Starting uni at 20?

3

I’m 19 and i’m currently on a gap year and working. I went to university at 18 after S6 to study psychology. I passed 1st year however I did not continue onto 2nd year because I hated the course and living at home made my social life difficult. In september I will be going to study Law (LLB) hopefully at University of Edinburgh, however by this time I will be 20. Basically, I know this is trivial, but i want to know if anyone else is going into first year at 20 years old? Being older than everyone is something that worries me, especially staying in halls.

Thanks! :smile:

Reply 1

MillieeM2

12

I’m planning to go this year, I’ll be 20 as well. I know a lot of universities have older students due to extenuating circumstances, national service and people who decided to change their degree

Reply 2

lanky_giraffe

16

I will likely be 20 or 21 starting university due to various factors. I’m worried too about the age but I think it should be fine because quite a few people take gap years and they can easily be 20 or close to it when they start their course.

Also, there’s not a huge difference between a 20 and 18 year old in the way that they act so people won’t even bat an eye; I’m sure you’ll make loads of friends, don’t worry.

Reply 3

PinkMobilePhone

Chat Forum Helper, Life & Style Forum Helper

22

I was 20 when I first started uni.

My 19 year old daughter (currently in her gap year) will turn 20 a couple of days before she starts uni.

Nobody will know at all. My eldest two kids (19 as mentioned, and 17) look no different in age. Not a single person would be able to tell there's a 2 year age gap there.

Reply 4

Isobel.jr06

8

Original post

by carw5

I’m 19 and i’m currently on a gap year and working. I went to university at 18 after S6 to study psychology. I passed 1st year however I did not continue onto 2nd year because I hated the course and living at home made my social life difficult. In september I will be going to study Law (LLB) hopefully at University of Edinburgh, however by this time I will be 20. Basically, I know this is trivial, but i want to know if anyone else is going into first year at 20 years old? Being older than everyone is something that worries me, especially staying in halls.
Thanks! :smile:

Hey, I think you should be okay. Some of the people in my class and on my course have started first year and are over 25 so there is a big range of ages. In my flat as well our ages range from 18 to 23 and we all get on okay and the older ones have found it okay. Its understandable to be worried about it but it isn't uncommon for people to start university at an older age. Hope it all works out and goes okay!

Reply 5

Jattwalla

12

Did you get a refund for any money you paid to the uni?

Reply 6

lastditcheffort

6

Original post

by carw5

I’m 19 and i’m currently on a gap year and working. I went to university at 18 after S6 to study psychology. I passed 1st year however I did not continue onto 2nd year because I hated the course and living at home made my social life difficult. In september I will be going to study Law (LLB) hopefully at University of Edinburgh, however by this time I will be 20. Basically, I know this is trivial, but i want to know if anyone else is going into first year at 20 years old? Being older than everyone is something that worries me, especially staying in halls.
Thanks! :smile:

I went to uni in September when I was 18, and almost everyone else on my course was 19/20 because most had taken a gap year, resat exams, or were starting a new degree after dropping out of a different course.

I was in a flat with 4 other people; 2 were my age, one was 20, and one was 23. And it made absolutely no difference. Even if you are older than a lot of people you meet, the difference is pretty insignificant. 2 years is nothing. People will not care. There was a 44 year old woman on our course, and no one cared - she made friends faster than I did. Chances are, you won't be anywhere near the oldest person there, and a lot of people go to university when they're your age. Try not to worry about it too much!

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 7

UniofLaw Student

Official Rep

11

Original post

by carw5

I’m 19 and i’m currently on a gap year and working. I went to university at 18 after S6 to study psychology. I passed 1st year however I did not continue onto 2nd year because I hated the course and living at home made my social life difficult. In september I will be going to study Law (LLB) hopefully at University of Edinburgh, however by this time I will be 20. Basically, I know this is trivial, but i want to know if anyone else is going into first year at 20 years old? Being older than everyone is something that worries me, especially staying in halls.
Thanks! :smile:

Hi there,

It's completely understandable to feel a bit apprehensive about starting university at 20, but rest assured, you're not alone! Many students start their degrees at different ages for a variety of reasons, whether it's taking a gap year, switching courses, or coming from different educational backgrounds. At Edinburgh, and in university life in general, you'll find a mix of students of all ages, including those in their early 20s in first year.

Halls are a great place to meet people, and you’ll likely find others in a similar position. Some students may also be returning after a gap year or transferring from different courses, so you won’t necessarily be the only one a little older than the typical 18-year-old freshers. Plus, at 20, you’ll still be able to fully enjoy the student experience, your age won’t set you apart in any major way.

If you're feeling concerned, you might consider applying for accommodation where students are more likely to be a mix of ages, such as self-catered halls or private student accommodation. But overall, once the term starts, people will be focused on making friends and settling in, and your age won’t be a big deal. You’ve already had some university experience, which might actually make adjusting to student life easier for you!

Reply 8

rhixgreenwood

5

i’ll be 20 and starting uni in september. I went to uni to study criminology straight after my a-levels but I really didn’t enjoy it so i dropped out and have been working for the last year and a half to save some money. After researching it seems that it’s much more common than you think for people to go to uni at 20!

Starting uni at 20?

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