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?
- What is higher education or HE?
- Higher education: the basics
- What HE can offer
- HE is for everyone
- Guide to qualifications
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
- Advanced 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)
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
Advanced 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
- Independent and online providers
- Useful links
- Universities – Level 4 and up
- Further education (FE) Colleges – Level 2 and upwards