University of York blogs

Student Voices

Get the inside view on student life at York.

Tag: mature student

  • Persistence Pays Off: My Journey from Paraguay to York as a Chevening Scholar

    19 January 2026 by Alfonso
    4 minute read

    Starting right from the beginning, my name is Alfonso and I’m from the heart of South America: Paraguay. Bet you’ve never heard of that one before. Growing up in a small…

  • Why York Was the Right Place to Begin Again: A Mature Student’s Story

    26 November 2025 by Mathyn
    4 minute read

    A Mature Student’s Take on Community, Coffee, and Starting Over Coming to university a little later in life can feel a bit like joining a film halfway through. Everyone else…

  • You can make it as a mature student

    You can make it as a mature student

    8 September 2022 by Fizza
    5 minute read

    I have always loved studying: it was the one area where I could easily succeed and earn heaps of attention and praise. The idea of being in school forever sounded…

  • How to survive as a mature Archaeology student

    21 February 2022 by Cath
    4 minute read

    Hi! I’m Cath and I’m a 3rd-year archaeology student at the University of York. I wanted to share some things I love about being at university and what life is…

  • Applying to University as a Mature Student

    6 July 2021 by Tania
    4 minute read

    I studied BSc Pharmacology at Newcastle University before coming to York as a mature student. I applied for medicine the first time round, but I didn’t get in so I…

  • Finding my place at York

    9 June 2021 by Tania
    4 minute read

    Initially I was nervous about moving to a new place and university. I previously struggled to fit in at my last university and I was bullied at school. I would…

  • Postgraduate study with a seven year gap in education

    Postgraduate study with a seven year gap in education

    24 March 2020 by Jane
    3 minute read

    What’s it like to be a postgraduate? In all honesty, if I had to sum up being a postgraduate in one word, it would be amazing. But before I go…

  • You’re HOW old? Being a mature learner

    17 March 2020 by Jessica
    3 minute read

    Yes, believe it or not, I am a mature learner – just. I started my course at 22, the youngest you can be to qualify.

  • A week in the life of a Social Policy student

    16 January 2019 by Tiffany
    4 minute read

    I am now in my final year, however, I have tried to fit in an awful lot whilst here! Time has flown and apart from being proud I have made…

  • My top 5 extracurricular experiences as a mature student!

    My top 5 extracurricular experiences as a mature student!

    23 January 2017 by Renée
    4 minute read

    In my first blog, I mentioned that it is possible for mature students to “join in” and actively participate in university life. Despite balancing my studies, family commitments and other…

  • I’m so glad I took the plunge!….

    I’m so glad I took the plunge!….

    22 November 2016 by Renée
    4 minute read

    When I began my social work degree, I don’t think I really expected the epic journey of personal growth and development that lay ahead. Social work appealed to me as…

  • Spinning Plates – it can be done!

    19 September 2016
    3 minute read

    As a mature Masters Student studying Global Marketing, I considered that doing an internship would be invaluable experience and I was eager to find one. I couldn’t believe how many opportunities there…