do universities have to take mature students?

[wannaBe]

I want to do a degree. I know what i want to do - there is only one university relatively nearby where I can do said degree so I have looked at the info on their website. but...

Although it says what requirements are, a-levels etc, I left school 16 years ago so all that is irelevant now. Last time I looked into this particular degree there was something on the site about needing an access to higher education course (something to do with proving that you'd studied in the past two years if you were a mature student) but that info seems to no longer be on their website.

could it be possible they don't take mature students? I went to school abroad so a-levels etc are irelevant here.

I have never known a University not to take mature students, most, if not all, offer access courses which are the equivalent to A'Levels. Phone up admissions for the University you want to go to and have a chat. There are often different qualification requirements for mature students (over 21), some do not even require qualifications as they value life experience more. Give them a ring and ask them.

I am a mature student at uni. I had an interview with the course leader, wrote a little essay for her and then did a computer session that graded my comprehension skills.

Life experience seemed to be the most important quality. Go for it, it's been the best thing ever for me.

I have just got onto a degree course having left school 10 years ago with GCSE's. Although I have done a course through the OU this year to prove that I can still do the work. I found the uni to be very helpful when I've spoke to them. Do they have an open day you can go to and speak to someone? Or just give them a ring like avenanap says.

ah that's interesting. It's a relatively involved degree so would have assumed that i would need something at least to gain entry, ie an access to further education etc.

Would be too late for this year anyway (?) so doing some kind of entry course would be possible this year if necessary, but will give them a call on Tuesday.

Prospect of studying is ve daunting esp as i would have to commute to uni but no pain no gain as they say .

It depends on the Uni, phone them and ask them if they have spaces (they probably won't have any for medicine though). It'll be the best thing you have ever done.

Kinda wish I'd done it when I left school now, but at the time had no idea what I wanted to do. Then a few years ago thought of two different careers, and the one I chose turned out not to be so now im thinking about this one, and I have the time now as ds is at school.

wannabe, i too was a mature student, i left school without a single qualification to my name. I did go back and do GCSE level courses and it was suggested that i do an access course. To which i said, yeah right, whatever, me? do a degree, pull the other one? I have a PhD now . So definately go back, it made such a difference to me (even though i dont use it at the moment SAHM).

To be totally honest, i would do an access course if there is one available, it is only another year and it will just bring you up to speed with modern study techniques etc. Alternatively, some unis offer foundation degrees, and seeing as you already have a level standard qualifications it might be the way to go.

What subject to you want to study? That will make a difference too i think.

SALT

That sounds interesting. I wonder then if they might not need the access course, because i did biochemistry and obviously needed the science background. I guess the SALT is quite vocational, and the theory to that wont have been covered in standard subjects anyway so you wont be lacking and you have already proven you can study to that standard. I bet experience would count for a lot more. HAve a chat to their admissions see what they say, maybe you could arrange to shadow someone for a while?

Good luck x

you can tell i have been on mumsnet a while - i didnt have to ask what a SALT is

career in SALT
familiarise your self with role of SALT
what SALT courses are avail
visit salt dept and talk to staff
visit Uni and dept ask questions meet course leader etc
some preparatory reading about job, course etc
many salt on Mn too

be aware graduate SALT job prospects are poor at the mo