Mature students

If you are 21 or over at the commencement of your undergraduate studies at Lancaster University, then you are classed as a mature student, and these pages are for you.

Some students walk past Lake Carter in the summer.

Advantages of being a mature student

Whether you want to explore a subject of interest, progress your career or change direction, returning to study as a mature student has many benefits.

At Lancaster, we value mature students’ wide range of life experiences and the skills each student brings to their degree. Maybe you are confident to speak in seminars due to your experience in work meetings, or you can consider different cultural perspectives in your projects after travelling, or you can manage competing deadlines efficiently with your parenting experience.

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Support, advice and guidance for mature students

So, you have the advantages which maturity brings, but returning to study after a gap can be daunting.

Whether juggling caring responsibilities, living some distance from campus, or having concerns about fitting in, you can feel confident that you are supported at Lancaster at every stage, from pre-arrival to graduation and beyond.

These services below are dedicated to helping mature students get the most out of their university experience.

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Support for student parents and carers

Trying to balance family commitments and your studies is not always easy, but support is available to help and make it work for you.

Financial support

The University offers scholarships and bursaries that can provide support to parents and families.

GOV.UK lists extra support is also available for full-time undergraduate students with children or dependent adults.

Facilities

On campus, we have a Pre-School Centre available so your children can be on campus when you are. There is also a baby care room, a fully sound-proofed facility dedicated to anyone caring for a baby on campus and equipped to support the expressing of milk. There is also a family study space - designed to give students with children a space on campus to study and relax while their children play, draw, or read. Facilities can be found on MazeMap

Academic and wellbeing

If you have difficulty managing your childcare or caring responsibilities alongside your academic studies, please let your department know, as they can help make adjustments.

Other support services

These services are available to all students at Lancaster but can particularly help mature students.

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Contact us

If you have any questions or queries that have not been answered on this page, please contact us.

Student Success, University House, Lancaster University, LA14YW

E: studentsuccess@lancaster.ac.uk