Mature Students
Life at the University is exciting. It exposes you to new ideas, opportunities,
and people. As a mature student you are in very good company: approximately
22 per cent of our undergraduate students were considered 'mature' in
2011-12, and the vast majority (i.e. eighty per cent) were studying full
time.
We understand that your life and professional experience
may vary considerably from fellow students, as
may your individual needs. There are many facets to
being a student: being over 21 is just one of them. We aim to provide you with the right
range of support and guidance to ensure that you
enjoy your studies and your overall experience. We appreciate that studying
as a mature student can present challenges. This is
particularly true if this is your first experience of
higher education and you have other commitments and
responsibilities to meet such as work and family. We
want you to be aware of the support available so that
you can make the most of your time at Essex.
Hear about Deana's experience of being a mature student:
If you cannot watch this video you can also watch it on our
Vimeo channel.
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Ways to meet fellow mature students
Join the Mature Student Society (MSX)
Contact the Students' Union Mature Students of Essex Society (MSX) to
find out about opportunities to get to know fellow mature students such as
peer support and social activities. It’s never too late to join! Visit their
website or their
Facebook page for more information about their events.
Visit the Postgraduate and Mature Student Common
Room (Room 5.401)
Why not drop by the Postgraduate and Mature Students
common room? Other mature students studying
undergraduate or postgraduate courses meet there. To
find out when other mature students meet. Contact the
MSX (website
or
Facebook) or e-mail msg (non-Essex users add @essex.ac.uk).
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Ways to stay connected
Subscribe to our e-newsletter
For news about forthcoming activities - e.g. social events, study skills
or careers workshops - read our regular e-newsletter:
If you do not already subscribe, add yourself to the
Mature Students mailing list to receive updates on the e-newsletter and
other mature student-related information. You will need to enter
campus\username and your password to open the link. Then, click 'join'. You
can unsubscribe at any time.
Listen to experiences of other students
Our students are keen to share
their experiences.
Read the 21+ Blog
Follow fellow mature students as they blog about
their experiences at Essex
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Workshops and resources for mature students
For undergraduate students
Contact the University Skills Centre by e-mail usc
(non-Essex users add @essex.ac.uk) to find out about opportunities to develop your skills in:
- critical reading and note-taking;
- time management;
- referencing;
- managing stress;
- essay planning; and
- revising for exams.
Don't hesitate to contact your Department, School or Centre for study skills advice and support as well.
"Talk to people on your course about the material you are studying. Many people will share ideas which stimulates both good academic
discussion, developing ideas for essays and assignments but also friendships within departments," suggests Chris from the School of
Computer Science and Electronic Engineering.
For postgraduate taught students
Study skills advice and support is available via the
University Skills Centre and through your
department,
school or centre.
For postgraduate research students
Study skills advice and support is available via the
University Skills Centre, your
department,
school or centre and
Proficio.
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Life, work, study, and funding
Life, work and study
View a list of useful
links to webpages which might help you during your time at Essex.
Funding
Don’t forget to apply for your course funding. If you haven’t already
done so, there’s still time to apply online with
Student Finance England
or NHS, though please plan
ahead as your funding may not be in place for the very start of term.
Tuition fees for new students can be viewed
online.
Did you know?
Did you know that in 2011 the University was shortlisted for a Times
Higher Education award for providing outstanding support to mature students?
We would love to hear
your ideas about how we can continue to enhance the student experience.
Read the summary from our project report.
Hear about Steve's experience of being a mature student:
If you cannot watch this video you can also watch it on our
Vimeo channel.