Mature and part-time students
The mature student community is a diverse one and if you're over the age of 21 at the start of your course, you're a part of it.
We appreciate that studying as a mature student can present challenges. This is particularly true if this is your first experience of higher education and you have other commitments and responsibilities, such as work and family, so we're here to help you.
Welcome events during your first term at Essex
At the start of your studies at Essex, we run a couple of events specifically for you to meet other mature students:
- a housewarming event at our Colchester Campus
- the mature students' mixer held during Welcome Week
Money matters
You might have additional financial responsibilities that you need to juggle but we're here to help with:
- tuition fees
- financial support available
- managing your money while being a student
- specialist advice about Disabled Students' Allowance
- you could be eligible for a scholarship, if you meet the eligibility criteria
- living costs
Accommodation and living arrangements
The Residence Life team provide support if you're living in University accommodation. They can tell you who your Residents’ Assistant is and run a programme of events throughout the year, so you can socialise with other students.
SU Homes can help you find secure, private accommodation if you want to live off campus.
You may want to stay on campus for one or two nights, for example, during resit exams. We can't guarantee you short-stay accommodation, but contact your Student Services Hub to see what might be available.
Study and social spaces
Colchester Campus
The postgraduate and mature students' common room is a meeting space for you to use. Located
in room 5.401 on the
Colchester Campus, it's easily accessible from the Mathematics entrance off Square 2.
- Comfortable, informal seating.
- Tea and coffee making facilities.
- Microwave.
- Newspapers delivered daily.
Southend Campus
The the SU Lounge and The Mezz are good spaces to relax or study on your own or with friends.
Places to study
You have access to a plethora of study spaces, which are available for you to study individually or in groups.
Academic and skills support
Peer mentor
Undergraduates
You'll automatically be assigned a peer mentor, who is a second or third student in your department. You'll meet them during Welcome Week and they can answer any questions about university life and help you settle in.
If you'd like your peer mentor to be a mature student, please email peermentor@essex.ac.uk.
Postgraduates
You can contact fellow students for advice via the postgraduate mentoring scheme.
Personal tutor
You'll be allocated a personal tutor at the beginning of your studies who can help with academic and personal concerns.
Skills for Success
As a mature student you can also access Skills for Success, a range of workshops and individual support if you want to further develop your skills in writing, maths, research, study skills and English language.
Further advice
There's also advice and guidance on a range of topics, including:
- applying to Essex as a mature student
- being a student with children
- student carers
- guidance on commuting
- our equality and diversity information explains what we are doing to fulfil our goal of being an inclusive university
"Talk to people on your course about the material you are studying. Many people will share ideas which stimulate both good academic discussion, developing ideas for essays and assignments but also friendships within departments."
Feedback
We conduct surveys, interviews and focus groups to make sure we're helping you, as a mature student. If you'd like to take part, please email studentengagement@essex.ac.uk.
For further help and advice please contact the Student Services Hub.
Social opportunities
Mature Students' Community
You can meet up and get to know fellow students who share academic and social interests via the Students' Union Mature Students' Community. The network is for mature students, student parents and part-time students.