so I feel more comfortable, especially when I'm settling in.

Reply 4

sloe_gin

I studied English at St. Peter's as a mature student, so don't worry about the Harris Manchester monopoly! Other colleges will take you

Reply 5

fullmetaljacket

1

sloe_gin

I studied English at St. Peter's as a mature student, so don't worry about the Harris Manchester monopoly! Other colleges will take you

sloe_gin, if you don't mind me hijacking the thread for a bit, was your interview any different from a 19-year-old's in terms of stuff they asked and how they'll perceive you as a mature student? i got an interview but not with HMC and i'm applying for english....

Reply 6

Fox's

Nambi

fullmetaljacket

Hi Fullmetaljacket and Nambi,

I think I can help a bit here, as I am a mature student, studying English and in my first year, not at Harris Manchester.

There’s no getting away from the fact that you will feel older than the average age of students – I am 25 and there is only one other mature student in the college; Oxford does tend to shepherd us all towards HMC. Unless I’m just a grumpy old woman, I would imagine that you will find, as I have, that what the majority of the people in your year will find fun is something that you have already got out of your system. Having said that, I have made really good friends with a 19 year old, so this is not all doom and gloom, just a recognition that you will probably have a different experience from the rest of the undergrads.

What has been great for me is that I have been able to join the MCR as an associate member. This is the common room for post grads, so it gives you a social life within college with people more your own age. I imagine most colleges will allow this – just check on your college’s MCR website and there should be some info, or at least an email address for the MCR President, who will be able to help you.

There is also a mature student society, which meets up a few times per term for drinks etc, however no-one from Harris Manchester came to the only one I’ve been to, so not sure how easy it is to integrate with them…but I’ve only been here a term, so who knows?

Fullmetaljacket, about the interview, you won’t get treated any differently to a normal student. I got exactly the same interview as the rest of my year group and it didn’t even seem like they knew I was a mature student. In fact, I only realised my head tutor did when I had a meeting with her the other day…

Hope I’ve clarified things a bit. If you have any questions please do ask me – I was terrified coming up and thought it was going to be a complete disaster, so am very happy to help anyone in a similar situation and allay fears.

Reply 7

Cirsium

19

To add to what Fox's has said, at Jesus certainly you are automatically a member of the MCR if you're 21 and since there are such a random bunch of people there (from people who've already done undergrad, masters and phds at the same college; to one term visiting JYAs to new JRFs to 4th years back from a year abroad...) that you won't be unusual in not being a postgrad.

Reply 8

sloe_gin

sloe_gin, if you don't mind me hijacking the thread for a bit, was your interview any different from a 19-year-old's in terms of stuff they asked and how they'll perceive you as a mature student? i got an interview but not with HMC and i'm applying for english....

I am so sorry for the lateness of this reply fullmetaljacket - I almost never use Student Room and logged on for the first time in ages today. If you want to pm me I can give you a whole host of info about my Oxford interview. If you have already had it, how did it go?

Mature students at Oxford

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