Mature Student FAQs

You are considered a mature student if you are aged over 21 at the start of your undergraduate course.

As a mature student, you can study any course offered by the University of Chester, provided you meet the entry requirements. 

If you don’t meet the requirements for a degree programme, you may be eligible for a foundation year, which provides an alternative route into higher education for mature students.

Your timetable will depend on which course you are studying, but you will be required to attend in-person sessions on campus as well as undertake independent study. Timetables are usually released at the end of August, giving you time to plan around work and family commitments.

Mature students make up a significant part of our learning community, so our mature student base is diverse with a range of ages and backgrounds. Around 42% of our full-time, undergraduate student population is mature.

Applications for full-time study are made through UCAS. You will need to register for a UCAS Hub account, and then you can complete your application online. 

Our course pages detail the entry requirements for each course. However, if you’re unsure if your qualifications are suitable, please email our Mature Student Advisor at matureadmissions@chester.ac.uk with details of your qualifications.

We consider applications individually, taking into account both academic qualifications and relevant work experience.

Some of our courses require an interview or audition as part of the selection process. If you are invited to an interview, we will provide full details in advance so you can prepare. An interview may also be required if you do not meet the standard entry criteria for the course you are applying for.

As a mature student, you may be eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan to pay your course tuition fees and a Maintenance Loan to help with your living costs. You may also be able to access extra funding if you’re on a low income, are disabled or have children. If you’ve studied in Higher Education previously, it is important to check your student finance eligibility (even if you didn’t receive funding for your previous course).

Information regarding additional bursaries available can be found on our bursaries and scholarships page.

If you are a healthcare student, you may be eligible for additional support from the NHS Learning Support fund.

Balancing multiple responsibilities is a common challenge for mature students, so getting organised is essential. Planning ahead for deadlines and blocking out time for fixed commitments, such as lectures, work, and family can make a big difference. Using a calendar or planner to schedule your study sessions around these commitments will help you visualise your week and stay on track.

Every undergraduate has a Personal Academic Tutor who’s there to support your progress and answer any questions throughout your time at university. Our Academic Skills team can help build your confidence in writing, maths, and statistics skills, tailored to what your course needs. Plus, the Library Learning and Teaching team can guide you in finding and using the best resources for your assignments.