Can You Go to University When You’re Over Thirty

Higher education for adults can be a stressful thought. Not only is it expensive, but for many, the thought of entering into a class full of much younger students can be stressful and even demotivating. That said, going to university at thirty, forty, or even fifty can also be a life-changing and incredible experience, and that’s what we’d like to talk about today.

Can Adults go to University?

Going to university later in life is actually far more common than you might think. Studying as an adult isn’t always quite the same experience that younger students get, but it can be just as valuable.

Why Should You Study As An Adult?

Going to university is a big decision, no matter which stage of life you’re in. Before jumping headfirst into a course, it’s important to think about why you’re going to university and what you plan to get out of it.

The primary reason is almost always going to be career-related. Perhaps you want a better-paying job, or perhaps there’s a field you’d love to get into but need to be qualified for. If this is your reason, then make sure to do your research. Universities will often try to tell you that one of their courses can lead you straight into a job. Make sure to check them on this.

Ask people in your chosen field what they studied. Look at current job listings. You might even consider reaching out to hiring managers to ask what kind of qualifications you should be aiming for if you wish to work for a company like theirs in the future.

Of course, jobs aren’t the only reason people go to university. Many people study out of a genuine passion for learning, and this only increases as you reach higher academic levels. It’s quite common to see older students working towards Master’s and PhDs simply because of a genuine academic interest. Even in undergraduate courses, you’ll find many students with no exact career plan – they’re just here because they want to learn more.

If that’s your reason for going to university, then you’re sure to have an incredible experience. You’ll meet academic experts in your subject and be surrounded by people who are passionate about knowledge and learning. That said, be sure to genuinely research the costs beforehand. A student loan is a perfectly manageable expense for many people, but it’s important to understand what that means before going ahead.

Finance for Independent Students

If you’re applying for university over the age of 25, you’ll be considered an independent student. This means that the amount of funding you receive will be means-tested based on your household income. It can also vary based on whether you have children, are a carer, or are married/in a civil partnership.

That said, while it can be difficult, it is possible to fund yourself as an independent student. Some courses are even willing to let you study part-time to accommodate your work schedule. Where you choose to study can also make a huge difference to affordability, so if you suspect you may struggle financially, it’s worth researching the cost of living in the area you choose to study.

Returning to University

If you’re going to university for the second time, things could be more complicated.

If you’re continuing along the academic route you started – progressing from an undergraduate to a master’s in a similar or related field, for example – then you’ll likely need to fund a large part of your education out of pocket. There are bursaries and discounts that exist for specific fields, but the general assumption is that people work full-time for a few years before going on to do further education.

Some students decide to do a second undergraduate degree in an entirely new field. This is perfectly possible and can even be funded by student finance if the degree is on the approved list and a certain amount of time has passed since you did your first degree.

It’s also sometimes possible to fund higher education via an apprenticeship/internship.

Should You Study Remotely or In-Person?

In the UK, many mature students choose to study with the Open University rather than an on-campus institution. These students tend to be those who are studying for career reasons rather than because they’re looking for any kind of social experience.

Open University courses are often geared towards mature students and are, for many, the ideal option, allowing them more freedom to study remotely and in their own time. That said, it won’t provide the same kind of academic experience you might get at an in-person institution. At the end of the day, it all depends on why you’re doing it.