We always welcome applications from mature students. We believe mature learners make a great contribution to the atmosphere of the College. With much to offer as well as being highly motivated they are often among the best achievers. Many of our mature students go on to achieve highly successful careers, some of them in areas they had never worked in before.

You’ll probably have lots of questions to ask about returning to study, from whether you’re eligible to apply to how you’ll manage to fit it around work and family. We hope we’ve covered most of them here but if not do please call our Student Advice Centres, who will help you in any way they can.

Some frequently asked questions by adults looking to return to study

Q. Won’t the College just be full of young people?

A. It’s true, there are a lot of young people at College. But we believe that education should be accessible to everyone, whatever their circumstances, so you’ll find that there are students here of all ages from all kinds of different backgrounds. In fact more than half of our university students are classed as mature. Far from failing to mix well in such a diverse community, many young and older students say they prefer to study together. This is because they both have something different to offer the class.

Q. How will I fit a degree course around work and family commitments?

A. Several of the courses we offer can be studied on a part-time basis. Even a so-called ‘full-time’ course can be as little as one afternoon and one evening a week. For instance, students on our full-time Foundation Degree in Communication at Work only need to attend one day a week from 1 to 9pm. With full-time courses, you could get better financial support too.

The amount of personal time you’re expected to devote to study isn’t excessive either. And if you’re studying a foundation degree that relates to your area of employment, your assignments can even be work-based. The College is committed to flexible learning. Wherever possible, our tutors will structure course timetables to fit around your home and work commitments, making it easier for you to manage your studies.

Q. I haven’t studied for a while. How am I going to cope with the demands of the course?

A. From the moment you start your course, our friendly tutors will be there to support and guide you right up until the point you leave. They’re used to teaching people who haven’t studied for a while so don’t worry that you’ll be left to struggle alone.

Since class sizes are relatively small, you’ll form a closer relationship with your tutor who, in turn, will have more time to devote to your individual needs. Also, if you need to speak to your tutor out of class you’ll find it much easier to locate them here than at a large university.

Studying is a skill in itself and you’ll be given every opportunity to develop your ability in this area. So if you’re not sure how to structure an essay or where to start with a research project your tutor will point you in the right direction.

Most mature students wouldn’t deny that embarking on a university course is a bit daunting at first but nearly all of them would agree that it doesn’t take long to get into the swing of things. For the majority of people, what begins as a nerve-wracking return to education turns out to be an incredibly satisfying, confidence-boosting and life-changing experience.

Q. Which qualifications do I need to do a university course?

A. Normally, students who enter into university education will have a level 3 qualification such as A Levels or a BTEC National Diploma. However, not everyone needs a level 3 qualification to apply. Other qualifications that you have gained may be enough to gain you entry onto a course. Equally, having extensive experience of the subject you intend to study will demonstrate your capacity for academic learning (this is known as Accredited Prior Learning – when your experience is formally acknowledged to qualify you for entry onto a course). This will all be determined at an interview or from your application form, so please make sure that you include full details when you apply.

If it turns out that you don’t have the required qualifications or experience and you can’t progress onto your course of choice immediately, don’t worry. We offer a huge range of courses at all levels that will allow you to gain the qualifications you need to get on. We also run Bridging courses - specially designed programmes that prepare and qualify adults for university education.

Q. I’m thinking about doing a university course but I’m not sure what to study.

A. If you have a particular career goal in mind then it’s worth doing a bit of research to find out exactly what type of university qualification you need to achieve this. Not all careers demand a specific degree subject, however some do.

If you haven’t decided on a career yet but you want to study for a university qualification, start to consider what interests you. Having a genuine liking for your subject will dramatically increase your chances of success and give you the determination and commitment needed to complete the course. With such a wide range of courses on offer, we’re confident we have a course to suit everyone’s tastes.

If you need help making up your mind then speak to someone from our Careers Team. They will offer you impartial information, guidance and support to help you make the right choices about your future and choose the best course for you. They can even help you with practical things, like filling out your UCAS application to gain entry onto your chosen course. You can contact them from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday on Tel: 01253 504351/504474 or by Email: studentservicescareersteam@blackpool.ac.uk

Q. What financial help will I be entitled to?

A. If you’re studying full-time you could qualify for a Maintenance Grant to help with living costs while you study. The amount you get depends on your household income and you don’t have to pay a penny back. Other students may have to apply for a Student Maintenance Loan but don’t panic - this isn’t repayable until you’re earning a substantial, regular income. Also, it is repayable at terms far more modest than those of a high street lender.

Everyone embarking on a university course now has to pay their tuition fees but the good news is that you can get a student loan to help with the cost. And you’ll also be eligible to apply for an annual bursary of £700.*

If you’re a parent and have dependent children in registered and approved childcare while you study you could be eligible for a Childcare Grant or Child Tax Credit - again, this depends on your household income. You might be able to apply for the Parent’s Learning Allowance too.

If you’re studying part-time, you may (depending on your household income) be eligible for a non-repayable fee grant. A proviso is that you must be studying for at least 50% of the time you would spend studying on the equivalent full-time course. For help with things like travel and books, a means-tested and non-repayable course grant is available.

Don’t forget that many employers will sponsor their employees to embark on work-related programmes of study (particularly foundation degrees), which will mean you get your tuition fees paid for.

Our Welfare Team can advise you about all the financial implications of returning to study as well as offer practical help with things like filling in forms and budgeting. You can contact them on Tel: 01253 504496/504298 or by Email: studentserviceswelfareteam@blackpool.ac.uk

More information is also available within our Study Costs sections

*All figures quoted are subject to government changes.