Mature students return to education to advance their career, become a subject expert or change career direction.
Read about Jolene and Tom’s successful return, their challenges and rewards and how they juggled family commitments, work responsibilities, and the academic environment.
Jolene Beatson, MA Human Resource Management, took a career break to raise her children. With a background in law, she’s reshaped her career aspirations and proven her determination to succeed.
‘When my children were older, I began to think about returning to work full-time and I realised I needed qualifications. I decided to improve my career prospects and move into a different sector.
‘Aged 14 I was told that I am not the sort of person who goes to university. I have dyslexia, so I spent my entire life believing I couldn’t do it. I took an access to higher education course at college. I have taught myself ways to overcome my learning difficulties; and my life experience helps me understand the content being taught.
‘I completed my degree while working part time and treated study like a full-time job, making sure my laptop was closed by 6pm and not studying on weekends, although I did read in my downtime.’
Tom Coley, MSc Digital Marketing, had over 20 years of ecommerce and marketing experience, and was motivated ‘to be better, to do business better and to challenge myself’.
Tom sought deeper knowledge to stay ahead in an evolving industry and was driven by the personal challenge, a desire for growth, fresh perspectives and renewed purpose. Juggling studies, work and parenting, Tom credits the University’s support and loyalty discount for enabling his journey.
‘I had built a successful career through hands-on experience, but I had reached a plateau. Postgraduate study gave me the chance to refine my skills, push myself further and contribute more meaningfully to a field I’ve dedicated my career to.
‘A huge part of my decision was personal validation. I was in a rut, personally and professionally, and I knew that if I didn’t take charge of my own development I was going to stay stuck. I wanted something to pull me out of the comfort zone to challenge me and force me to grow. I knew that going back to university was exactly what I needed to reset, re-evaluate and take back control of where I was headed.
‘Balancing a full-time MSc, a new role and being a single parent was one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done. There were plenty of times when it felt overwhelming – late nights spent writing assignments, juggling last-minute childcare issues, and moments where I didn’t know whether I was coming or going. But that’s exactly what I signed up for. I wanted to see what I could achieve if I gave it everything I had, even when it was tough. Growth only happens when you step outside your comfort zone and I embraced that challenge fully.’
Our support for you
As for wondering whether you’ll fit in with a year group of students potentially a little younger than you … a key advantage of returning to education as a mature student is the wealth of life experiences you bring to the table. Your unique perspective enriches classroom discussions, fosters diverse learning environments and inspires your peers. You make a valuable and impactful contribution.
And as for the support services we offer – they’re second to none. Our Student Futures team can help you plan your career steps. For academic support, our Library runs workshops for help with academic writing, delivering presentations, and preparing for assessments and exams. Student Life offers information, advice and support outside of the classroom, including finance, mental health and disability.
The Buttery is an exclusive postgraduate lounge open 24/7, offering individual and collaborative work spaces, a quiet zone and a computer lab, as well as a social lounge and refreshment facilities.
