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GROWS for mature and adult learners

Higher education for adult and mature learners

Students over the age of 19 are often referred to as adult learners or mature learners. Some adult learners have complex circumstances and require specific information to help them navigate their way to further and higher education. If you’re considering returning to or continuing with your education, use this page to find out everything you need to know about:

  • funding and support
  • qualifications and how they differ
  • local options for further and higher education (FE and HE)

Use the below headings to quickly find out all you need to know about:

What is higher education or HE?

Qualification by type

Routes into higher education

What is higher education or HE?

What is higher education or HE?

Higher education: the basics

What HE can offer

HE is for everyone

Guide to qualifications

Qualification by type

A Levels (Level 3)

Access to Higher Education (Level 3)

Adult maths and English (Level 2)

GCSEs

BTEC Levels 1, 2 & 3

Level 3 Extended Diploma

Higher, degree and advanced apprenticeships (Levels 3 to 7)

Higher apprenticeship

Degree apprenticeship

Higher National Certificate or HNC (Level 4)

Higher National Diploma or HND (Level 5)

Higher Technical Qualifications (Levels 4 and 5)

Foundation Degree (Levels 4 and 5)

Undergraduate Degree (Level 4 to 6)

Professional qualifications (Levels 2 to 4)

Routes into higher education

Routes into higher education

If you do not have GCSEs

Applying through UCAS

Real-life routes into HE

Further education funding

Higher education funding

Childcare/dependants

Having enough time to study

Studying in Gloucestershire

Useful links