Whatever your motivation is, returning to education after some time can be a daunting prospect, especially if you have existing commitments, like work or family, to consider.
But more people are choosing to study postgraduate degrees later in life – according to HESA, 23% of all Higher Education students in 2023/24 were aged 30 or over, compared to 20% in 2019/20. This could be because they have a variety of advantages, and more study modes are now available. For example, some may want to consolidate their existing work experience and knowledge into an industry-relevant qualification or gain new skills and knowledge to advance or change careers.
In this blog, we continue to bust some common misconceptions around being a mature student, and how you can balance life around studying.
Nowadays, it is very rare for someone to be entirely commitment-free. So, going back to full-time education may not always be possible. Instead, flexible study options, such as online Masters degrees or part-time courses, may offer the ideal solution, giving you the chance to balance studying around life commitments.
Alumnus Darren Mead studied a Masters degree with us at 51 years old whilst juggling work and family life:
“I have two children. So, I need to make sure they’re looked after… I have had to make sacrifices, but two years isn’t a long time at all. So, I would strongly advise anyone who is around my age to just go and do it while you can…”
If you have existing financial commitments, such as a mortgage or other forms of credit, committing yourself to more significant financial expenditure could be a worry.
The good news is the UK Government provides a Masters Loan that you may be eligible for, even if you have an existing student loan to repay from a previous undergraduate degree. The Postgraduate Masters Loan was created to help fund full- or part-time Masters programmes and you can borrow up to £12,000+ to help with the cost of your course.
Another possible source of funding to consider is your employer contributing towards the cost of your tuition fees. Many students join online degree programmes via employer sponsorship. If it can be demonstrated that the study of your chosen online Masters degree will be of benefit to your organisation, they may be willing to pay for your studies either in part or in full.
It’s easy to assume that you must have an undergraduate degree to be eligible to join a Masters programme. However, that’s not true of the online distance learning programmes at Northumbria University London!
Whilst an undergraduate degree demonstrates a certain level of knowledge and learning ability and is highlighted as an academic requirement for our courses, we do consider applicants with relevant industry experience and knowledge on a case-by-case basis.
If you don’t have an undergraduate degree, you may worry that you’ll struggle to keep up on a Masters programme. If you have years of experience within the industry of the course you wish to study, you needn’t worry too much as this can work in your favour. You’ll be able to apply your existing knowledge to your course assignments and transfer what you learn on your degree to your career.
Michael Coulling-Green, who studied MSc Cyber Security part-time with us said:
“I didn’t believe I would qualify for the course initially, as the prerequisite for a Masters generally requires an undergraduate degree. I was unsure what to expect and was nervous and out of my comfort zone. There was a blend of people attending the course; people who have just finished their undergraduate degrees and others like me, with an IT background and doing the course alongside their full-time job.”
OK, technically this one isn’t really a myth – it’s well established that postgraduate study can help advance your career, but it’s still worth mentioning.
Some choose to study to improve their chances of advancing their career with a recognised qualification in their industry. Others want to change careers entirely and gain a Masters degree to help them get a foot in the door of the industry they want to work in.
Whatever your reasons, an online Masters degree is certainly an investment worth making for your long-term career ambitions.
Most undergraduate students come straight form school to university, and some are unsure of what they want to do in life. As a mature student, with years of experience in the workplace, you will have a better perspective on what you want to achieve from your online degree programme.
You’ll know why you’re studying and will want to make the most of your studies to reach your career goals.
So, don’t let a few myths hold you back.
Choose your online degree and apply today or get in touch if you have any questions or concerns and we’ll be happy to help!