UCR - University Centre Reaseheath
University Centre Reaseheath

Mature Students

Why UCR?

Did you know? Around 30% of our student intake each year are mature students. 

University Centre Reaseheath welcomes students of all ages. Being an intrinsic part of the Nantwich community we welcome a high percentage of local adult learners onto our undergraduate courses.  

As a mature student, you will be equipped with many skills and valuable qualities gained from work and family life. Our courses will give you the confidence to progress your career or simply explore your passion.  

Our adult learners come from a variety of backgrounds, studying various subject areas, both full and part-time. At UCR, you’ll find an inclusive and purposeful learning environment, with specialist facilities, strong links with employers and industry-relevant programmes that offer transferable skills.   

A degree at UCR will ensure that you leave with the knowledge, expertise and qualifications for your next career.  

Photo of Clock Tower on Building

Why choose Higher Education?

Find Your Purpose.

Maybe university has always been a life goal? Perhaps you are the first in your family to go? Invest in your future by gaining an internationally recognised qualification, which is yours to keep forever. You even get postnominal letters! 

By focusing on innovation and sustainability, a UCR degree will equip you with the tools you need to lead the industry in exploring new land-based solutions to emerging challenges to help create a better world. 

Progress your career

Having a degree makes you more attractive to employers, you’ll have a greater choice of jobs and you’ll earn more. The average salary is £30,000 (source: highfliers.co.uk). 

A degree opens up a wider range of career choices. Some jobs require a degree, and even if they don’t many employers look favourably on higher level qualifications such as university degrees. 

There is high demand for skilled graduates in the land-based, technical and STEM industries. A degree from UCR will give you the academic skills and practical knowledge that employers want and the competitive edge that will allow you to take advantage of the career opportunities in the industries that we serve.

Gain confidence

Increase your knowledge of the area you are interested in with the top experts in their fields, while developing the essential transferable skills you’ll need in your career, such as communication, organisation, time management, teamwork, leadership and problem-solving skills. You will also gain confidence, independence, resilience, integrity and responsibility throughout your studies, which are all a large part of studying at a higher level.  

A higher education degree from UCR is a high-quality qualification validated by University of Chester. You can be confident that all of our degrees have been designed in partnership with industry to ensure that graduates have the academic knowledge and practical skills that employers need. 

Experience student life

Yes you’re expected to work hard, but uni is also fun. Whatever your interests, there are a huge range of clubs and societies to diversify your social life.

UCR offers a nurturing and inclusive environment. Meet likeminded people who are on the same journey as you, make lifelong friends, and create lasting memories.

Marion Downes,
Level 5 Master Diploma in Professional Floristry

After a career in business admin, Marion wanted to start working in the floristry industry. Hear about why she loves studying floristry at Reaseheath and how she will use what she has learnt to achieve her new career aspirations.

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How to Apply

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To study a degree in the UK you will need to apply through UCAS. The application form will ask you for some personal information, including your education and employment history, and the courses and universities you want to apply for. You will also need to write a personal statement about why you are suitable to study the course. This may all seem a bit daunting at first, but we hope that the following information is helpful to you while you complete your application.

For part-time course, you will need to apply directly through Reaseheath by completing one of our application forms.

Please provide us with as much information as possible to support your application. Once we receive your form we will make contact with you to invite you to attend an informal interview.

Whichever course you choose to study, there will be some entry requirements you will have to meet. You can find details of the entry requirements (including the number of UCAS points you need) for all of the courses we offer at University Centre Reaseheath on the course pages of our website.

When you submit your university application, you’ll need to provide evidence of your ability to study at the appropriate level, and any relevant experience related to your course. Any qualifications you’ve already taken will also need to be included in your application.

A wide range of qualifications are accepted for university applications. If the qualifications you have aren’t on our list of entry requirements, please get in touch with us to discuss your application as we may still be able to accept the qualification you do have.

Equally, if you don’t have the qualifications needed to study your chosen degree, it would still be worth getting in touch with us to see what we can do. Your work experience and the skills you have may be sufficient for the degree you wish to study. Being a mature student will give you an advantage as your extra employment history can work in your favour.

For full-time courses, more information on undergraduate entry requirements can be found on the UCAS website.

For full-time courses, a large part of the UCAS application is your personal statement. This is your chance to explain the reasons why you would be a great candidate to study the courses you are applying for, such as your academic achievements and your relevant interests. It might help you to think about the skills your university course will require, such as communication skills or team working, and then write about when and how you have gained those skills. 

Apply Now

For full-time courses, you will need to apply online through UCAS.

For part-time course, you will need to apply directly through Reaseheath.

Financial support

Financial support is available to all eligible students, regardless of age, while studying at university. We know that managing finances as a student can be particularly challenging, especially for mature students who may be faced with a lot of other financial commitments.  

To help you fund your studies, we recommend you spend time planning your finances and looking into the funding opportunities available to you.  

Funding opportunities & bursaries

If you haven’t already explored the different finance and funding opportunities available to you, visit our finance page to find out more about the loans, bursaries and scholarships available.  

It would also be worth visiting the student finance for mature students section of the UCAS website, as there may be other grants, loans, bursaries, or scholarships for students in particular circumstances (e.g. if you are a parent) that you could be eligible for.  

If you require any further information, contact our finance team as soon as possible for help and advice.  

FAQs

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Visit our finance & fees page to find out more about applying for a student loan and additional financial support.

Onsite accommodation is available, but is not specific to mature students so will be mixed ages. There is a range of rental accommodation available locally.

This depends on the available modules on your course, but many courses contain elements about business. Please check the modules on your course page.

Approximately 30% of our students are over the age of 21, and range right up to retirement age!

We will consider both your qualifications and your experience and your personal statement. We do need to ensure that you can cope with the academic work. However, we also support you to learn the skills required.

We do not have child care facilities on site. However, there are a number of local options in Nantwich.

You will need to attend your timetabled sessions. During non-timetabled days you can choose to study on campus in a variety of study spaces or at home, where you will be able to access most college systems off site.

Our Careers team can offer tailored 1-1 sessions for any mature student, covering relevant topics you might need to change careers or move your aspirations forward. This can include UCAS applications, CV writing, career path exploration… and much more.

Find the course for you

We offer a range of degree programmes in a variety of subject areas which provide you with the opportunity to study a range of additional industry recognised qualifications, to help you achieve above and beyond what you ever thought possible in your career.