Getting into medical school, however, is a very mature decision, and often demands a very mature person to make it. Often, and especially for those older students who come from a non-science background, the first 6 months or so of medical school are certainly difficult.
Even if you haven't completed Year 12, it's still possible to get into university by doing further study that could help secure a place in the degree of your dreams.
Mature students are defined as any student aged 21 or over at the start of their studies. Just over a half are aged between 21 and 24, 38 per cent between 25 and 39, and 10 per cent are over 40 when they commence their courses. What are the benefits?
The main difference when applying to university as a mature student is the entry requirements. A mature student can be as young as 21 but many are in their late 20s/early 30s or older, and may have left school without the necessary A Levels or equivalent.
If you are under 20, a New Zealand or Australian citizen or permanent resident, and do not hold a University Entrance qualification, you can apply for admission by Discretionary Entrance. You must have gained National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 2 or higher, and exceptional results in Year 12.
Although A Levels are primarily for those seeking to get into university, yes it is possible to get to university without A levels and qualify for a university course. An Access to Higher Education (Access to HE) course is a flexible way of getting into university and suits those who are returning to education.
No. AFAIK, admission to a TAFE diploma requires either the completion of year 12 (or its equivalent) OR the completion of a Certificate III OR relevant industry experience (BUT this only applies to mature-age applicants).
Top tips for surviving uni as a mature student
- Get involved. The day I joined the Drama Society was the day everything clicked into place for me.
- Part time jobs are a lifesaver. A part-time job is a good way to keep on top of your finances – and maybe afford the odd luxury!
- Take advantage of all the resources.
For those who can't wait to get started at uni, undergraduate subjects are available to students aged 16 years and over. With most unis, if you have your parents' permission, you can start even younger!
It's proven that mature learners leave for reasons such as lack of support, poor value for money, and pressure to attend class. New research conducted by Oxbridge shows the percentage of mature students currently dropping out of universities in the UK every year.
UCAS2 has indicated that approximately half of mature undergraduate UK entrants in 2017 are aged between 21 and 24, 39 per cent are between 25 and 39, and 12 per cent are over 40 years old. In 2016-17, 92 per cent of undergraduate part-time students were mature students compared with 23 per cent of full-time students3.
Often, universities will specify the minimum grades they expect at GCSE maths and English alongside the more requirements for more advanced qualifications, such as A-levels. Usually, to be eligible to apply, you would need at least a C in both of these subjects.
You can study at university as a
mature student even if you do not have traditional qualifications. You can also apply for funding.
Search and apply for:
- undergraduate courses through UCAS.
- postgraduate courses through UCAS or by contacting the university directly.
- teacher training courses through UCAS Teacher Training.
: a student at a college or university who has not received a first and especially a bachelor's degree.
It's possible to go to university without A-levels by studying an Access to Higher Education Diploma. They are accepted by many universities and can help you to meet the entry requirements for a variety of courses.
' Loans issued before 1998 have to be repaid directly to the Student Loans Company and can be written off at age 50. That system was replaced so the repayment of loans now depends on how much the former student is earning.
No Age LimitationYou can apply for an Australian Student Visa at any age. However, special conditions apply if you are under 18 years old.
Generally, a mature student is one who begins their undergraduate degree after the age of 21, and as a postgraduate student you will almost certainly be over the age of 21. This means that most universities, such as the University of Leicester do not distinguish postgraduate students as mature or not.
Your options include :
- Stay at school to complete Years 11 and 12;
- Do a TAFE NSW delivered Vocational Education and Training (TVET) course while at school;
- Do a full-time course at TAFE NSW or other Registered Training Organisation (RTO);
- Take up an apprenticeship or traineeship;
- Get a full-time job; or.
It's a common believe that the age between 19 and 24 is the crucial time, when most people pursue higher education. By the age of 30, they are expected to have a well-paid job and settled with a family of their own.
Advantages of Being A Student
- Students make Friends.
- Students will get networking opportunities.
- Practical experience through clubs and activities.
- Students can learn good communication skills.
- Students can learn digital fluency.
- Students get a good education.
- Bullying of students.
- Students can't pursue their ambitions.
Generally, you will need to have completed your Leaving Certificate. However, if you are applying for a place as a mature student, you will not be asked to meet the usual entry requirements. The Qualifax website has information about mature student entry requirements for full-time undergraduate courses.
