For some of us, studying at university from the age of 18 just wasn’t possible. There are many reasons why this might have been the case, but it doesn’t have to mean you will never graduate with a degree in sports science or become a doctor of psychology. Studying as a mature student can be just as rewarding and beneficial. Continue reading for important considerations to make.
Finances
Ensuring you will be financially secure whilst undertaking studies is imperative. In your household, you could potentially be dropping one person’s salary and this could have a huge impact. If you were able to maintain a part time job whilst studying, this would really help your situation. Be sure to see if you are eligible for a student loan. This has a very low interest rate and needs only to be repaid once your personal income reaches a certain amount. It would also be worth checking if there are any bursaries available. Some universities offer scholarships especially for mature students.
Time
Studying for a degree might seem like it allows a lot of free time. However, there is a lot of self-study involved, particularly in your final (usually third) year when you may only have a handful of taught hours. Do your current commitments allow you enough time to do your studies justice? Although it is vital to allow yourself me-time, if your offspring miss out on time with their parent, you may regret the timing. Once on the course, set a certain amount of time aside each week to allow for coursework, exam revision and other types of necessary preparation. If you are going to do it, you need to make it worthwhile and do your absolute best.
Location
If you are single and without a great number of commitments, you could choose from any number of universities. Take time to investigate where would work best for you, whether it is Winchester University, which offers the perfect course for you or somewhere further afield in the United States perhaps. However, those of you with location-specific commitments, for example, children or elderly parents, will need to investigate options in your locality. Don’t limit yourself to the nearest university. Many colleges offer higher education courses, which are accredited by other universities.
Future Prospects
If your aim is to enter a new industry once achieving your degree, you need to make sure that the course you choose allows you to follow a direct route there. It may even be possible to find a sponsor within your chosen sector, ensuring you have a job at the end of your studies. If your undergraduate degree course leads on to a postgraduate qualification, it would be worth considering this. For some roles, this will allow access that is much more straightforward. Even if your degree does not open up opportunities as you initially hoped for, use the skills and qualities you have gained or refined during your studies. Time management and perseverance are both important things that you could easily require in the vast majority of roles, so sell yourself using these transferable skills as a base.