The University’s new Access and Participation Plan (APP) will be published in autumn 2024, setting out how we will continue to improve equality of opportunity for underrepresented groups to access, succeed in and progress from higher education. As part of this, the Student Engagement and Enhancement team are developing a programme to support the needs of mature students. We know from sector research and student feedback that community, belonging and support networks are key to course success, and need your support to ensure that all students are able to benefit from our offer.
“As a mature student and parent, it has been great to have the opportunity to make new friendships with people closer to my age, it has helped me feel more connected and engaged with university life.” - Natalia (Social Research Methods MSc)
Mature Students’ Guide to Sussex
Over the summer, we created our ‘Mature Students’ Guide to Sussex’, full of tips and advice for student life, written for, and by, mature students. If you’d like some copies for your department, please email S.E.Andrews@Sussex.ac.uk (a PDF version with accessible Word alternative is also available).
The Mature Students’ Community
The Community offers an accessible, consistent space for mature students to meet, form community, and access support meeting their needs. Based on feedback from activities delivered from 2021-2023, we offer a relaxed drop-in space on varying weekday lunchtimes, with most sessions planned by current Student Connectors. Staff from teams such as Careers, Student Advice and Academic Skills support as needed, signposting and offering light-touch support – just a few weeks in, we have already received feedback from students who have benefitted.
Sessions will run throughout semester 1 and 2, and include:
- Friday 25 October: Demystifying Academia.
- Thursday 7 November: Planning for assessments and essays.
- Tuesday 19 November: Health and wellbeing.
- Wednesday 4 December: Planning for the winter break.
For more information, students can visit our TicketTailor page, follow @SussexUniSEE on Instagram, or check student.sussex.ac.uk/events
“I thought coming into first year that it'd be difficult to avoid swinging between being either disconnected or disingenuous socially at uni, but being at the first drop-in showed me that my experience, while unique, wasn't at all abnormal - this community has been a great way for me to develop a sense of belonging at Sussex." - Dharma (Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence BSc)
Lifelong Learning Week
Lifelong Learning Week takes place from 4-8 November, celebrating and raising the profile of adult learners. Mature students are invited to join us for activities to recognise their achievements, tell their story and find their community.
The Mature Students' Community team will also be hosting a stand in the Student Centre atrium, Monday 4 – Thursday 7 November from 11am-1pm. Both students and staff are encouraged to drop by to find out more about our offer, and add to our display of mature student stories. If you, or any of your colleagues were mature students yourselves, we’d love you to take part – complete a profile sheet and return it to S.E.Andrews@Sussex.ac.uk, or pop in and see us!
Join our Community of Practice
Before the winter break we will create a new community of practice, where interested staff can come together to share discussion and effective approaches. As part of a series of events hosted by the Student Engagement and Enhancement Team to explore key APP themes, we also plan to hold a lunchtime workshop on 5 December (12-2pm TBC) focusing on the experiences of, and support for, mature students at Sussex. If you’d like to take part, please email Sarah Andrews (S.E.Andrews@Sussex.ac.uk) and we will contact you as soon as details are confirmed.
Get involved:
- Tell students you work with about the Mature Students’ Community and Lifelong Learning Week activities,
- Email S.E.Andrews@Sussex.ac.uk if you’d like copies of the Mature Students’ Guide to Sussex, to join the community of practice, or to book a place for the lunchtime workshop on 5 December – or all three!
- Encourage staff who were mature students to participate in our Lifelong Learning Week display in the Student Centre.