Going to university at 23 due to health problems

Hello all

I just turned 22 in December and am not currently in education. I am currently working as a freelance graphic designer and video editor earning around £30k a year.

My dream is to become a solicitor and thus I want to go university to pursue law.

I originally went to university at 18 but decided to drop out because I wasn't enjoying the course and I got diagnosed with teenage cancer Hodgkin's lymphoma. That is now behind me thankfully.

I wish to start university at the latest in September 2026 by time I shall be 23 years of age.

Will I be too old to fit in? Since the average age of solicitor qualification is 30 I hope that me starting university at 23 won't be a problem as I will be qualified by 26 and at best would be starting a training contract at 27 years old.

Could someone please tell me what going to university at 23 would feel like.

I would be able to get full student finance I believe.

Thanks

Val

Original post by Val McBride

Hello all
I just turned 22 in December and am not currently in education. I am currently working as a freelance graphic designer and video editor earning around £30k a year.
My dream is to become a solicitor and thus I want to go university to pursue law.
I originally went to university at 18 but decided to drop out because I wasn't enjoying the course and I got diagnosed with teenage cancer Hodgkin's lymphoma. That is now behind me thankfully.
I wish to start university at the latest in September 2026 by time I shall be 23 years of age.
Will I be too old to fit in? Since the average age of solicitor qualification is 30 I hope that me starting university at 23 won't be a problem as I will be qualified by 26 and at best would be starting a training contract at 27 years old.
Could someone please tell me what going to university at 23 would feel like.
I would be able to get full student finance I believe.
Thanks
Val

Hi there!

I'm Charlotte, a Graphic Design student at Norwich Uni Arts. This won't be super helpful, however I really just wanted to reply to this and say that I'm sure you'll be fine! I started Uni at 18, however straight away within the first week became friends with a then 22 year old (I'm now 21, she's 25) and both due to graduate in 2026.

Also, I have been in a class with a few very lovely 'mature students' each with kids and jobs etc, and whilst I can't speak on their behalf, they seem to have had a great time so far and I enjoyed getting to know them last year.

Not super helpful as I'm at an arts uni and I'm 21, but I hope this at least offers some reassurance!

Best of luck!
Charlotte, Student Ambassador Norwich Uni Arts.

Reply 2

normaw

Volunteer Section Leader, Clearing and Applications Advisor

19

Original post by Val McBride

Hello all

I just turned 22 in December and am not currently in education. I am currently working as a freelance graphic designer and video editor earning around £30k a year.

My dream is to become a solicitor and thus I want to go university to pursue law.

I originally went to university at 18 but decided to drop out because I wasn't enjoying the course and I got diagnosed with teenage cancer Hodgkin's lymphoma. That is now behind me thankfully.

I wish to start university at the latest in September 2026 by time I shall be 23 years of age.

Will I be too old to fit in? Since the average age of solicitor qualification is 30 I hope that me starting university at 23 won't be a problem as I will be qualified by 26 and at best would be starting a training contract at 27 years old.

Could someone please tell me what going to university at 23 would feel like.

I would be able to get full student finance I believe.

Thanks

Val

Lots of mature students apply to uni every year (some in their 50s) so you will fit in. Have a look at this year's mature applicants thread:

https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7544024

Reply 3

ArcticFox99

6

Original post by Val McBride

Hello all
I just turned 22 in December and am not currently in education. I am currently working as a freelance graphic designer and video editor earning around £30k a year.
My dream is to become a solicitor and thus I want to go university to pursue law.
I originally went to university at 18 but decided to drop out because I wasn't enjoying the course and I got diagnosed with teenage cancer Hodgkin's lymphoma. That is now behind me thankfully.
I wish to start university at the latest in September 2026 by time I shall be 23 years of age.
Will I be too old to fit in? Since the average age of solicitor qualification is 30 I hope that me starting university at 23 won't be a problem as I will be qualified by 26 and at best would be starting a training contract at 27 years old.
Could someone please tell me what going to university at 23 would feel like.
I would be able to get full student finance I believe.
Thanks
Val

I'm 26 and hopefully starting uni this September! Can't speak for what it's like yet but there are an awful lot of older applicants and students around, you won't be the only one. Maybe it'll be a bit different to a younger student, but you can't turn back time and do it younger, so you're either doing it now or when you're even older, if it's your dream go for it!

Reply 4

Batninja95

5

I started uni at 24. You’re never too old.

Going to university at 23 due to health problems

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