Just applied to university. Mature student!

[CustardCreamTeaDunker]

I’ve just applied to university, business management with a placement year. I became a mother straight after sixth form, so I haven’t got any work experience or education for the past 8 years! Although I do meet entry requirements, so who knows. It’s for this September, I suppose worst case I can look into courses at the local college for something fresher on my CV.

I’m so nervous. Even if I do get in, I could well be the only mature student. No real point of this post other than a ramble.

Well done! I have recently started an MSc late forties over here! It's bloody hard work but brilliant!

The unis are desperate for students this year so I think you stand a good chance of getting in if you have the qualifications. Good luck!

Well done you! I'm waiting to hear I've I've been accepted onto a SaLT degree. It's exciting and nerve-wracking all at once

Well done!

I was in the same situation as you - last year they didn't take me for uni - so I did an access course ... this year I've had 5 unconditional offers and I'm 31!

You've got this

Well done OP, I hope you love the course.

I went to university at the age of 33. I made friends with another mature student in my year who was 50. It was a fantastic experience, loved all three years of it.

Good luck OP! I did my PGCE at 27 and MSc in my late thirties. For those I suppose you had to be a bit older to have the relevant qualifications to get on the courses in the first place, but there was a man on my first degree in his 70s, maybe even older actually.

Amazing to hear of those who did/ are doing so well as a mature student and/or knows others who are! Very reassuring, and perhaps slightly more hope I won’t be the only one too! I’m feeling rather excited now, fingers crossed I get in! And best of luck to everyone who is starting or for the rest of their studies.
@ElzP That’s very interesting, perhaps I need to look at access courses and reapply for next September if I’m turned down this year. It’s hard when you’ve been out of work/ education for so long!

It’s like riding a bike. I hadn’t written an essay for 12 years. My tutor said she was quite surprised when I handed the first one in.

@InTheCludgie good luck with OT, that's what I have applied for. Where have to applied if you don't mind me asking. I have 2/3 offers and am awaiting interview for the last one.

OP, if you do t get in this year then you could try an access course? I did one years ago and it's definitely helped me get in this time

You'll do great OP! We had plenty of people over 30 on our course when I was at university, they have gone on to do awesome stuff after graduating, and their experience and different perspectives on things were so useful and valuable to me.

Also the sandwich year degrees can be a bit more competitive than those without, but as long as your personal statement was strong no reason you won't get in.

@sandybval oh no! I didn’t know it was harder to get in with a placement year, but it makes sense, the experience will look good on your CV.
I’m not how strong my personal statement is, honestly I knocked it up in 30-45 minutes and had my husband proof read it for me. Probably not looking too optimistic. I’ll maybe need to do an access course first perhaps.

@DaffodilsAndDandelions I need to look at funding, I’m not sure I’m eligible as have A Levels, but I’ll have a proper look this evening I think. But that might be the way forward.

@CustardCreamTeaDrinker

www.gov.uk/student-finance-register-login

Good luck :)

Daffodils its Glasgow Caledonian. Cant really apply for anywhere else, got a mortgage, husband and two kids here what about you?

OP I went to uni as a mature student but didn't have to do an Access Course because I had two A levels. However, I did have to do A level Eng Lit because that what I wanted to study. Also had to do GCSE Maths to take a PGCE course later.

Don't worry about bring a mature student, uni and FE college were packed with them! Tutors tend to like mature students as they do the work and contribute to tutorials.

Good luck and enjoy it!

@InTheCludgie I've got offers for York St. John and Cumbria (Carlisle) really want to go to Teesside though as it's closest. Like you I can't move so need to be in travelling distance.

@CoRhona sent you a pm instead of spamming @CustardCreamTeaDunker thread

Just be prepared to look for a job for your placement year yourself.
Many universities don't help with that.
One of my friends son was on the course with placement year and discovered that university only help with writing CV and interview technic but don't actually provide a placement. He spent ages looking for a placement, couldn't find anything and went into third year.

I’ve worked in university admissions for a few years and part of the entry requirements is ‘recent study’, so even if someone meets the entry requirement, if their qualifications are more than two years old they wouldn’t get into our undergrad programme. I don’t mean to be a downer! But it might be worth contacting them to ask so you’re prepared.

Good luck with it though! I left school with a couple of qualifications because I dicked about and put in no effort. I did an evening college course around my 9-5 jobs when I was 24, then did an online BA in business management when I was 26. Stayed with the same uni to do my MSc online at 28 and last week I found out I’m graduating with distinction.

I’m now 30 and after working full time since I was 17, today I said my goodbyes to my workplace as I’m about to start a funded PhD. Studying as a mature student opens up doors you’d never even considered before!