Over 21 years old and looking to start your journey into higher education? You're not alone. Find out what it's like to be a mature student at Bath Spa and what support is available to you.

In this section

Whether you’re returning to education after a break from studying or looking to start a new career, university could be for you. You don’t have to have traditional qualifications such as A-levels to study with us - we'll accept qualifications such as the Access to Higher Education Diploma too. We’ll also take your working life, your general educational background and your experiences into account. We assess what’s known as ‘prior learning’ (APL) and ‘prior experiential learning’ (APEL) as a foundation for study in higher education.

For more information read our Accreditation of Prior Learning Policy.

We offer a range of courses that can help you to:

  • Learn new skills
  • Improve your career prospects
  • Continue your professional development
  • Gain new life experiences.

Who are mature students?

According to UCAS, the term 'mature students' refers to anyone going to university or college after a period of time out of full-time education.

A mature student:

  • will typically be over 21 years of age at the beginning of their undergraduate studies or 25 years old at the beginning of their postgraduate studies
  • often balances their studies alongside work or caring responsibilities
  • may have studied on an Access to Higher Education Diploma prior to starting their degree, or have enrolled onto their degree course based on their work or life experiences.
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Returning to study

 

"You might be thinking: will I be the only mature student? Am I going to stand out? I would say the answer to that is no. I have found Bath Spa to be a really welcoming community with a range of different people."

We asked one of our undergraduates what it's like to be a mature student at university.

This is her story. 

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The Access to Higher Education Diploma

Studying on an Access to Higher Education Diploma course is another option if you'd like to go to university but don't currently have the qualifications needed to study at undergraduate level.

If you live in the South West, places like Bath College, Strode College and Weston College provide the option to study for this qualification in a variety of ways; part time, full time and distance learning.

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Student experiences

Contact

Need specific advice about your qualifications or have a query about applying to Bath Spa University? Please email your enquiry directly to our Admissions Service: admissions@bathspa.ac.uk.

Alternatively, you can contact our Access and Participation Team, who will be happy to help, at: ap@bathspa.ac.uk