Understanding the support needs of mature students

Thursday 13 October 2011

The project combined a brief literature review, consultative workshops with mature students, support staff and academic staff, interviews with mature students and interviews with key stakeholders within the University, to synthesise a series of recommendations, and to provide the basis of advice for good practice.
A feature of the study was a remarkable consistency in the themes emerging at each stage of the work, and a considerable degree of consensus between students and staff about the priorities for action.

A series of detailed recommendations for addressing these issues has been generated through the project, comprising an agenda for change, together with suggestions for taking forward this agenda within the University. These proposals include the appointment of a Mature Student Champion from senior management, complemented by time from a member of staff with operational responsibility for carrying through the improvements, including awareness raising among staff and an expansion in the programme of the Mature Student Society. A good practice briefing for staff has been produced and is included in the Appendices to the report. The full project summary and recommendations can be found in the report.

Both the Report and the Briefing can be downloaded here.

 The Report:

The Briefing: