Mature students (over 21)

The University of Brighton is committed to helping as many people as possible to benefit from university-level or higher education.

• We welcome applications from students over the age of 21 with qualifications and experience outside the traditional A-level route. 
• Relevant work or other experience may also be regarded as equivalent to formal qualifications.

Frequently asked questions for mature students

• How can I find out if my qualifications or experience will enable me to apply for study?

• What access to funding do I have?

• I need to fit my study around other commitments. How can I find out about study times and options? Are there flexible options?

• I have been out of study for some time, and I am concerned that I may need extra support.

• I don't want to study a full university course, but I do want to train within my career area. What options are available?

• Living in Sussex?

How can I find out if my qualifications or experience will enable me to apply for study?

We recommend that you check the information online via the links below in the first instance, but if you have any further queries, contact us. 

• Find out about routes into university, including qualifications and/or relevant experience (hastings site)
• Find out about qualifications and alternative routes into university (brighton site)
• another page about qualifications and alternative routes into university (Brighton site)

What access to funding do I have?

Mature students studying for their first degree are entitled to the same loans as students progressing directly from school or college. You may also be entitled to additional support depending on your circumstances.

• Find out about money matters for mature students

I need to fit my study around other commitments. How can I find out about study times and options? Are there flexible options?

Some of our courses fit conveniently around school hours. You may be able to study part-time or via distance learning. 

• Find out more about flexible study options

I have been out of study for some time, and I am concerned that I may need extra support. 

Helping people to make the transition into university-level study is a key part of our support for all students, particularly people who have not had recent experience of study. 

• Find out about study skills support for mature students

Does the university provide any childcare for students who are parents?

As our campus in Hastings is small, we can't support a creche or nursery as part of the university. However people usually find that our teaching hours can fit around school or nursery. 

• Please see www.childcarelink.gov.uk/ for information about childcare provision in Hastings. Please note that the University of Brighton is not responsible for information on external websites.

I don't want to study a full university course, but I do want to train within my career area. What options are available? 

We offer a range of options for continuing professional development. 

• Read about our continuing professional development study options

Living in Sussex?

Please read additional information for people living in Sussex

If you are interested in studying one of our courses but are not sure how to take your application further, please email us on hastingsinfo@brighton.ac.uk or call us on 08456 020607 and we will arrange for a member of staff to talk to you.