We have lots of mature students here at Sheffield Hallam. And with that comes loads of support to help you succeed, no matter how long you’ve been away from education.

SHU Progress support

SHU Progress provides support for applicants whose personal circumstances might mean there are barriers to going to university; and mature students are one of the groups SHU Progress supports. The scheme provides additional support throughout your application process, from the year you choose to apply to university through to becoming a university student.

The SHU Progress team can support with making your application, getting everything in place to begin university life, and ensuring you can access all the support you are entitled to. Learn more about SHU Progress.

Study support

As a mature student, you may have more pressure on your time. Whether you have children, a job, or other personal commitments, we can help you keep up with your studies.

At the start of the year, you can ask to change classes if your timetable clashes with life outside of university.

And if something unexpected comes up during the year, you may be able to get an extended deadline through our Extenuating Circumstances Policy and Procedure (PDF, 173.6KB).

If you’ve been out of studying for a while, you may find that technology, teaching styles and projects have changed, but this shouldn’t put you off. Your academic adviser is there to help you adjust quickly. The Skills Centre also has fantastic resources to boost your skills ready for assignments.

As with all our students, you can reach out to our student support advisers and employability advisers for help with everything from wellbeing to finding a job.

Support for student parents

Our student parents page has information on ways we can help you manage studies around childcare.

Financial help

Our financial support can make studying more feasible for you. Here are some schemes on offer:

• Student Success Scholarship: You’re eligible to apply if you’re a carer, parent, or have a low household income.
• Hallam Hardship Fund: One-off payments to help you through unexpected financial difficulties while you’re studying.

Meeting other mature students

We have a big mature student community at Hallam. You can meet other people of a similar age to you through the Mature Student Group. It has a Facebook Group, where you can connect with people and learn from their experiences of student life.

There’s also a mature student rep at the advice centre, who you can speak to if you think the university could better support people like you.