If you're a mature undergraduate student, the following events are a great way to meet fellow mature students.

Mature Student Socials

Meet fellow mature students from across the university at these relaxed social events.

You can join as many of these events as you would like, across the multiple campuses and throughout the academic year.

Socials are held in a non-academic setting wherever possible, and we always have free food and non-alcoholic drinks! We will also have low level music and a variety of games and activities.

These events are for any mature undergraduate student at the university who would like to meet new people and socialise in a non-pressured environment. No booking is required; they can come and go as they please and there is no pressure to stay for any longer than they’d like to! They can join an event at any point in the academic year.

Sessions take place in the following times and locations:

• Sutton Bonington
  Tuesdays, 12-2pm in Harper Bar, The Barn
  
  
• University Park 
  Thursdays, 12-2 pm in A36, Portland Building (next to Oasis)
  
  
• University Park
  Wednesdays, 3-5pm starting Wednesday 29 October in A36, Portland Building (next to Oasis)

No booking is required, and 

Peer Support Sessions

These sessions will be facilitated by a member of staff but provide an open space for students to share their lived experiences, challenges, and strategies for coping.

Sessions will take place on the second Wednesday of each month, 12 – 2pm in C19, Wellbeing Hub, Portland Building, University Park and a free lunch will be provided. To ensure everyone has a chance to contribute, each session will be limited to 15 people. 

Sessions are planned around the following topics:

• October - managing time as a mature learner
• November - navigating university as a mature and neurodivergent student
• December - exploring identity and the experience of imposter phenomenon
• January - navigating exam and assessment stress as a mature student
• February - finding balance between parenthood and student life
• March - caring for yourself while being a caregiver
• May - mature student wellbeing

Mature Student Masterclasses

Masterclasses based on topics requested in feedback from mature students will take place throughout the year. Each session will be hosted by a specialist service at the university and will be an open space for mature students to learn about and discuss topics of interest.

• Imposter Phenomenon (Careers Café)
• Skills audit and transferable skills for applications (Careers Café)
• Career planning and work experience while studying (Careers Café)
• Managing a health condition alongside studying
• Building a network when you have no network (Careers Café)
• Careers coaching (Careers Café)
• Managing assessments
• Using assessment feedback
• Money management

Bookings for these sessions are required, and numbers will be limited due to room capacity. Recorded content of the sessions will be available afterwards on the Mature Students’ Information Hub.

Mature Students’ Information Hub

The Mature Students’ Information Hub is an online resource hosting a variety of information including webpages, blogs and vlogs.

This includes pre-entry guidance, academic support and resources, wellbeing information, careers advice and much more.

Access the Mature Students' Information Hub