You are classed as a mature student if you are over the age of 21 when you start a higher education course. Being a mature student at the University of Plymouth means that you will not be treated any differently during study, but there may be very specific levels of support that you will require when you choose to return to study.
It may have been several years since you last studied and you may want to know more about whether your previous qualifications and experience will allow you to meet the entry requirements for our degrees.
You may have already previously achieved an undergraduate degree and having spent some time in the world of work, building a family, etc. and have decided that now is the time to further your career with postgraduate study.
"After attending the subject talks during the University open day, talking to the students on the course, meeting the subject leader and having a tour of the campus, I was sure I'd made the right decision."
Traci – BSc (Hons) Events Management student
Visiting one of our open days represents the perfect opportunity for you to explore our campus, see our facilities and come and talk to current students and academic staff at one of our upcoming open days and see for yourself why Plymouth is the perfect place to live and study as a mature student.
Even if you feel that you are quite early in the process of considering a return to study, it maybe beneficial to get a feel for the subject options available and to have in mind which degree you may like to aim for.
Why return to study?
Your decision to return to study depends on your goals, aspirations and whether higher education can offer you something that meets your needs. There are lots of reasons to become a student; enhance your employment prospects, improve your confidence and meet new, like-minded people.
The mature students who are integrated onto our courses and programmes make up a lively, enthusiastic and committed community and we greatly value the contribution they make to university life.
Those returning to study after a period of time away are highly motivated, well organised and used to the kind of independent thinking that is crucial for success at university.
Find out more about the support available to our mature students
Your life as a student
Discover more about the structure of your higher education studies and how it may differ from your previous experiences. Find out more about how we teach, weekly time commitments and timetable information as well how you will be assessed during your time in higher education.
The Residence Life and Student Accommodation office is here to assist you at any stage of your academic studies. Situated in Mary Newman hall in the heart of campus, we are able to advise on several accommodation options including private housing, halls of residence and homestay.
The majority of private housing on our database is within a two-mile radius of the main campus, with affordable modern properties that feel like a home away from home. In halls of residence we aim to allocate students into flats where the ages are 23 and over as we appreciate that students' lifestyle choices may vary. Often mature students prefer to live more independently but some students may prefer home-stay, where you live in the property along side the home owner.
Find our more information about your accommodation options
We have a dedicated team who ensure that the accommodation is safe an suitable for our students. As Plymouth has an abundance of housing options, we will be able to suggest properties that meet your personal requirements, this can including sharing with other students or maybe looking for an individual flat or studio.
