Mature Students Keele University

What is a Mature student? Anyone age 21 or above when enrolling on to their undergraduate course. Keele welcome all; 17% of Keele students are mature students.

Support for mature students Dedicated Contact: Alison Felton student.services@keele.ac.uk One your place at Keele has been confirmed you can choose to be matched with a Keele mentor who provide support before you start your course.

Keele Mentors Keele Mentors- provide support before you start your course. You will be matched with a mature student at Keele who will answer any questions which you have.

Support for mature students ForMat Pre-Arrival Event- before welcome week and this event is specifically designed for our mature students. MaSK- Facebook group which is run by current mature students at Keele. Mature Student Society. The KPA clubhouse- on campus bar that is specifically for students over the age of 21 and staff. Option of living in “Mature Student Accommodation”. Pre Arrival specific to Mature students.

Support for student parents On campus childcare support at the Keele Day Nursery. Service Offered: Day Nursery, Klubhouse - during school holidays Age Range: from 3 months to 5 years Opening times: 08.00 - 18.00 Monday to Friday, open all year Excluding Christmas and Bank holidays www.keele.ac.uk/nursery/

Financial Support www.keele.ac.uk/studentfunding/undergraduatebursariesandscholarships/

General support for students Careers and employability drop in sessions, up until 2 years after your graduation. Get on Up!  is our pre-arrival event for students living off campus or commuting to Keele. Keele4all This event offers all Keele students to meet and make friends before their degrees start. Great if you're a bit nervous about making friends! Moving On Up! is our pre-arrival event for new students with complex disabilities. You will have been sent an invitation to this event. These events will help your transition to university by providing an opportunity to meet other students, get to know your way round campus and find out more about everything that Keele has to offer.  Can apply independently before applying to Keele

General support for students Disability and Dyslexia support- assist with any accessibility issues. www.keele.ac.uk/dds/ Counselling and Emotional Wellbeing- support during time at University if needed, they offer 121 support as well as workshops and group sessions. www.keele.ac.uk/studentcounselling/

Entry Requirements We accept Access to HE Diplomas for entry onto our degrees, however, for courses that have a subject specific requirement you will need to have studied specific subjects at Access or equivalent level and so will need to contact us for further advice. As a guide, for courses that require ABB at A Level we will be looking for 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction and 15 Level 3 credits at Merit or higher. For courses that require ABC or BBB at A Level we will be looking for 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction. GCSE requirements (see course table for details) or Access to HE Diploma GCSE equivalence are also required. www.keele.ac.uk/studyatkeele/undergraduatestudy/entryrequirements/

www.keele.ac.uk/studyatkeele/undergraduatestudy/entryrequirements

Entry Requirements- APL www.keele.ac.uk/qa/accreditationofpriorlearning/ The APL is a process which enables people of all ages and backgrounds to receive recognition and formal credit for learning acquired in the past through formal study and through work and other life experiences. Keele University welcomes applications from applicants and students who wish to be considered for APL.

Entry Requirements- APL Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) - learning associated with a structured, formal course of study which has already been assessed and accredited by either a recognised higher education provider or by a professional body. It will have been internally and externally assessed. The outcome of such learning is the production of an authenticated certificate or transcript with CATS points or equivalent clearly identified. Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) - learning acquired through personal or work experiences and informal training or study not previously assessed in a formal education/ certification scenario. www.keele.ac.uk/qa/accreditationofpriorlearning/ APL Policy APL application form available through webpage

UCAS www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/getting-started/mature-students

UCAS Application Form Complete all required fields on UCAS application Personal Statement Why you are applying – your ambitions and what interests you about the subject, course providers and higher education. What makes you suitable – any relevant skills, experience or achievements gained from education, work or other activities. Here’s where you can also mention any alternative entry requirements you’ve used – like an Access course or APL – demonstrating the skills and knowledge you’ve gained through your previous experiences.

UCAS Application Form Structure your information to reflect the skills and qualities the universities and colleges value most. Write in an enthusiastic, concise and natural style – nothing too complex. Try to stand out, but be careful with humour, quotes or anything unusual – just in case the admissions tutor doesn’t have the same sense of humour as you. Proofread aloud and get your teachers, advisers and family to check – then redraft until you’re happy with it and the grammar, spelling and punctuation are correct.

Student Finance You may be able to apply for student finance. The amount you get depends on your family situation and the type of course you’re doing - you may get extra help if you have children. www.gov.uk/apply-for-student-finance Extra student funding You could get: Childcare Grant  Parents’ Learning Allowance Child Tax Credit  Adult Dependant’s Grant www.gov.uk/student-finance-calculator

Your Next Steps Log in to UCAS and apply (remember to keep hold of your personal ID- you may need to quote this if you talk to UCAS / your University choices) Be aware of UCAS deadlines Check that you understand Finances available to you Look out for dedicated contacts or specific support

Some of our current mature students

Any Questions?