UK universities, which were once almost exclusively the domain of late teens and early twenty-something students fresh out of high school, are now seeing a significant increase in the number of mature students returning to university to pursue postgraduate degrees, some of whom are in their 60s and 70s!

Full of opportunity

Mature postgraduate students may confront some difficulties when returning to university, but don't let this deter you.

Yes, it will be difficult, but for every problem, you will face, there will be a plethora of possibilities to take advantage of.

Let's start with some of the challenges you can experience as a senior postgraduate student.

Keeping up with the kids

Simply said, age is one of the most noticeable distinctions between older postgraduate students and their undergraduate counterparts.

You may not believe that age makes much of a difference, but any postgraduate will tell you otherwise.

The life experiences of an 18-year-old and a mature student are vastly different; this difference will have various repercussions for mature students.

Highly independent

In comparison to undergrad degrees, many postgraduate degrees require a large amount of self-study, which can have the unintended consequence of making the student feel alienated from the rush and bustle of campus life.

Becoming a member of a university sports club or society is a terrific method to avoid this and become more active in university life.

A prevalent misconception among university students is that the numerous sports clubs and societies are only available to undergraduate students.

Their reputation for raucous, alcohol-fueled socials, while appealing to certain mature students, is not for everyone. 

However, as a postgraduate student, you can take advantage of this. You've 'been there and done it,' whether it was a couple of years or a couple of decades ago, and if you take the time to investigate the clubs and societies available beforehand, you'll discover that it can be a fantastic opportunity to interact with like-minded individuals. 

You never know, joining a sports team or society could boost your job development by allowing you to learn a new ability or build a new skill.

Readjusting to higher education

There is no doubt that higher education can be difficult, and you must be prepared for the challenges of academic life.

As a mature student, you may be concerned about how you'll handle these demands, especially if you've been out of school for a while and the experience of researching and writing essays is a distant memory.

It is a good idea to brush up on your study abilities if you are returning to postgraduate school after a significant absence.

There are numerous online refresher courses available, as well as local evening sessions that may cover a pertinent topic.

Because your writing and research at university will be primarily computer-based, try to update your technology skills before returning to university.

The good news for mature students is that there is plenty of help available once they get to university.

Most colleges hold workshops at the start of the academic year on topics such as essay writing, referencing, researching, and using the library. Believe in yourself, but when in doubt, seek assistance.

Furthermore, some postgraduate students insist that there is a difference in how course professors treat them as compared to their younger, undergraduate colleagues.

One of the major benefits of being a postgraduate student is that your decision to return to university was most likely formed over a large number of years, rather than a hurried decision in the sixth form, providing you adequate time to thoroughly decide which field of study to pursue.

Juggling other commitments

Many mature students return to school with family obligations that must be balanced with their studies.

This can make it difficult to prioritize academic work, and you may feel bad for not giving everyone the attention they need. Part-time study is one approach to dealing with this.

Other postgraduates use creative routines to make the most of their time, such as only studying after the kids have gone to bed, to strike that perfect balance between study and home life.

As a mature student, you may be juggling your career alongside your new academic life.

If this is the case, keep your boss and coworkers informed of your new postgraduate responsibilities; this way, they'll be more inclined to give you some leeway as an academic deadline approaches.

Getting support

As a mature student returning to university, you will require a dependable support network, so make time to meet with your family and friends before your course responsibilities become too time-consuming.

Starting a university degree is an exciting experience; always discuss it with your loved ones and dump your worries so they don't feel ignored.

If you are having difficulties with your postgraduate study that your family does not understand or cannot assist you with, contact your university for support.

Use all available pastoral care and consult with your tutor for practical help. You will, of course, establish friends with your cohort group, who will become a source of essential support and shared experiences over time.

Funding your postgraduate study

Coping with financial difficulties can be especially tough for mature students, who frequently have several competing commitments.

Money can be difficult if you've given up a job to study, but support is available for parents in the shape of childcare allowances, single-parent single-parent scholarships, and bursaries.

You might also check to see if your children qualify for free school lunches, which can save you a lot of money and time.

If you want to apply for a UK government master's loan, you must be under 60 years old on the first day of your course's first academic year.

Reasons to be a mature student

So, we've discussed the difficulties of being a mature postgraduate student, but there are numerous reasons why it's still a good choice.

You have some excellent intentions.

You are likely to have some solid life goals now that you are a little more mature, or at least that is what students over 21 are referred to as (or over 24 years old in the United States).

You most likely have an idea of where you want to be located, and you may even have individuals in mind who you want to live near or with; this simple aspect of life makes choosing courses and occupations a little easier because you can match your plans with the local industry.

You're probably more financially stable

If you worked hard and were well-organized, you might have saved enough money to cover your postgraduate tuition, course fees, and living expenses.

Alternatively, you may have a partner or someone who will pay for your studies, or you may share your finances with them and think it's a smart investment.

You can develop your career

Postgraduate students who do not have the time or the career space to stop working for a year or more have many part-time and distance study options.

Many employers may consider your desire to study as an investment and may offer you more time off or even pay for some or all of your study expenditures as an investment in your future career with them.

Your time management skills will be better

If you did your first degree right out of high school, returning to university as an adult will help you realize how much you have learned.

Time management skills are an important aspect of effective studies, and if you've worked, time management skills will have played a role in your success to date.

You’ll be in good company

You will not be alone in your endeavors because there are many mature postgraduate students around; in fact, several colleges establish clubs exclusively for senior students.

This means there will be other people to talk to who have had similar experiences to you, and because you're a little older, you shouldn't find meeting all these new people as intimidating as it once was.

This table shows how much the number of mature students (or adult learners) has expanded in the United States over the previous 50 years, more than trebling.

Source

Open up to new experiences

University is all about new experiences and discovering oneself. As an older student, you will have many opportunities to do new things and meet new people while studying.

Most institutions have a lot going on, some related to the course or department, and others related to other courses in which you can participate.

Some will be paid, while others will be voluntary, but both will add to your CV or provide valuable life experience.

Universities welcome you

Universities accept mature students because they want a diverse range of people and experiences to draw on during their postgraduate studies. This means that you will be able to apply for most postgraduate courses regardless of your age or future aspirations.

There will be societies focused on postgraduate students, often for those in diverse circumstances, such as postgraduate students with children, to engage in and meet others in a similar situation.

You recognize opportunity

After a while, you learn to recognize opportunities when they present themselves. There will be several opportunities to develop new talents or gain new experiences while studying for your postgraduate degree; all you have to do is participate in them.

It takes maturity to determine which possibilities to pursue and others to give up. For example, most institutions host events and courses on starting a business, so if that's your area of interest and you want to hone your entrepreneurial abilities, check out what's on offer.

You've gained a sense of perspective

Everyone fails at some point in their lives, and with a little luck and hard work, you won't flunk anything during your postgraduate studies.

But, if you do, you now know that not getting the marks you expected isn't the end of the world. There is always something you can do, in addition to retaking examinations and essays, so keep in touch with your instructor if you don't perform as well as you would want.

If you're doing postgraduate work, find out which modules your company requires you to complete and focus on those if things get tough. The trick is to communicate with everyone so that there are no unpleasant surprises.

Age of postgraduate students in the UK

The following table shows the ages of postgraduate students in the United Kingdom in recent academic years. As you can see, there are a lot of mature students out there, so you'll be OK.

Source

Why is the demand for ‘Adult Education’ on the rise?

Over the last five years, there has been a renaissance in adult education, and we are currently seeing more mature students enrol in university courses than ever before. But why are so many older adults returning to university to pursue postgraduate degrees?

Combat unemployment

Due to their employment conditions, many students are returning to university to complete their master's degrees.

High redundancy rates have provided people with the option to enhance their education and increase their chances of landing their dream careers.

Competition for jobs has grown exceedingly severe, with hundreds of applications vying for the same positions, resulting in perfectly capable people being unemployed for extended periods.

Many people have returned to school and begun postgraduate studies to increase their prospects of finding work.

Career development

Because of the huge increase in the number of students obtaining undergraduate degrees, possessing this certificate does not necessarily set you out from the crowd any longer.

In competitive workplaces, having a postgraduate degree is becoming crucial to rise to higher managerial jobs, which means that people with goals to attain the top positions in their chosen sector must obtain their postgraduate degree to have a fighting chance.

Although there are many funding challenges associated with obtaining a postgraduate degree, the benefits of having this prestigious level of qualification are clear, and in many cases, the potential pay increases that will be offered for higher-level jobs will more than cover the course costs over time.

A master's degree essentially offers graduates a career fast track in many corporate areas, reducing the need to work their way up through the organization over an extended period.

Course flexibility

Postgraduate degrees are now available in a variety of packages, making them more accessible to individuals with obligations such as children, a mortgage, or an existing career.

Part-time courses are accessible for those who cannot afford to give up their jobs entirely, making it far more feasible for many people.

There have also been various distance learning courses introduced in recent years, allowing students to learn from wherever they are and to tailor their study time to their own needs.

This is fantastic news for parents who want to learn from home. Blended learning is also becoming more common, in which students learn largely online but then visit onsite for a short period operiodxample, one week in a semester - to attend lectures and tutorials at the university.