As higher education continues to evolve, an increasing number of mature students are finding their place in college lecture theatres, proving that learning doesn’t have an age limit.
These students, typically defined as individuals who are at least 23 years old on the 1 January of the year of entry to college, are bringing diverse perspectives, life experiences, and a strong drive for academic success.
According to Rob O’Halloran, PATH 3 Project Officer, MIC Student Life Office; “MIC Limerick and MIC Thurles offers opportunities to mature learners within a friendly, relaxed environment with specialist supports to help them on what can be a transformational journey. As a mature applicant you can apply for MIC’s Level 8 undergraduate programmes or alternatively one of the College’s part-time programmes to get a taste of, or prepare for, a course of study. We want to help you choose the right learning pathway, and attending the information session on Wednesday 9 April (11am-12.30pm) at MIC Limerick is the first step in the process.”
The benefits of returning to education as a mature learner are many and varied. With life experience comes a better focus and motivation to study, you are better placed to apply what you learn to practical as well as academic scenarios, and employers like to hire mature graduates due to their mix of experience and academic know-how. At MIC we also help mature students navigate the unique challenges including balancing family responsibilities, work commitments, and financial constraints.
At the information session, you’ll learn about MIC’s specific programmes for mature learners including the Teacher Education Access Programme (TEAP), designed for applicants who are interested in applying to the Bachelor of Education (Primary-level) but do not meet the minimum entry requirements, and the Pre-University Programme for Mature Learners, which is aimed at adult learners from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds who wish to continue their education and whose educational experiences and opportunities in their earlier years may have been limited.
A number of MIC’s Level 8 programmes are currently accepting late applications via the CAO from mature learners, including the Bachelor of Arts (BA), B Sc in Psychology, BA in Drama and English, BA in English Language and Literature, BA in Early Childhood Care & Education and the College’s range of post-primary teacher degrees offered on MIC’s Thurles campus. The session will cover these programmes as well as detail resources – academic, financial, and other – that are available to mature students at MIC. There will also be an opportunity to speak with current mature students.
According to MIC Thurles Business and Gaeilge student Shane Griffin; “My advice for any mature student or anyone looking to return to education is to go for it! I always wanted to try a college degree out from when I was younger but unfortunately things didn’t work out for me the first time round. I’ve really enjoyed my time at MIC Thurles. Returning to education is quite a big change in your life but is extremely rewarding.”
No matter what your age, there are plenty of extracurricular activities to get involved in at MIC and services designed to help learners in their individual college journey such as the Student Parent Support Service and the Academic Learning Centre.
According to BA graduate (History and English) Vickey Griffin; “For any mature student that wants to apply to MIC definitely go for it. I came up through the Pre-University Programme (PUP) at MIC. I loved the challenge of coming to college and I couldn’t have done it without the help of a lot of resources at MIC like the Academic Learning Centre, and the counselling services. I’ve been helped every step of the way.”
Closing date for applications to the CAO is 1 May 2025.
Book your Information Session place here.