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Support for mature students
Find out more about the support we offer to help you return to learning.
If you are starting university after a break from formal education, we offer tailored support for you.
Students returning to study after being out of education for 3 years or more are classed as mature students. Mature students are over 21 when they begin their undergraduate degree.
If you have any questions about returning to study, you can arrange to chat to a member of our Widening Participation Team who will be able to offer advice and guidance about higher education, as well as the support offered at York St John.
Please use the form below to specify a potential date and preferred contact method (telephone call, video call, email or in-person at our York Campus), and a member of the team will be in touch.
Returning to study
Choosing to return to education is a big decision, and an exciting one. Many of our students are mature students, who bring valuable experience, motivation and perspective to university life. We have an outstanding record of supporting those students to achieve academic success.
When you’re thinking about studying again, it can help to consider:
- Your goals - What do you hope to achieve from further study, and will university help to get you there? This could be a career change, new skills, personal growth, or a deeper understanding of a subject that you are passionate about.
- Finances - Explore tuition fees, student loans, and any additional support that you may be eligible for, such as bursaries or childcare funding. More information on student finance can be found below.
- Time and commitments - It is important to consider how study will fit around work, family, or any caring responsibilities. If this is something that you are concerned about, our Widening Participation team can talk you through study options and available support to help inform your decision.
There is no right or wrong time to start university. Whether it’s been a few years or a few decades since you were last in education, there are plenty of ways to make it work for you.
Accessing higher education as a mature student
Discover how you can be supported in your higher education journey.
As a mature student, you can apply for all our undergraduate courses through UCAS if you meet the entry requirements listed on the course page of our website.
We also offer a mature student entry scheme, which considers non-traditional qualifications and experience. It enables us to welcome people with a passion for learning and a real determination to succeed.
If you have you been out of education for at least 3 years but hold a GCSE English Language at Grade C or an equivalent, this scheme could work for you, even if you do not meet the requirements listed on the course page.
Apply online or contact us to talk about your options. Learn more on our mature entry offer scheme page.
Whichever way you choose to apply, there are some key documents and pieces of information that you will need to provide.
We will need certificates from any previous qualifications from secondary school onwards. If your certificates have been lost or damaged, advice on how to replace these can be found on GOV.UK.
You will also be asked to provide a reference as part of the application process. If you are currently studying, a staff member from your course will be able to provide a reference for you. If you are not currently in any form of education, you will need to provide details of an alternative referee. If it isn’t possible to provide a reference from someone who has known you in an academic capacity, this can be someone who has known you in another professional capacity, such as an employer.
If you’re a mature student, you can apply for undergraduate student finance through the relevant student finance provider for your area (England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland) once you’ve applied to university. This support can help cover your tuition fees and living costs while studying. Applications for student finance usually open in March each year, but please check this with your regional provider.
Tuition fee loans cover up to the full cost of your tuition (depending on previous study), whereas maintenance loans to support with living costs are means tested. For university purposes, a mature student is anyone aged 21 or over. Student finance usually define mature students (also referred to as independent students) as anyone aged 25 or over.
- Students aged 25 and over are normally assessed on their own income and circumstances, rather than the household income of parents or guardians
- Students aged 21-24 are usually assessed on household income, which may include parents’ or guardians’ earnings.
- If you are under 25 but have been financially independent for at least three years before starting your course, you can apply to be assessed as an independent student. You will need to provide evidence of supporting yourself in that time.
Mature learner events
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Open days
Visit York St John University at one of our open days. Explore our beautiful campus and specialist facilities on a guided campus tour, and learn more about our courses from the academic staff who teach them.
Returning to Learning Café
Tuesday 24 February 2026, 5.00pm to 6.00pm.
Thinking about returning to education? Join us at York St John University for our Returning to Learning café. This is an informal, drop-in session for anyone over the age of 21 who would like to find out more about studying at York St John.
What to expect
At the event, you will:
- Find out more about life as a mature student at YSJ.
- Chat with our team and current students.
- Gain an insight on the courses we offer, available support, and the application process.
Tea, coffee, and cake will be available free of charge. Family and friends are also welcome, children included. Ambassadors will meet guests at DeGrey reception.
Hear from our students: Deciding to apply
Support for mature learners at York St John
Our Specialist Support Advisers are here to support students from backgrounds which are under-represented in Higher Education, including mature learners, parents, carers, and people who are the first in their families to go to university. They are here to offer you 1 to 1, practical advice and guidance on any issues that may affect your studies or university life and can support you throughout your degree. They will also help to connect you to other services that you may find helpful as a mature learner, such as our Study Development and Digital Training teams.
Mature Learner Induction
If you are a mature student you are invited to take part in our tailored Mature Learner Induction sessions that take place throughout Welcome Week.
We offer a programme of activities especially for mature learners, which runs alongside your Welcome Week programme and offers a range of tours, workshops and socials, giving you plenty of ways to get to know your university, your campus and each other.
When you have been given your York St John login information, you can access our YSJ For You online course. The course provides a number of modules to help you adjust to University life, including help understanding your timetable and managing your time, as well as a number of digital skills modules covering use of Microsoft Office and other software available for students.
As a very mature student I had struggled with imposter syndrome. Where I grew up, people didn't go to university and although I'd had a very interesting working life I had never had the opportunity to engage with higher education. Initially it was less a steep learning curve and more like face planting a cliff, but with encouragement and support I eventually started to believe that I could do it.
— Barbara, Human Geography BA
