Mature students
At LJMU, we have a rich tradition of welcoming mature students across all our programmes of study. Age is not a barrier to study, it can be an advantage, and we value the life skills and motivation that our mature students display.
Defining a mature student
What exactly do we mean by "mature students"? For undergraduate courses, a mature student is anyone who is 21 or older at the time of enrolment.
For postgraduate courses, the term applies to individuals who are 25 or older when they begin their studies.
4th
in the North West for a positive student experience
(Times Higher Education National Student Survey rankings, 2024)
Income
One of the best performing universities in the UK for growing graduate earnings
(The Telegraph, 2024)
2nd
in the UK
(UK Uni Rankings, Uni Compare, 2025)
Find your course
Entry requirements
Undergraduate and postgraduate entry requirements are listed on each course page and depend on the course you choose.
We welcome applications from mature students and those not entering university from school. Our admissions team considers all aspects of your application. This includes non-standard qualifications, professional experience, and mitigating factors.
Mature students returning to education after a break often find a Foundation Year to be a great way to ease back into academic life.
Study hours
We know many mature students are in part-time or full-time work and may be worried about returning to education.
The number of study hours required will vary depending on your chosen course and whether you opt for full-time or part-time study. Additionally, postgraduate courses typically involve more independent study compared to undergraduate programmes.
For full details on study hours, please check the details of the course you’d like to study.
Living in student accommodation
Each year the university sets aside a number of full flats for new postgraduate or mature undergraduate students in several of the halls offered to new students.
Students who choose one of these flats will therefore not have to share a living space with new undergraduates who are coming to university directly from school or college.
Juggling the Access course alongside a full-time job was tough. I also had concerns about losing a full-time wage. The LJMU finance team showed me that there is plenty of support available to help with funding university.
Support for you
At LJMU, we’re committed to supporting mature students throughout their university journey. Whether you need academic guidance, financial advice, or help to balance study with other commitments, our dedicated services are here to assist you. We're also here to support you during a personal crisis.
Explore the full range of resources and support available on our Student Support page.
Faq Items
Mature Students Community
Tutor support
LJMU Academic Achievement Team
Financial support
Contact us
If you still have questions, please get in contact with us at courses@ljmu.ac.uk.