Supporting you
As a mature student, you will have access to all the same support, guidance and help as our other students - plus some additional, dedicated support.
Student support services
- The Student Welfare Service provides help with practical matters such as childcare, finances and accommodation. They also hold regular legal advice clinics.
- The Career Development Service can help you channel your new educational experiences into your refreshed CV. They also offer workshops on interview skills and other aspects of developing your employability.
- The AccessAbility Centre offers support and practical help for students with dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties such as physical or mental health, or mobility difficulties.
Students’ Union
The Students’ Union is a central building on the main campus and provides a range of student support, alongside the support provided by the University itself. Union services include SULETS for finding reliable private student accommodation, and ED (The Education Unit) which provides help with various aspects of studying such as mitigating circumstances and issues with your course that the University might not directly be able to help with.
The Union has a Mature and Part-Time Students Officer, ensuring that mature students don't get forgotten when matters are being discussed. There is also a Mature Students Society.
Personal Tutors
Based in your department, your personal tutor is there to support you with academic and pastoral advice. They are usually the first port of call when you need support and can direct you to the right service for you. Regular meetings with your personal tutor are recommended.
Blackboard and newsletter
As a mature student, you will be added to a 'Mature Student Space' on Blackboard, our Virtual Learning Environment. This module has useful information and signposts to University support services and events specifically for mature students. We also send out a mature students’ newsletter every fortnight with news and events taking place at the University and in the City.
Mature Students Welcome Event
We have a series of sessions for new mature students to log into and find out a bit more about what being a mature student at the University of Leicester is like. The sessions take place in the weeks before the new academic year starts. You can drop into one or all of the sessions to suit you, and recorded versions will be available later so you can access them if you aren’t able to join us at the time.
For the 2021-22 academic year we have combined the sessions into our new Headstart programme for new incoming students. Make sure you are checking the to see what is on offer to suit you. We will have a few sessions that are more directed at mature students such as: practicalities of being a student – jargon busting, a welcome from the Part-time and mature Students’ Officer and a social event.
Unibuddies
Our Unibuddies are available to chat to you when it suits you. You can message current mature students or staff members who will be able to answer your questions or point you in the right direction. If you scroll through the list you will see which students are studying your area of interest, what courses they studied to get into University and if they are a mature student.
Students with dependants
We like to make sure that students with children or dependants are supported at University. The Parents’ & Carers Network meets regularly and provides support for students and staff who have caring responsibilities. Any enquiries can be directed to carers_parents@leicester.ac.uk.