Mature applicant qualifications
Source: https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry-requirements/mature-applicant-qualifications Parent: https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/download-guide
As a mature applicant, you are expected to meet our standard (or minimum, if relevant) entry requirements, unless you also meet our definition of an adult returner. If you are an adult returner, we accept a range of alternative qualifications in place of our standard entry qualifications.
Definitions
Mature applicant
You are generally considered to be a mature applicant if you will be aged 21 or over at the start of your degree programme.
If you are a mature applicant who does not meet the definition of an adult returner, you will need to meet the standard entry requirements, or minimum entry requirements if you are a widening access applicant.
Understanding our entry requirements
Adult returner
We consider you to be an adult returner if you:
- have had a break of at least three years in your formal education
- do not have an undergraduate degree
- have completed relevant accredited study within the past three years
Some adult returners may be under 21 and so are not defined as mature students.
Qualifications we accept from adult returners
We know that if you are returning to education, you may have qualifications which are not listed in our standard and minimum entry requirements.
If you are an adult returner, we can accept a range of alternative qualifications in place of standard entry qualifications. These include:
- SWAP access programmes
- Higher National qualifications HNC/HND
- our Access Programme
- other college Access courses
- Open University modules
We also accept the City and Guilds Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management as equivalent to one A level.
Check the college website for the degree programme you are interested in for a list of qualifications we accept.
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences: adult returner applicants
College of Science and Engineering: adult returner applicants
For MBChB Medicine and BVM&S Veterinary Medicine, we do not make concessions for adult returner applicants due to the high competition for places. Instead, you must have achieved the same academic requirements as school-leaving applicants.
Medicine: adult returner applicants
Veterinary Medicine: academic requirements
You can find the college a degree programme is part of on the degree finder.
There's more information about arrangements for adult returners in our adult returners policy.
Admissions policies and procedures: see Adult returners to higher education (Policy)
Advice on returning to study
If you are considering returning to study, we recommend that you ask for advice from the relevant admissions team as early as possible.
Admissions staff can provide you with pre-application advice and guidance on the most appropriate route.
Previous undergraduate degree
If you already have an undergraduate degree, you can still apply to the University. However, where competition is high, we will give preference to students who have not had the opportunity to study at degree level.
Professional qualifications and work experience
In some cases, we may be able to consider professional qualifications or work experience to meet part of your entry qualifications, for example, as evidence that you meet subject specific entry requirements. If you think that this could apply to you, you must contact us before submitting an application.
There's more information in our recognition of prior learning policy.
Admissions policies and procedures: see Recognition of prior learning (Policy)
Evidence of recent study
We need to make sure that students are properly prepared for university-level study, otherwise there is a risk that they will struggle to succeed on their chosen degree programme. We look for evidence of recent study, which usually means within three years of the start of your degree.
There are a few exceptions for courses involving mathematics where we require your mathematics entry qualification to have been achieved within two years. These exceptions are listed on the relevant programmes in the degree finder.
Progressing from HNC or HND to the second year of a degree (articulation)
We do not have any formal articulation arrangements for guaranteed progression from an HNC or HND to our degree programmes. We do, however, accept some HNC and HND qualifications for entry to specific degree programmes, and entry to Year 2 may be possible if you have achieved high grades.
More information is available on the college websites.
Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences: adult returner applicants
Science and Engineering: adult returner applicants
Medicine: adult returner applicants
Veterinary Medicine: entry requirements
How to apply
For full-time study, you should apply through UCAS. For part-time study, you should apply directly to the University.
Applying for full-time study through UCAS
Applying for part-time study through the University
This article was published on 2026-01-29