Home › Student sites▻Student Services▻Access Centre▻Access Programmes▻Mature Students

Mature Students

Welcome

Welcome

to the Mature Students Homepage

Mature Students contribute greatly to the campus bringing with them a wealth of valuable life experience. They are a valued part of NUI Galway's community. Mature Students can be found across all disciplines, in many programmes and at all levels.

FAQs

Coming to University to study for a third level qualification and experience University life can be a special experience for mature students.  There are many benefits to returning to education including improving your employment prospects and developing your intellectual interests.  The National University of Ireland, Galway welcomes students who wish to return to formal education for personal or professional reasons and provides a broad range of full-time and part-time courses and services to allow you to accomplish your goals.

The following pages will give you advice on applying as a mature student, degrees that you can apply for, entry criteria, assessment procedures and essential information on finances and supports. 

Mature Student Experiences

Owen Ward- Arts Graduate

From Galway, I completed the Access Course for Mature Students at NUI Galway in 2010. Upon successful completion of this part-time course, I started a full-time degree in Arts with Human Rights in the University.  I have just finished my final year and am now entering an M.A. in History.  As a mature student I have had the opportunity of running the Mature Students Society for a number of years and helped found the Galway Brasov Group, where we are currently raising funds and awareness for disadvantaged children in Romania.  As a  mature student  I have  gained  confidence in my abilities and  developed many academic attributes which I will continue to use while studying for  my Masters.

Carmen Filioreanu-Corporate Law Student

Originally from Romania, I always had an interest in law particularly how it worked in business. My friend advised me to do the Foundation Diploma Course in Business which I started in 2013. I learned so much on the course including economics and accountancy. I met wonderful tutors who helped me prepare to go on to a full-time degree in Corporate Law.  I am thrilled that I have now started first year of Corporate Law at NUI Galway. Already I have met fellow mature students and feel ready for the next 3 years of study.

Jarek Jakubowicz- Engineering Student

I moved from Poland a few years ago where I completed my high school diploma. I did not have the opportunity to progress to a University when I was younger. I worked in the building industry for years and was very interested in NUI Galway’s full-time degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. I needed maths and science for this degree so enrolled in the Diploma in Foundation Studies in Science, Technology and Engineering in 2013. I was thrilled to get such high grades in the course which has now led me to my first year as an engineering student at NUI Galway on a course that truly excites me.