Although possible, it is unlikely that you will be the only mature student on your course. The number of mature students entering the university is significant. There will be various clubs, societies and events organised by your school and other bodies within Queen’s to provide opportunities to meet other students.

For mature students seeking to connect with peers, Queen's University offers a Mature Student Society. This society provides a welcoming and inclusive environment for any Queen's students who began their undergraduate or postgraduate studies at the age of 21 or older. For further information, please click here.

Yes! Queen's University has lots of supports for its students. Your personal tutor can assist you with any academic questions you may have, the Learning Development Service has advice on time management and Student Wellbeing are there to help you ensure you feel equipped to take on the challenge of university. 

As a mature student there is lots of help and support provided at Queen’s University. There is academic and emotional support available for all students in the university.

If you are experiencing difficulties and are uncertain about whom to contact for assistance, please reach out to Lynsey McEvoy. Lynsey will be pleased to provide support and guide you to the appropriate resources.

There are several financial support options available to mature students at Queen’s University Belfast:

• Tuition Fees & Funding: Find information on tuition fees, payment plans, and funding options here.

• Student Financial Support: Queen’s offers various financial support options, including bursaries, scholarships, and hardship funds. Learn more here.

• Uversity Scholarships: If you’re a mature student returning to education, Uversity provides scholarships designed to support your studies. Find out more here.

Every student journey is different. The feedback received from your tutors will indicate the level you are achieving and any areas you can develop and improve. If you are concerned with your marks, we encourage you to speak to your personal tutor as they will be able to give you advice and reassure you. The university also has academic support services such as the Learning Development Service who can help you structure essays, write reports and review any other coursework you may have been given.

As a mature student, you bring a wealth of life experience to your learning. While it can take time to adjust to working at university level, you will find there are plenty of students feeling the same way and lots of support available throughout the university to help you settle in. 

Many students are nervous around exam time. The Learning Development Service can provide study advice and recommend various study techniques, and also offer a one to one appointment service. The Student Wellbeing Service are available to listen to your concerns if you are experiencing anxiety around exam time.

The Learning Development Service (LDS) are a dedicated team that assists with all your academic queries. One to one appointments are available to discuss your concerns and help is available with referencing and structuring an essay and other academic work. The LDS website has a range of online resources available online to assist with academic writing, critical thinking, referencing, research skills, study skills, time management, preparation for online assessments and presentation and communication skills. The team is dedicated to supporting you in your academic journey and personal development throughout your degree. Click here to find out more.

The McClay Library has an IT help desk to help you with getting connected to Wi-Fi, printing, lost files and many other queries. They can also provide advice on the best packages to use on-line, which you can read about here.

Returning to education demonstrates your wish to continue improving your knowledge, skills and competencies long-term. Employers value those who invest in their own development. Mature students have a wealth of knowledge and experience which employers will find invaluable and the Careers Service can help you present your skills in the most effective way. You can find out more about them here. 

You can locate this information using the course finder tool. You will then have the option to click on ‘Entry Requirements.’ Please note the entry requirements stated for each course are for all students (including Mature Students). If you have a specific query regarding your entry requirements, please email: admissions@qub.ac.uk.

Yes, there is childcare available at Queen’s. Please click here for further information.

If you have not met the grades required, you may be eligible for Clearing. Clearing is a service that helps people without a university or college place to find suitable vacancies on higher education courses. For further information on clearing please click here.