There are many advantages to being a mature student it can be an asset to your learning as you have more skills and life experiences than younger learners. These skills have been developed through work and family life, including managing your own time and dealing with multiple tasks.
Returning to learning can help to refresh and update skills that you already have or you can learn new skills giving you the chance to start a new career path. Visit our
case studies to find out how other adult learners in the east midlands have benefited from gaining new qualifications.
Visit the links on the left for useful information about finance, childcare and types of courses for adults. There are also some usfeul links and documents featured below.
Careers Advice (Direct Gov)
Careers Advice offer practical advice to help you make the right career choices whether you want to learn new skills, change career or return to work.
http://careersadvice.direct.gov.uk/
Careersbox
This website features video case studies of careers.
http://www.careersbox.co.uk/
Derby Adult Learning Service
The Derby Adult Learning Service provides high quality education for adult learners. It aims to meet the needs of local communities and individuals, encouraging lifelong learning through partnership with other education and learning providers. Find out what courses are available, details of course fees and reductions, learner's comments and how to enrol.
www.adult-learning-derby.org.uk
Next Step
Next Step is a free careers information and advice service for all adults aged 20 or more. Visit the below link to find your nearest next step centre:
http://www.nextstepeastmidlands.org.uk/
Skills Accounts
The Skills Accounts website allows you to identify the skills you have, skills you need and can help you access careers advice and support.
https://skillsaccounts.direct.gov.uk/Pages/default.aspx
The Student Room
Being launched by Higher Education Minister, David Lammy,
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/maturestudents has been created by the Department of Innovation Universities & Skills in association with Studentroom.com. It includes an interactive map, so potential students can see at-a-glance what the offerings are in a particular area, video case studies of current and past mature students and forum and discussion areas to share experiences and thoughts.
Unistats
A website to help you make an informed choice when deciding which university or college to apply to.
http://www.unistats.com/
Worker's Educational Association (WEA) East Midlands Region
The WEA offers a wide range of courses for adults across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire. Classes are run through local branches, their community outreach programme or through the workplace. The branches - 60 over the East Midlands, ranging from Matlock in the Peak Region to Skegness on the east coast - are based in villages, towns and cities such as Nottingham, Lincoln, Leicester and Derby.
http://www.wea.org.uk/Contact/eastmidland/index.html