Mature Students Welcome

University for Mature Students

In your 30s, 40s, or 50s and thinking about a degree? There is no upper age limit for student finance in England, no A-levels needed with foundation year entry, and your tuition is covered — with maintenance support of up to £13,762 per year paid to you.

No Age Limit
No A-Levels Needed
Free Support

Check Your Eligibility Free

Why It Is Never Too Late for a Degree

Over a third of undergraduate students in the UK are 21 or older when they start. Universities are built for mature students — and the funding system treats you exactly the same as a school leaver.

No upper age limit on funding

Tuition fee loans and maintenance loans from Student Finance England have no upper age limit for undergraduate study. Whether you are 25 or 55, the maximum amounts are the same. Repayments only start once you earn over £25,000 a year — and any balance is written off after 40 years.

Foundation year instead of A-levels

Left school years ago without A-levels? Degrees with a built-in foundation year take you from no formal qualifications to degree-level study in the first year. Your work and life experience count in the application — not just certificates.

Timetables that fit real life

Many of our partner universities run weekend, evening, and part-time timetables designed for people who work or have children. Parents may also qualify for the Childcare Grant and Parents Learning Allowance on top of the maintenance loan — neither is repaid.

Tuition fee loan

Up to £9,535/year

Paid directly to the university — you never see a tuition bill or pay upfront.

Maintenance loan

Up to £13,762/year

Paid into your bank account each term for rent, food, and travel. Higher amounts in London.

You repay nothing while studying
After your course, you repay 9% of anything you earn above £25,000 a year
Earn less than the threshold and you pay nothing that month
The loan never appears on your credit file

See the full benefits of a funded university degree.

Free of charge

What We Do for You

We are an education consultancy paid by partner universities, so our help costs you nothing: we check your eligibility, match you with a course and campus that fits your life — from London to Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds — prepare your application and personal statement, and guide your student finance application step by step.

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Mature Student FAQs

Am I too old to go to university in the UK?

No. There is no upper age limit for undergraduate student finance in England. Tuition fee loans and maintenance loans are available whether you are 25, 40, or 60. Universities actively welcome mature students, and many courses are designed around foundation year entry for people returning to education.

Can I get student finance as a mature student?

Yes. Mature students apply through exactly the same Student Finance England process as school leavers. If you are a UK resident with British citizenship, settled or pre-settled status, ILR, or refugee status, and have lived in the UK for three years, you can normally get a tuition fee loan (paid to the university) and a maintenance loan (paid to you) regardless of age.

Can I go to university without A-levels?

Yes. Many UK universities offer degrees with a built-in foundation year that require no A-levels or UCAS points. The foundation year builds your study skills in the first year, then you continue into the full degree. Work and life experience are often taken into account instead of formal qualifications.

Can I study while working full time or raising children?

Many mature students do. Universities offer weekend, evening, and part-time timetables, and some courses run online. On top of the maintenance loan, parents may qualify for the Childcare Grant and Parents Learning Allowance, which do not have to be repaid.

Will going to university affect my benefits?

Student finance can affect means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit, and full-time students usually need to meet an exception (for example being a parent or having limited capability for work) to keep claiming. The rules depend on your circumstances - talk to us free of charge and we will help you understand your position before you commit.

Popular Subjects for Mature Students

17 subjects

Accounting 25 courses Business 150 courses Computing 52 courses Criminology 22 courses Education 2 courses Engineering 35 courses Fashion Design 10 courses Graphics Design 6 courses Health and Social Care 68 courses Law 30 courses Life Science 13 courses Marketing 31 courses Media 12 courses Nursing 3 courses Project Management 13 courses Psychology 32 courses Tourism 21 courses

Universities Near You

13 cities

Free — No Obligation

Ready to Start Your Funded Degree?

Register your interest in under 2 minutes. A dedicated student advisor will contact you to check eligibility, explain tuition and maintenance funding, and guide you through every step to enrolment.

100% Free Guidance
Tuition & Maintenance Support
Dedicated Advisor

01 Register your interest
02 Advisor calls you back
03 Apply & enrol with support

Prefer to talk? Call us Mon–Fri, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM — 02 073 778844

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Want to learn more about funded education options? Request a callback from our expert team, we’ll guide you through your options and help answer any questions about student finance and eligibility.

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