How can we help?
Recognising the need for mature students to have a clearly identifiable source of support, the Lifelong Learning Centre (LLC) provides a one-stop shop, open to all mature learners.
The University of Leeds welcomes mature undergraduate students from all backgrounds and the range of experiences they bring. A mature student is defined as a student over 21 years of age and our mature students study on a variety of undergraduate programmes across the University.
You’re not alone, but there is a huge diversity in our mature student community. Some people are in their early twenties, just starting university a bit later than usual for personal reasons. Some are in their thirties, forties or fifties, perhaps using university as part of career development or a career change. Others are retired, maybe taking the opportunity to engage with a subject that is a particular passion. There is no such thing as a ‘typical’ mature student, but we recognise that starting at university a bit later in life can be a different experience than that of an eighteen year old.
Starting University Life
Starting University can be a major change and you may feel apprehensive, so the LLC provides a range of welcome events in September specifically aimed at new mature learners. These events are held before the main ‘Freshers’ Week’ to give you a chance to settle in on the campus before it gets busy. Students from all departments are welcome, so it’s a great chance to meet a wide range of other people in the same situation as you.
A 'physical' home for mature students
We have two spaces on campus, one in Beech Grove House and the other on Level 11 of the Marjorie and Arnold Ziff Building, both spaces have resource areas which are also open to mature and part-time undergraduates from across the campus as well as other students on LLC programmes. They are social spaces in which students can eat lunch, meet friends or work between lectures and offers the following facilities:
• several student-access computers which can be used for checking emails, renewing library books and other quick tasks such as submitting assignments
• reference books including: atlases, dictionaries, directories and books on study skills
• ‘takeaway’ material (leaflets, booklets) on University and Union services
• space for individual or small group working.
Guidance
You may need information, advice and guidance (IAG) at any stage of your academic career; when choosing what subject to study or when on course. You can make an appointment with the LLC’s Guidance Officers for a free and impartial service accredited with Matrix Standard; the industry standard for IAG activity. One to one guidance services available include (but are not limited to) careers and employability skills; one-to-one on-course guidance for individual students; pre-entry guidance and information about fees and financial support.
To book an appointment please email lifelonglearning@leeds.ac.uk.
Finance
Thinking about student finance before, during and after your studies is important to all students regardless of their age, living arrangement or mode of study. Visit these pages for a wealth of information about loans, grants, bursaries and scholarships. For more specialist advice our Student Support Officer, Paul Devlin can help.
Skills Support
The LLC offers both group and one-to-one support with academic skills (essay writing, referencing, time management, exam techniques and more) and also basic IT skills. If you feel you need help with any of these, don’t struggle on alone; contact us for support at any time of the year.
Administration Support
Most University processes and procedures are now online, and however IT-literate you are, you may still have difficulties at some point in dealing with the University’s systems, which encompass the whole range of university life; registration, enrolment, timetabling, exams, using the library and more. The LLC can provide one-to-one support with this – so get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.
Careers Support
Mature students study at the University of Leeds for a variety of reasons, but probably most are hoping that in some way the course and the experience of university life will enhance their personal and professional development. This could take a variety of forms from exploring/taking up voluntary roles to starting up a business or developing an existing one. Complementing the work of the University’s Careers Centre, the LLC also offer one-to-one careers guidance as well as a range of careers support events throughout the year.
Disability, Mental Health, Long Term Medical Conditions and Specific Learning Differences
Students on LLC programmes with disabilities, mental health conditions, long term medical conditions and specific learning differences (such as dyslexia) are welcome to contact our Disability Officer Paul Devlin with any questions or concerns. Disabled students taught elsewhere at the University should contact the Disability Officer for that department.
The University’s Disability Services provides support for disabled students across the campus and ensures that disability is not a barrier to educational achievement. For more information visit Disability pages.
Student Newsletter
Keep up to date with information, events and services for mature students by reading our student newsletter. Students doing a course with the LLC automatically receive this; if you’re studying with another department, email us at lifelonglearning@leeds.ac.uk and we’ll put you in the circulation list.