Mature Students
We're committed to mature students and those returning to education
We welcome all applicants who may not have come directly from school or college and who wish to return to education at different stages of their lives. This may include mature students – who are defined as a student who is over the age of 21 when they commence their studies.
The decision to enter higher education as a mature student can be a difficult one in terms of commitment and financial circumstances. However, the university will provide the support that you need to make the most of your time here.
If you are a mature student applying for an undergraduate course, you should submit an application through UCAS.
There are many pathways which can lead to degree level study, including:
- A-levels
- Access to HE courses (www.accesstohe.ac.uk)
- BTEC qualifications
- Open University Credits
We recognise that mature students may offer different qualifications and experience, which will be taken into account when we assess your application, it is important that you have adequate experience and/or qualifications to allow you to cope with academic demands of your course. However you may be made an adjusted offer to that we publish as our typical offer. This is called a contextual offer. You can find out what your contextual offer would be via this checker
Where programmes have specific subject requirements, grade adjustments may not apply to those requirements. Further details can be found on our course pages.
Additional eligibility criteria for contextual offers can be found here.
In addition to any programme-specific requirements, the University would normally expect evidence of some recognised systematic course of study within the three years prior to the start of a programme. Where an applicant meets our entrance requirements but qualifications were achieved more than three years ago, the application may be referred to the Admissions Tutor for consideration.
If you have any further queries with regards to contextual offers, please contact the Admissions team.
We advise that full details of any relevant work experience or other relevant information is provided within the application. More information and advice about applying to Exeter can be found on our how to apply pages.
Entry requirements
Offers to Access students will be conditional on passing the qualification with grades of merit and/or distinction in named units in some cases and may also include 6 L3 credits at pass grade in relevant unit[s] if GCSE English Language/Mathematics grade C or better has not been previously achieved. Typical offers will be updated on the UCAS website under individual programme requirements. Further information and advice about applying to Exeter can be found on our how to apply pages or by contacting Admissions at ug-ad@exeter.ac.uk or email mature-students@exeter.ac.uk
Mature Access Pathway in Further Education colleges
We deliver a Mature Access Pathway to Access to Higher Education Diploma students within several further education colleges in the South West. This pathway provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of university-level studies and helps them develop their academic study skills. It includes a range of resources such as talks, workshops, online content, and on-campus experiences. The participants also benefit from opportunities to work with university staff and mature student mentors, who provide them with the necessary information, advice, and guidance to make informed and confident choices about their future. The pathway aligns with the study skills modules on the Access to Higher Education course, thereby ensuring that participants receive the support they need to succeed both during their time at college and beyond.
Benefits of completing the Mature Access Pathway:
By successfully completing the Mature Access Pathway, participants will:
- Have an increased knowledge and understanding of what studying at higher education and the University of Exeter is like.
- Have an increased knowledge to make informed choices about higher education.
- Have developed key skills to help with both participants current studies and the transition to university-level study in the future.
- Have support available through the application process to higher education.
- Receive a guaranteed contextual offer*.
- Receive access to additional financial and pastoral support packages at the University of Exeter.
*By successfully completing the Mature Access Pathway, participants will be eligible for a guaranteed contextual offer (and/or guaranteed interview, where appropriate),* excluding Medicine.
*This applies to all University of Exeter Undergraduate courses that the applicant is eligible for. All offers and/or invitations to interview will be made subject to applications fulfilling all baseline subject specific and GCSE entry requirements, admissions tests, and interviews.
Applicants who receive an offer will receive up to a three grade adjustment or equivalent. However, if an applicant applies to a course that has specific subject requirements, or involves other exceptional criteria (such as an integrated Masters programme, a Year in Industry or Study Abroad), the contextual offer may be higher, or have additional subject-linked stipulations (such as studying a minimum number of modules in, or achieving a minimum score in, key subject areas.)
If you would like to find out more about the Mature Access Pathway and whether your local Further Education College is offering the Mature Access Pathway please contact the Mature Student Team.
Our Flexible Combined Honours scheme is available to those wishing to study part time, and some of our other undergraduate degrees are also potentially available by part time study. Please email mature-students@exeter.ac.uk for further help and advice on part time study.
For part time programmes you should apply directly to the University’s Admissions Office and not through UCAS. Application forms are available from the Admissions Office and should be returned between 1 September and 30 June immediately preceding the September entry.
For postgraduate study, information about studying part time, with a focus on programmes with flexible, modular or online delivery, is included in our postgraduate study website.
Our foundation programmes cover the core maths skills needed to progress on to a maths, engineering or physical science degree course. They are designed for those students from a variety of backgrounds who may not meet Exeter’s typical entry criteria, including mature students. Exeter is one of a very small number of Russell Group universities offering courses of this type, which provide a supportive route into higher education. These courses allow you to spend a year improving your maths skills and are made up of modules which act as building blocks for further advanced studies.
In support of the University’s Access and Participation Plan, these courses are only open to UK domiciled students from widening participation backgrounds who meet our contextual offer eligibility criteria and who may not have met the entry requirements for first year entry. In addition, for mature applicants, these qualifications do not need to have been gained within the last three years. See our undergraduate study pages for more information.
We’re proud to offer Degree Apprenticeships in partnership with employers. These are innovative new courses that combine university study with paid work in a professional role related to your degree. They offer a cost-effective way of obtaining a bachelor's or master’s degree whilst gaining valuable work experience.
Benefits include:
- No fees
- Earn a salary while studying
- Great employment prospects
- Full University of Exeter degrees
Lifepilot is a FREE one-stop careers information and advice website to engage and inspire adults 19+ to get back into learning/work/training and eventual progression to higher education (if appropriate).
Funded by universities in the SW and SE and managed by professional careers advisers, Lifepilot provides accurate, impartial and current information to support decision-making at all levels. Lifepilot helps adults at whatever stage they are at including:
- Moving on from a Level 3 college course
- Starting out with few qualifications
- Doing a course to prepare for degree level studies
- Choosing what, where and how to study for degree level studies
- Getting back into work through study
- Starting an apprenticeship
Lifepilot also offers useful tools including:
- Course and apprenticeship search
- Provider search
- Over 50 Job sectors and 100s of job profiles
- Higher Skills Map quiz
- Improve your skills for study activities
By creating a free account you can use Lifepilot’s Career Tools to build your own report and plan what you need to do next.
UK Armed Forces veterans and service leavers
If you are UK Armed Forces veteran and service leaver, there is a variety of information and support to help you with the application process and transition to university study.
Applying
The UCAS website for UK Armed Forces veterans and service leavers details lots of advice and guidance regarding the support that is typically available from higher education providers. This includes information about student finance, health and wellbeing through to the UCAS application and writing a personal statement.
Transition support
Veterans and researchers from the University of Exeter have developed the Veteran Connection Programme (VCP). The programme is designed to help you take control of your own health by offering valuable skills for managing this transition, find connectedness, and thrive in civilian life (and your studies!) going forward. This peer-facilitated group programme is built on decades of research on how social connectedness and support benefit for our well-being.
Further information can be found at Veteran Connection Programme
Armed Forces Covenant
In recognition of the value that serving HM Forces personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring, the University of Exeter has pledged their support to the HM Armed Forces community by signing the Armed Forces Covenant. The Covenant outlines the ways in which the University will demonstrate its commitment to the Armed Forces community
Further information about the University of Exeter’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant can be found here
If you would like any advice or guidance regarding applying to the University of Exeter, please contact the Mature Student Team who will be able to advise you.
What our students say
Meet some of our mature students! Click on each image to hear their story and how they have found life at the University of Exeter.
Supporting you through your journey
Enhanced Induction Events
Held at both the Exeter and Penryn campuses, these events aim to give you the opportunity to overcome any concerns that you may have about making the transition to study at the University of Exeter. It will include familiarisation with the practical aspects of campus, an overview of what to expect from Freshers’ Week, bring together expert advice from our support services and give you the chance to meet new people in advance of starting your studies.
Both campuses arrange and support Mature Students Together networking at the start of each term in September. For more information contact mature-students@exeter.ac.uk
Study Zone
Study Zone provides learning resources, drop-ins and workshops on a range of study skills topics, including:
- academic writing
- referencing
- time management
- exams and revision
- digital skills
All information about Study Zone’s services, including their online study resources and drop-ins, can be found on Study Zone Digital (current students) and on Study Zone’s website (prospective students).
Students studying on Penryn campus can also access support from ASK Academic Skills.
If you are aged between 21-25 your student finance may depend on your parents’ household income. However, your parents’ income won’t be counted if you are an ‘independent’ student and have supported yourself financially for three years before your course starts.
If you are aged over 25, how much student finance you receive will depend on your own circumstances rather than your parents’ household income.
Have you studied at higher education level before?
If you have studied at higher education level before then this may affect your eligibility for student finance. For more information go to www.gov.uk/student-finance/who-qualifies
Success for All Hardship Fund
The University, in partnership with its alumni community, has created a fund to offer additional financial support if you experience unexpected financial hardship which affects your ability to study within your current academic year.
We recognise that as mature students, you may face a number of unique issues, such as having pre-existing financial commitments or caring responsibilities, and these will be considered in your application. If you have dependents, or commuting is necessary for your course, please let us know and this will be considered in your application. Please note we will ask for supporting documents to evidence these costs.
Additional funding
The Mature students' scholarship will be open to applications from home undergraduate students starting their studies with us in 2024. You must meet certain eligibility criteria to qualify, further information can be found here
If you have children or an adult dependent you may be eligible for additional funding.
Further information on types of support available to mature students with children is available on the Students’ Guild advice pages and the Students’ Union at the Penryn Campus in Cornwall.
We understand that sometimes the best advice can come from those around you, and those who have been there, which is why we’ve developed a comprehensive peer support network for all our students.
This includes a pre-entry scheme that can provide useful support from August, prior to September entry to the University. You’ll receive more information about this when you’ve accepted your offer and we’ve sent you confirmation.
Students Guild/Union and societies
Our Students’ Guild (Exeter) and Students Union (Penryn) both place huge emphasis on supporting mature students in their first term of study, which is perhaps the most challenging time for mature students, particularly those who have been away from education for several years. They have societies and Facebook groups you can join helping you to meet others in a similar situation to you.
For further information please contact:
Exeter Campuses - maturestudents@groups.exeterguild.com
Penryn Campus – mature-students@exeter.ac.uk or Facebook Group
Limited car parking is available on Exeter campuses but a permit is required in order to use this.
You will need to live outside of the city or meet certain eligibility criteria to qualify for a permit.
For further information about applying for a parking permit please click here
Please see the Falmouth Exeter Plus website for information about parking at the Penryn Campus.