Uni Mythbusters #2: I am too old for university

In short…not at all!

University is not just for school leavers, in fact, a mature student is anyone starting a course over the age of 21! In fact, a third of our students are over the age of 30, so there’s no need to feel daunted at the idea of getting back into education.

You might be looking for a career change, a life change or just to learn about a new area, or even develop your knowledge on a topic. There is a HUGE range of reasons why people choose to go to university, it may feel scary but you won’t be alone in making the journey, which is why we have put some key bits of advice below. you can check out more here: Applying as a mature student - Canterbury Christ Church University

I can’t afford the tuition fees…
Good news! If you are a UK national or have settled status in the UK, you can apply for student finance if you are under 60 years old at the start of the academic year. If you are over 60 years old at the start the amount you get is based on your household income.
If you previously received a student loan for an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, you may still be accepted for further funding depending on your course. You also may be able to get extra help if you’ve got children or caring responsibilities.
It can be complicated so it’s worth looking at the gov website for your individual advice ).

I do not have time to go to university…
Many courses can be taken either full-time or part-time. Full-time is usually three years (four years if you include a foundation year), and part-time is anywhere up to six years.
As well as a wide range of full-time courses, universities also offer part-time courses providing a flexible way to fit studying around your other commitments.

I do not have the qualifications…
We consider applications from people with a wide range of general qualifications. Whether you have A levels or T levels, we accept multiple qualifications to help you secure a place with us.
You can also evidence your life experience with an Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) or an Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). If you can demonstrate any previous experience that is relevant to your chosen course, then you can use this as evidence of the entry requirements that we adhere to.
As an example, you can check our entry requirements page for more information. Remember, this list is not exhaustive, and we do take into consideration your life experience too.

Foundation years
If you haven't quite got enough grades, you can opt for a Foundation Year, which will give you a fantastic opportunity to begin exploring your chosen course. Not only will you get a feel for our University, but you'll gain the confidence and skills needed to progress onto your chosen degree.

I won't get the support I need...
We’re here to support you before you start and all the way through your studies. Before joining us, we'll send out a Course Essentials pack to ensure that you'll be fully ready to begin your course.
You also have the option of speaking with a peer mentor who is a current student. This will give you the opportunity to find out what you really need to do to prepare from someone who has already done it - the peer mentor scheme is a fantastic way for you to prepare, build your confidence and make friends.

Everyone will be too young…
If you want to meet other mature students on the same or different courses as you, you can start a Mature Students Society at the Students' Union. Here, you'll find like-minded students who are eager to make new friends and socialise.
One example of what we do to help is in the months leading up to the start of your course, you'll also be invited to join our Christ Church Students Facebook Group. This is the perfect place for you to meet other people on your course who might be living in the same accommodation or commuting from the same area.

University is for anyone at any stage of life.

Reply 1

CCCU Health Rep

Official Rep

This is so true! In health, we have a large majority of mature students on our courses, and feedback has shown that our students really like the opportunity to learn from each other as they all share different life experiences that feed into their development