Francesca Burke shares her experience of being a mature student at BSU.
Mature students are defined as aged 21 and over at undergraduate level or 25 and over at postgraduate level. This means there is huge variety amongst mature students in terms of their reason for wanting to enrol in higher education, and in the challenges we sometimes face.
As students who may have spent time at work, undertaking caring responsibilities or exploring other paths before attending or returning to university, we bring a different experience and perspective to the classroom.
Choosing to go to university as a mature student
There were two big reasons I chose to come to Bath Spa when I was 26. The first was that it felt like the right time to challenge myself to learn new things.
I applied for a business degree in my hometown, but Covid happened and the course was cancelled a few weeks before it was supposed to start. So I enrolled in an Access to Higher Education Diploma in Business Management because I wasn’t sure what else to do with my time!
When I repeated the UCAS process that year, I switched to Religions, Philosophy and Ethics at Bath Spa. Religious Studies was my favourite subject at school but I failed the A Level, so Religions, Philosophy and Ethics felt like a huge challenge but one I was ready for.
The second reason I chose to come to Bath Spa was to live somewhere new. A friend who came to Bath Spa recommended Bath as a city, so I visited and loved it… and here I still am, five years later.
Challenges of being a mature student
One challenge I experienced was feeling anxious about being an older student. At 26 I wasn’t that much older than my peers – I’ve met mature students of every age – but I felt really out of place in the first few weeks of semester one.
I tried to remember that everyone feels out of place for the first few weeks of semester one and concentrated on joining societies, including the , and generally having a go at every new thing I encountered. Sometimes it was awkward, but by semester two I settled in and made good friends on my course and in my halls of residence.
Another challenge was one that’s relevant to students of all ages: planning my time. I’m a freelancer, so as well as studying I was juggling client work and, from my second year onwards, casual jobs at BSU. I’m not someone who was born organised, but good time management comes with practise – and investing in a good planner.
A final challenge was another I think many of us experience: getting to know a new city. A lot of mature students commute to Bath Spa from the surrounding towns and cities, but many have moved to Bath from further afield, or only come into Bath for uni.
I had friends in Bristol, which was really helpful, but what helped me get to know Bath was walking around the city centre, learning bus routes and figuring out local landmarks. Once you try a couple of independent coffee shops and learn which church is actually Bath Abbey, you’ll be fine.
If you have classmates or housemates who are new to the city, I really recommend a guided tour – I did a haunted walking tour of the city centre on my first Halloween here, and it was a really fun way to get to know Bath.
Highlights of studying at BSU
There are so many facilities at BSU that you can use for free for your degree or for a hobby – or for practice or experience in something you might end up doing as a career.
In my time as a student I’ve spent time in the Film and Television studios, made use of Library services such as inter-library loans and digital databases, and utilised Locksbrook Campus for social events and to use professional services like the Student Hub without going all the way up to Newton Park.
I study at Newton Park, but both campuses are open to all students. I’ve also had appointments with the Academic Skills team, who are a fantastic compliment to the course support provided by academics.
There are so many opportunities for creatives too. I’ve received for funding for my creative work through the Careers team, utilising the Go From Zero scheme, and I joined Juno House as a freelancer.
If you’re interested in travelling abroad as part of your undergraduate degree, you can apply for a semester abroad and also join the Global Citizenship Programme. As part of Global Citizenship, I attended evening lectures and had the opportunity to undertake international placements or semesters abroad – I went to the University of Crete for summer school to learn modern Greek.
Experiences outside the classroom
There’s as much to university outside the classroom than there is inside it. I joined several clubs and societies, eventually becoming co-president of the Mature Students’ Society, and took advantage of Bath Spa’s work opportunities to be a Library Support Assistant, Campus Life Ambassador and Outreach Ambassador.
You are under no obligation to do multiple, or any, BSU jobs, although you will collect a vast array of coloured t-shirts.
I was a student rep as an undergraduate and many of my peers really enjoyed being Student Community Leaders, so there is plenty to get involved with at the Students’ Union too.
Got questions about joining BSU as a mature student?
Contact the Access and Participation team by emailing ap@bathspa.ac.uk or get in touch with the Mature Students’ Society by emailing SU-MatureStudentsSociety@bathspa.ac.uk.