Study with us

Returning to Study

University isn’t just for 18-year-olds flying the nest for the first time. Many people choose to start their studies a little bit later in life and 60% of students in the UK are over 21.

Perhaps you weren’t academic at school, but now’s your time to shine. You might be looking to return to work after bringing up children or fancy a complete change of career. Whatever your motivation, you’ll be in good company. We’ve got lots of students in their 20s, 30s, 40s – and beyond.

Getting started

If it’s been a while since you sat an exam or wrote an essay or you’re used to earning a wage, switching to studying is a whole new lifestyle. You’re bound to have a few anxieties about the future, so here are some common worries that returners to study usually have.

Will I get in?

Entry requirements for older students aren’t set in stone. For applicants who don’t come to university through the traditional route after A-levels or BTECs, we look at other qualities and experiences that make you suitable to study.

• Access courses
  If you haven’t studied to A-level standard, we recommend you consider an Access to Higher Education course first. Access courses are designed specifically for people who may have few or no formal qualifications or who have been out of education for some time.
• Work experience
  Whether it’s directly relevant to what you want to study or in a completely unrelated field, experience of the workplace demonstrates a whole host of skills that you’ll need to be a student.
• Life skills
  You might have organisational skills learnt through running a household or time management skills from juggling family life with work. These are all things that’ll be vital for student life – and for your future career.
• Enthusiasm and motivation
  Returning to study is a big commitment and shows tutors that you have the right attitude to really get on.

But I haven’t studied anything since I left school

Some subjects aren’t available at A-level and are completely new to all students on the course. In this case, you’ll study introductory modules in your first year that will give you the ‘foundation’ knowledge to move on.
Our Education Drop-in Centres on all three campuses give you specialist support with study skills, with advice on everything from essay writing to exam preparation.

You can also take a Learning Strategies module in your first term to help you with the skills that you will need for your studies.

How will I afford it?

Despite what you might have heard, a degree doesn’t have to mean huge debts and a diet of own-brand beans. There are plenty of options to help you fund your studies, and if you have children or an adult dependent, you could be entitled to extra support.

At Glamorgan we have various scholarships and bursaries available to eligible students. For information on any aspects of funding your studies, contact our Student Money Service.