Mature Students Guide Worcester University

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Getting into higher education as a mature student

www.worcester.ac.uk

University isnt just for 18-year-olds: 60 per cent of undergraduates in the UK are over 21

2 | To find out more information, visit us at www.worcester.ac.uk

People make the decision to get into higher education at all times of life and for all sorts of reasons. For some, its a long-held personal ambition perhaps one they have more time to achieve when theyre older. For others, higher education is a way of opening up new career options.

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Lifelong learning at WorcesterWere recognised for giving our students an outstanding education as part of a friendly, supportive community, living and learning in a beautiful riverside city.

Mature students at WorcesterIf you are a mature student, thinking of returning to study for professional development or personal interest, you will be in good company at Worcester 67% of our students are over 21 and 46% are over the age of 25.

We attract the most talented students from all educational backgrounds and positively welcome the contribution mature learners make to the University. Age and experience can be a distinct advantage with the skills, motivation and life experience you bring with you.

Quality degreesEstablished in 1946, we have a long history of quality teaching.

Our qualifications are rigorous and our staff have a reputation for new thinking and doing things differently. Organisations such as Ofsted and the Nursing and Midwifery Council have rated the quality of teaching here as outstanding.

Through innovative lecturing and the fostering of a positive learning environment, we help our students become the leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

Outstanding graduate employmentThe University of Worcester has one of the highest overall graduate employment rates for any English university with 15 out of 16 graduates in work or further study within six months of leaving.

I went into IT after school. A lot of what I used to do has been outsourced abroad and I wasnt happy in my job. I had few reservations about coming back to university. Its been a breath of fresh air to be doing something challenging again. Im studying part-time and have now done four years out of five and I love it.

Chris, mature student


A higher education qualification can demonstrate that you have skills and qualities valued by employers useful if you want to get on at work, or youre just looking to boost your employability in uncertain times.

Many employers support staff who want to improve their skills and some are even willing to help with course costs. And, if youre looking to change career, higher education could help you retrain and get where you want to be.

Professional qualificationsFor some careers, a higher education qualification is an essential starting point. You will find mature students at Worcester on a wide range of vocational programmes directly related to work areas such as Accountancy, Business Studies, Nursing or Education.

Climbing the career ladderHigher education can also help you progress in your current job. For example, people who have been working as teaching assistants may train as a qualified teacher and many qualified nurses take courses at Worcester as part of their professional development.

In terms of job prospects, the situation for older applicants is encouraging. Recent legislation means that employers cannot discriminate on the basis of age, and, for most positions, age limits are no longer appropriate.

Increase your earningsA university qualification demonstrates your ability to think and work independently and develops important skills such as communication, numeracy and information technology. In that sense, all higher education should increase your employability, helping you to find a fulfilling job and increase your earnings.

At the same time, employment issues need thinking through carefully: higher education is not the appropriate route for all careers and the right course for a particular career is not always obvious. If these are important issues for you, careers advice can be a useful starting point.

Personal goalsYour reasons for choosing higher education may be more personal than professional. Perhaps you have had a lifelong interest in a subject area which you want to pursue as far as you can. These personal goals help to make higher education a challenging and life-changing experience.

Higher education and your career

A fast-growing University that is well loved by students. Worcester is going places. Sunday Times, 2010


Our courses are designed to be flexible. If you want to vary the amount of time you spend studying from year to year, or even take a break for a while, you can.

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Supporting your studiesPart-time students: flexible studyThere are many reasons to consider studying part-time work commitments, family responsibilities or just a preference for working at a slower pace. It can also be a more affordable way to access higher education.

There are thousands of students studying part-time at Worcester, from short bites of learning to degree and postgraduate qualifications. Our courses are designed to be flexible. If you want to vary the amount of time you spend studying from year to year, or even take a break for a while, you can.

An undergraduate degree normally takes between 4 and 7 years to complete through part-time study. Although some professional courses, including Nursing and Midwifery, require full-time study, the vast majority of our programmes can be studied part-time. Explore the complete list of part-time courses on our website at www.worcester.ac.uk

Advice and guidanceNot many people arrive at university fully equipped and able to deal with university life and study from the outset. Most students, no matter their age, find that they need some assistance during their studies.

The University provides the best possible support we can to all of our students and we take an active interest in your progress and needs.

Academic tutoringDuring your time at university you will have regular opportunities to meet with an assigned member of academic staff, your Academic Tutor, in order to discuss and improve your academic, professional and personal development.

Student ServicesOur Student Services department can offer guidance on everything from pre-entry advice to study skills. We have dedicated teams for Disability and Dyslexia, Careers, Chaplaincy, Student Experience and Student Achievement, Financial Advice, and Mental Health and Counselling.

Student Services offer a range of programmes specifically for mature students, including mature student introductory days, IT workshops and study skills sessions (including evening sessions).

Information and Learning ServicesYou will receive a welcome pack during your first week to get you started accessing the resources and services. If you need extra help, you can sign up for a one-to-one session.

Students UnionThe Students Union provides a free, independent and confidential advice service to all students. There is a specifically elected officer who is responsible for the interests and concerns of mature students.


Caring for othersA large number of mature students, and particularly part-time students, are parents. Some others care for another family member or friend who, because of age, illness, or disability, cannot manage on their own. Parents and other carers may need to arrange help to allow time for their studies.

Childcare at WorcesterWe provide care and education for children aged from 3 months to 5 years. If you visit us at an Open Day, you can take a look around the facilities.

Nursery Fees currently for 2012/13 are: Children aged 3 months to

3 years: 3.73 per hour Children aged 3 to 5 years:

3.47 per hour Providing lunch:

an additional 1.95 per day There is a 10% reduction for

the youngest sibling

Students may book places hourly for a minimum of three hours for each day booked, per semester.

Parents with children aged 3 to 5 are entitled to up to 15 hours free nursery education and childcare per week during term-time. Further information is available from your local authority.

For further details about the nursery, telephone 01905 855277 or email: [email protected]

Financial assistance for childcareStudents with children may be entitled to Child Tax Credit, a Childcare Grant and Housing Benefit. For more information, you can visit www.direct.gov.uk

The Worcestershire Family Information Service provides free and impartial advice to families with children aged 0 to 19 years of age. You can contact them on 01905 790560 or by emailing [email protected]

Caring for other family members or friendsIf you care for an adult family member or friend, you may wish to talk to your local authority Social Services department. They are required by law to carry out a carer assessment, which looks at your needs as a carer, as well as the needs of the person you care for. If your needs change as a result of becoming a student (full or part-time), they will take this into account. Services such as respite care (a break from caring, for example around exam times) may be possible.

Making time for your studies

The University of Worcester has an excellent Ofsted registered nursery on campus.

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Living on campusMany students choose to live at home while they study in order to save money, or to be with their families. Some mature students do choose to live in university accommodation and the University of Worcester has a great variety of Halls, including specially designated postgraduate houses.

The University guarantees accommodation for all new, first-year undergraduates, provided they have firmly accepted their place by the UCAS deadline. For further information, visit our accommodation website at www.worcester.ac.uk/accommodation

Privately rented accommodationIf you wish to live in private accommodation, the Accommodation Office can help you with information and advice. The University is located in a pleasant and friendly Worcester suburb, not far from the city centre, with plenty of private options available.

Student accommodationThe University guarantees accommodation for all new, first year undergraduates, provided they have firmly accepted their place by the UCAS deadline.


Financing your studies may seem complicated at first, but weve put together some information to help make things clear.

Quick facts: Full-time undergraduate tuition

fees at the University of Worcester will be up to 8,650 for 2013/14

Part-time study will be charged on a pro rata basis

You dont have to pay up front for your course

You can get a loan to cover the cost of your tuition, which you only start to pay back when you are earning over 21,000 per year

You can find full details of our fees and funding on our website at www.worcester.ac.uk You can also contact us on 01905 855141 or email [email protected] to request a copy of our tuition fee fact sheet.

CostsMaking a decision to enter higher education is a huge step for any student, but is an even greater leap for those who have dependants and additional commitments outside their studies.

There are generally three main costs to consider when thinking about going to university: tuition fees (the standard annual fee for full-time undergraduate study for UK/EU students enrolling at the University of Worcester in 2013/14 will be 8,650); day-to-day living costs; and costs associated with study, such as course books, photocopying costs, childcare and travel to and from university.

For most students, there are government loans available to pay your fees, which are repayable once you have graduated and

are earning over a minimum amount.

Maintenance LoansThere are two different types of student loan:

TheTuitionFeeLoancoversthefees charged by the university or college. This loan is paid directly to the university or college.

TheMaintenanceLoanhelpstowardsday-to-day living costs such as rent and travel.

AlleligiblestudentscangetaMaintenanceLoanwhatevertheirhouseholdincome.

You wont have to start repaying student loans until you have left your course and are earning more than 21,000 a year.

Maintenance GrantsYou may also be able to get help with living costs through the Maintenance Grant, dependent upon household income. Its worth up to 3,250 for the 2012 academic year.

Around 40 per cent of new, full-time students are expected to qualify for a full grant and many more could get a partial grant.

For some groups of students, the Maintenance Grant is replaced by the Special Support Grant meaning that students on lower incomes may be able togetahigherMaintenanceLoan.

Funding your studiesA degree from Worcester is a great investment in your future. Its important to take the time to find out about the cost of living and studying here, so you know what to expect. There is plenty of help available and changes to the student loan system means that mature (including part-time) students can access funds more easily.

For the first time, part-time students

(provided its their first degree and theyre studying at least 25% of a full-time course) will no longer need to find the cash up front as theyll be eligible for tuition fee Student LoansCompanyloansonexactlythesamebasis as full-time students. Part-time students wont be eligible for maintenance loans or grants, but may qualify for a professional or career development loan (see www.direct.gov.uk for more details).

Its worth noting though, part-time students will begin to repay from April 2017 (it was April 2016 but this was extended for a year in October 2011), not at the end of their course. This could result in some students needing to start paying back tuition fee loans before they graduate (if earning over 21,000).

Some courses, including Nursing and Teaching programmes, offer bursaries. Visit our website at www.worcester.ac.uk for full details.

Working while studyingIf you need to continue earning while you study, part-time and flexible courses can be combined with work. If you arent already in employment, our Earn as You Learnschemecanhelpyoufindajobon campus or with a local employer.

Visit our website or request a copy of our EarnasYouLearnleafletbyemailing [email protected] for further details.

Financial adviceIf youd like confidential and informed financial advice before, during and after your studies, the Universitys Student Welfare and Financial Advisors can be contacted on 01905 855501/542901 or email [email protected]

Our advisors can provide information on a range of financial issues including loans, grants, trust funds, budgeting, debt management and welfare benefits.

Help with fees and funding

Specific advice and help for mature students who are thinking of returning to education can be found at:

www.ucas.com /students/maturestudents/furtheradvice

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Applying to study at WorcesterEntry qualificationsEntry requirements are designed to make sure you are sufficiently prepared to follow your chosen programme of study. The University of Worcester recognises a wide range of entry qualifications, and admissions staff pay careful attention to your overall profile of qualifications, experience and abilities. This is particularly true of mature students.

The standard entry requirements (e.g.ALevelsatcertaingrades)canbefoundon individual course pages in our prospectus and on our website at www.worcester.ac.uk If you would like to receive a hard copy of our prospectus, get in touch with us on 01905 855141 or email [email protected]

Mature students are considered on an individual basis and admissions staff may look at alternative qualifications, or other evidence, including life experience, which could benefit you on the course and assist you in completing it successfully.

Routes into higher education for mature studentsSome mature students get into highereducationwithALevelsor with equivalent, work-related qualifications (like NVQs or a BTEC).

If you dont yet meet our entry requirements, you may wish to consider an Access course. Access courses are programmes specifically designed to offer an alternative route into higher education for older students and are available throughout the UK. They are mostly offered through further education colleges, adult education facilities, community centres and colleges and universities. Most courses are modular in structure so you

can build up credits at a pace that suits you and your circumstances. There are full and part-time Access courses. Find out more information and search for QAA-recognised courses at www.accesstohe.ac.uk

Traditional qualifications arent always necessary. We may be able to give you credit for professional qualifications or relevant work experience. We wont always ask for formal qualifications because the course itself has units aimed at giving you the right study skills and foundation knowledge.

If you have any questions, contact our Admissions team on 01905 855111 or email [email protected]

Making an applicationFull-time study All applications for full-time courses in higher education have to be submitted through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). www.ucas.com

Part-time study All applications for part-time degrees and other courses should be submitted directly to the University of Worcesters Admissions Office.

Interviews You may be invited to attend an interview. The idea of your interview is to give you a greater opportunity to demonstrate your suitability for your chosen course. This can be particularly useful if you do not have standard entry requirements. Your interview is also an opportunity for you to explore whether the course and the University are right for you. If you are coming for an interview, think about all the questions you want to ask about the course, as well as the things you want to say about yourself.

University of Worcester contacts:

University of Worcester Admissions Office Information on applications, entry requirements and term dates Tel: 01905 855111 [email protected]

Communication Department To book a place at an Open Event, arrange a campus tour or request a prospectus Tel: 01905 855141 [email protected]

Accommodation Office Queries about accommodation, both on and off campus Tel: 01905 855300 [email protected]

Student Services Incorporating: academic, financial and disability support Tel: 01905 855502 [email protected]

Worcester Students Union SU activities and welfare advice, clubs and societies, volunteer opportunities www.worcsu.com

External contacts:

Directgov Information on all aspects of higher education and financial support for students Tel: +44 (0)845 300 5090 www.direct.gov.uk

NUS National Union of Students Information about all aspects of university life www.nus.org.uk

UCAS Universities and Colleges Admissions Service ApplicationsGeneraladviceandguidanceregarding

university entrance, choice of degrees, etc. Tel: +44 (0)871 468 0468 www.ucas.com

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Mature Students Guide Worcester University