How does this work for Mature Students?

[kmo0416]

Oxbridge courses start in October of each year. A mature student is aged 21 and above.

If someone was born in say, January of 2006 and applies for October 2026 entry so two gap years, would that make them a mature student or not? This is as they would start university aged 20 but then turn 21 later in their first year of study.

This is asked as Oxbridge have slightly different rules for mature students.

Also, I suppose this questioned could be applied to other universities as well.

It's just confusing because someone born in September of 2005 is in the same academic year as someone born in January 2006 as they would both have finished Sixth Form in August 2024. But, I assume that the person born in September 2005 would be considered a mature student if they were to apply for October 2026 entry. But, how could that be if they are part of the same year group?

You need to be 21 at the start of the course, not turning 21 in your first year, so your Jan example would not be a mature student. I'm unsure what happens with September birthdays, and if they are counted as mature students essentially a year earlier.