Mature Students

Source: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/wp-support/supportfor/maturestudents/#a3 Parent: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/departments/inclusion/

Current mature students

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Help and support

Sophy, Mature & Disabled student

Mature Students

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We're committed to mature students and those returning to education

We welcome all applicants who may not have come directly from school or college and who wish to return to education at different stages of their lives. This may include mature students – who are defined as a student who is over the age of 21 when they commence their studies.

The decision to enter higher education as a mature student can be a difficult one in terms of commitment and financial circumstances. However, the university will provide the support that you need to make the most of your time here.

Applying

If you are a mature student applying for an undergraduate course, you should submit an application through UCAS. Sections for personal details, academic qualifications, directly relevant work experience or other relevant information are provided within the application. More information and advice about applying to Exeter can be found on our how to apply pages – including guidance for seeking academic references for applicants no longer in a school or educational setting.

There are many pathways which can lead to degree level study, including:

A-levels
Access to HE Diplomas
BTEC qualiﬁcations
Open University credits

We recognise that mature students may offer different qualifications and experience, or have a non-standard educational pathway. While this can be taken into account when we assess your application, it is important that you have adequate experience and/or qualifications to allow you to cope with academic demands of your course. Outside of those qualifications listed on our undergraduate courses webpages, this list of accepted UK qualifications may be helpful to you.

You may also be made a lower offer to that we publish as our standard offer. This is called a contextual offer. Eligibility criteria for contextual offers can be found here, and you can assess your eligibility using our checker tool.

Where programmes have specific subject requirements, grade adjustments will not apply to those requirements. These are specified on our undergraduate course webpages.

The Admissions team are always happy to help with questions, and provide bespoke information, advice and guidance on your situation, application, and support for progressing to study with us. Please reach out to a member of the team at any time via email, phone, or via our online contact form.

Advice for Access to HE students

Offers to applicants studying Access to Higher Education Diplomas will be conditional on passing the qualification with a specific number of overall Distinction and Merit grades, and some courses will ask for a specific number of Distinctions and/or Merits in particular subject areas to meet specified subject requirements. Standard and contextual offers are listed on our undergraduate courses webpages, and on UCAS website under individual programme requirements.

Further information and advice about applying to Exeter can be found on our how to apply pages. If you would like specific advice, guidance or support on your application as a mature student, you can receive this from the Mature Students team at mature-students@exeter.ac.uk

Mature Access Pathway in Further Education Colleges

Mature Access Pathway in Further Education colleges

We deliver a Mature Access Pathway to Access to Higher Education Diploma students within several further education colleges in the South West. This pathway provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of university-level studies and helps them develop their academic study skills. It includes a range of resources such as talks, workshops, online content, and on-campus experiences. The participants also benefit from opportunities to work with university staff and mature student mentors, who provide them with the necessary information, advice, and guidance to make informed and confident choices about their future. The pathway aligns with the study skills modules on the Access to Higher Education course, thereby ensuring that participants receive the support they need to succeed both during their time at college and beyond.

Benefits of completing the Mature Access Pathway:

By successfully completing the Mature Access Pathway, participants will:

Have an increased knowledge and understanding of what studying at higher education and the University of Exeter is like.
Have an increased knowledge to make informed choices about higher education.
Have developed key skills to help with both participants current studies and the transition to university-level study in the future.
Have support available through the application process to higher education.
Receive a guaranteed contextual offer*.
Receive access to additional financial and pastoral support packages at the University of Exeter.

*By successfully completing the Mature Access Pathway, participants will be eligible for aguaranteed contextual offer (and/or guaranteed interview, where appropriate),* excluding Medicine.

*This applies to all University of Exeter Undergraduate courses that the applicant is eligible for. All offers and/or invitations to interview will be made subject to applications fulfilling all baseline subject specific and GCSE entry requirements, admissions tests, and interviews.

Applicants who receive an offer will receive up to a three grade adjustment or equivalent. However, if an applicant applies to a course that has specific subject requirements, or involves other exceptional criteria (such as an integrated Masters programme, a Year in Industry or Study Abroad), the contextual offer may be higher, or have additional subject-linked stipulations (such as studying a minimum number of modules in, or achieving a minimum score in, key subject areas.)

If you would like to find out more about the Mature Access Pathway and whether your local Further Education College is offering the Mature Access Pathway please contact the Mature Student Team.

Part time study

Some of our undergraduate degrees are available by part time study. Please email mature-students@exeter.ac.uk for further help and advice on part time study.

For part time programmes you should apply directly to the University’s Admissions Office and not through UCAS. Application forms are available from the Admissions Office and should be returned between 1 September and 30 June immediately preceding the September entry.

For postgraduate study, information about studying part time, with a focus on programmes with flexible, modular or online delivery, is included in our postgraduate study website.

Foundation Programmes

Our foundation programmes cover the core maths skills needed to progress on to a maths, engineering or physical science degree course. They are designed for those students from a variety of backgrounds who may not meet Exeter’s typical entry criteria, including mature students. Exeter is one of a very small number of Russell Group universities offering courses of this type, which provide a supportive route into higher education. These courses allow you to spend a year improving your maths skills and are made up of modules which act as building blocks for further advanced studies.

In support of the University’s Access and Participation Plan, these courses are only open to UK domiciled students from widening participation backgrounds who meet our contextual offer eligibility criteria and who may not have met the entry requirements for first year entry. In addition, for mature applicants, these qualifications do not need to have been gained within the last three years. See our undergraduate study pages for more information.

Degree Apprenticeships

We’re proud to offer Degree Apprenticeships in partnership with employers. These are innovative new courses that combine university study with paid work in a professional role related to your degree. They offer a cost-effective way of obtaining a bachelor's or master’s degree whilst gaining valuable work experience.

Benefits include:

No fees
Earn a salary while studying
Great employment prospects
Full University of Exeter degrees

Lifepilot: advice and guidance for mature students

Lifepilot is a FREE one-stop careers information and advice website to engage and inspire adults 19+ to get back into learning/work/training and eventual progression to higher education (if appropriate).

Funded by universities in the SW and SE and managed by professional careers advisers, Lifepilot provides accurate, impartial and current information to support decision-making at all levels. Lifepilot helps adults at whatever stage they are at including:

Lifepilot also offers useful tools including:

By creating a free account you can use Lifepilot’s Career Tools to build your own report and plan what you need to do next.

Advice & Guidance for UK Armed Forces veterans and service leavers

UK Armed Forces veterans and service leavers

If you are UK Armed Forces veteran and service leaver, there is a variety of information and support to help you with the application process and transition to university study.

Applying

The UCAS website for UK Armed Forces veterans and service leavers details lots of advice and guidance regarding the support that is typically available from higher education providers. This includes information about student finance, health and wellbeing through to the UCAS application and writing a personal statement.

Transition support

Veterans and researchers from the University of Exeter have developed the Veteran Connection Programme (VCP). The programme is designed to help you take control of your own health by offering valuable skills for managing this transition, find connectedness, and thrive in civilian life (and your studies!) going forward. This peer-facilitated group programme is built on decades of research on how social connectedness and support benefit for our well-being.

Further information can be found at Veteran Connection Programme

Armed Forces Covenant

In recognition of the value that serving HM Forces personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring, the University of Exeter has pledged their support to the HM Armed Forces community by signing the Armed Forces Covenant. The Covenant outlines the ways in which the University will demonstrate its commitment to the Armed Forces community

Further information about the University of Exeter’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant can be found here

If you would like any advice or guidance regarding applying to the University of Exeter, please contact the Mature Student Team who will be able to advise you.

What our students say

Meet some of our mature students! Click on each image to hear their story and how they have found life at the University of Exeter.

Jess, studying Classical Studies and Philosophy, Streatham Campus

When I started at the University I was a mature student but I knew I’d be able to meet a range of people with diverse backgrounds and ages. If you put yourself out there you will bond with a diverse group of people and age won’t be a factor.

My lecturers have been really helpful and supportive and always make themselves available. If you’re worried about anything, lecturers are always willing to help if you ask. Through a mixture of lecturers, personal tutors and peers, I feel there is a real sense of community at the University of Exeter.

Zac, studying Zoology, Penryn Campus

I went backpacking at 24 and I saw first-hand the effects of climate change. It led me to want to do my part, and that’s what inspired me to pursue this career. The Zoology course at Penryn looked amazing – the field courses, the course structure, and then when I visited on my offer holder visit day, the university just blew me away.

I was nervous about being a mature student. But the staff were so welcoming and open, and the student ambassadors I met when I visited really sold it to me – how there was this tight-knit community I could be part of. Being older, you wonder how much you’ll grow as a person, but I’m completely different to who I was in first year thanks to the friends I’ve made, of all ages and from all backgrounds.

Ernestina, studying LLB Law with Business, Penryn Campus

Due to taking some time out before university, I was classed as a mature student when I started at Exeter. I was a bit reserved at first as I thought everyone would think I was older but once I got to know people I realised it didn’t matter. No one made me feel like I was the ‘older one’.

I liked that the Penryn Campus wasn’t a busy place like some universities. I can go out walking and enjoy the environment and the scenery around me. There’s a lot of places you can visit. A campus environment made it easy for me to make friends as I’d see people around. It’s nice to be able to easily go to the library, get a coffee, and meet up with friends without having to travel very far. There’s definitely a community feeling.

Evie, studying History, Streatham Campus

I’m really glad I came to Exeter as a mature student. It was challenging going into an environment with people that have just left home and there are lots of assumptions of mature students, but it’s really great to know that you can go to university at any age.

The transition from an access course to university was quite hard. I overcame it by making good friends on my course. It took a couple of months to find that group but once I did it’s really good to have those people around. It’s great meeting other mature students you have a real solidarity with each other, for my second year I was on the committee for the mature students society.

Mark, studying Environmental Science, Penryn Campus

I worked for 8 years before applying so I’m a little bit older than most undergrads. I realised I wanted a career with more purpose, so that’s why I decided to try and get into the environmental sector. Through the university-supported Green Consultants scheme I’ve been able to get some real world experience in the sector and make contacts that could possibly lead to a job after I graduate.

I loved living in Cornwall. I didn’t visit the campus before I moved down but luckily it turned out great. I loved living by the sea and all of the outdoor activities I could get involved with. Because it’s a small setting, there’s a really strong and welcoming community. As well as making friends with other students, I got to know ship builders and local people in the community.

Katie, studying Marine Biology, Penryn Campus

I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I was doing my A-levels, so I just qualified and got a sensible job for a few years whilst I figured out what I wanted to do. A lot of people expect they’re going to be the only one who’s a bit different, and worry that they might not fit in, but actually the university is really great at addressing that. There are more mature students than you might think, and a lot of students that haven’t come from traditional backgrounds.

I still wanted to embrace the student experience. In first year I lived a short walk from campus in the Sidings in a flat with all mature students and that worked really well. I love the Penryn Campus. It’s a really great place to study, especially an outdoors based subject. We’ve got a natural living laboratory on the doorstep of campus.

Sophy, Exercise and Sport Sciences, graduate, St Luke's Campus

As a mature student on my course, the leaders went out of their way to support my learning, allowing for timetable adjustments and extensions during the pandemic when my daughter was home-learning, all of which made the world of difference to my outcomes. It’s not always easy; I have struggled at times to fit in with my peers, but my advice is to just get stuck in and show them that you are here to stay! So much so that I am now staying on to study post-grad, and through this perseverance, I have made some wonderful friends for life.

Being a mature student, you bring a wealth of additional skills and knowledge that are hugely valuable to higher education, and you can achieve remarkable things – don’t ever count yourself out. I finished my BSc with the highest accolade and an international research award under my belt too, I could not have even fathomed that 5 years ago when I had just completed my Access to HE course!

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Supporting you through your journey

Transition, academic and study skills support

Enhanced Induction Events

Held at both the Exeter and Penryn campuses, these events aim to give you the opportunity to overcome any concerns that you may have about making the transition to study at the University of Exeter. It will include familiarisation with the practical aspects of campus, an overview of what to expect from Freshers’ Week, bring together expert advice from our support services and give you the chance to meet new people in advance of starting your studies.

Both campuses arrange and support Mature Students Together networking at the start of each term in September. For more information contact mature-students@exeter.ac.uk

Study Skills

Study Skills provides learning resources, drop-ins and workshops on a range of study skills topics, including:

academic writing
referencing
time management
exams and revision
digital skills

All information about the Study Skill team’s services, including their online study resources and drop-ins, can be found on the Study Skills website.

Students studying on Penryn campus can also access support from ASK Academic Skills.

Financial support

Applying for student finance

If you are aged between 21-25 your student finance may depend on your parents’ household income. However, your parents’ income won’t be counted if you are an ‘independent’ student and have supported yourself financially for three years before your course starts.

If you are aged over 25, how much student finance you receive will depend on your own circumstances rather than your parents’ household income.

Have you studied at higher education level before?

If you have studied at higher education level before then this may affect your eligibility for student finance. For more information go to www.gov.uk/student-finance/who-qualifies

Mature Students' Scholarship

A limited number of scholarships worth £3000 are available for 2026/2027. Successful awardess will recieve £2000 in their first year and £1000 in their second year. Applications will open in September 2026. Registered students must meet certain eligibility criteria to qualify, further information can be found here

Success for All Hardship Fund

The University, in partnership with its alumni community, has created a Success for All Fund to offer additional financial support if you experience unexpected financial hardship which affects your ability to study within your current academic year.

We recognise that as mature students, you may face a number of unique issues, such as having pre-existing financial commitments or caring responsibilities, and these will be considered in your application. If you have dependents, or commuting is necessary for your course, please let us know and this will be considered in your application. Please note we will ask for supporting documents to evidence these costs.

Additional funding

If you have children or an adult dependent you may be eligible for additional funding.

Further information on types of support available to mature students with children is available on the Students’ Guild advice pages and the Students’ Union at the Penryn Campus in Cornwall.

Peer support

We understand that sometimes the best advice can come from those around you, and those who have been there, which is why we’ve developed a comprehensive peer support network for all our students.

This includes a pre-entry scheme that can provide useful support from August, prior to September entry to the University. You’ll receive more information about this when you’ve accepted your offer and we’ve sent you confirmation.

Students Guild/Union and societies

Our Students’ Guild (Exeter) and Students Union (Penryn) both place huge emphasis on supporting mature students in their first term of study, which is perhaps the most challenging time for mature students, particularly those who have been away from education for several years. They have societies and Facebook groups you can join helping you to meet others in a similar situation to you.

For further information please contact:

Exeter Campuses - maturestudents@groups.exeterguild.com\ Penryn Campus – mature-students@exeter.ac.uk or Facebook Group

Car Parking on Campus

Limited car parking is available on Exeter campuses but a permit is required in order to use this.

You will need to live outside of the city or meet certain eligibility criteria to qualify for a permit.

For further information about applying for a parking permit please click here

Please see the Falmouth Exeter Plus website for information about parking at the Penryn Campus.