Mature students - how old were you?

sunday_girl

Hi

I'm seriously considering going back to uni next year. I think I'm just looking for reassurance that some other people have done or are doing so at a similar age (I will be nearly 36 if I get in next year and 38 1/2 when I finish ). I really don't feel old but I need to be realistic about my prospects.

Also, how did you get on with your application? Were you expected to have lots of prior experience in the subject area?

Thanks

nonnatus

I was 35 when I started and 38 when I came out the other end!! Got divorced somewhere in the middle, made loads of new friends and now have a great new career. Absolutely go for it

sunday_girl

thanks nonnatus and well done! Were there a few other mature students on your course? Do you know if they have to have a certain number of is it based purely on merit? Sorry for all the q's!

Mrs_P_Pincher

My OH started his degree at the age of 55. They are a mixed group and he is the oldest by a long way, but one of the other guys is in his mid 30s. Either way they all get along fine. Id say go for it!

Mrs P P

sunday_girl

that's great...what is he studying? (if that's no too nosey?)

jammy26

I was 27 when I started my degree and was right in the middle of the age range of students on my particular course. I say go for it!

shiningdove

When i was at uni i had someone in my class who was a grandma.. ok a young grandma but she was 58. She got on with everyone just fine. She would of got on with us all a lot better, but she had quite an annoying personality... just OTT all the time.

dawnydee73

I am currently doing an access course and hope to go to uni next year, I am 37 and one of the oldest in the class but no one really cares how old you are.

Pee

I was 18, and since my birthday was in June, a very young 18. This meant that although I was fresh from A levels and used to studying and exams, I'd had no experience of living on my own, things like deciding when to watch tv, when to drink and when to go to bed, for instance!!!

Lots of the people on my course, I did Law, were older and they brought a lot of life experience to it, which i think made it easier for them. They were also much better organised.

One of my friends has now gone to Uni - just finished her degree and she'd be 37. She's a lot more focussed on work than a lot of my friends were.

If you are in your 50's, it might be hard to get work as a Trainee. People probably rather have a trainnee who is younger than them, and they won't be thinking un-pc things like when will you retire. That is not to say that they should and in my opinion the 50 year old trainees are probably the best value for money for the firm.

As you will be under 40, I don't see any difficulty at all.

sarahs999

My OH was 36. He was doing an MA in education, did extremely well and although he didn't really make lasting friendships on the course it was all very worthwhile. he did it for the quals, not the people!

Pee

dawnydee73 wrote: »

I am currently doing an access course and hope to go to uni next year, I am 37 and one of the oldest in the class but no one really cares how old you are.

I'm sure you won't be the oldest next year!