Close
Specific support is available for mature students to help you get the most out of your time at university.
Mature students are defined as those who are 21 years or older on the day they start their first undergraduate degree. They may have taken a gap year, or have been away from education for work, family or personal reasons.
As a mature student, you have access to the same support services as any other student. You can find out more about these services by exploring the Student Support and Wellbeing website. We also offer a range of specific support services for mature students.
- Seeing an adviser
We recognise that as a mature student, you may have several responsibilities to manage outside your studies and that this can become overwhelming. If you are facing any issues related to your wellbeing, health or a disability, you can speak about it in confidence with a member of our team.
Our advisers are familiar with many of the issues that mature students face and will be able to provide you with support or signpost you to other services.
- Personal Tutors
At UCL, every student is provided with a Personal Tutor (or supervisor if you are a research student), who takes an interest in them as an individual and who offers guidance on their overall academic progress and personal and professional development.
When you become a student at UCL you will be allocated a Personal Tutor, who will normally be a member of teaching staff but not necessarily teaching courses on your programme.
If and when needed, the Personal Tutor provides a safety net for the students' physical, mental and emotional welfare. However, the normal tutoring role provides guidance on a more everyday basis, so that the student can independently balance the academic and extracurricular elements of their learning and development.
- Students' Union UCL
Mature students at UCL are represented in the Students' Union by the Mature and Part-time Students' Officer. You can reach out to them if you want to speak with a fellow student who has gone through a similar experience.
They organise events for mature students and have created a Facebook community to bring together mature students across the university and to provide you with a network of peers who you can share your experience with.
If you require advice about any issues related to housing, university, money, employment, or another concern, you can contact the Advice Service to receive support.
- Students with children
If you have children, UCL offers facilities and support to help you manage your studies alongside your life as a student parent.
- Further reading
'The Mature Student's Handbook'
Author: Lucinda Becker
Description: "A practical guide allowing mature students to build on their strengths and overcome challenges. Includes worked examples, exercises and space for recording strategies and successes."