Mature students
Mature students make an important contribution to the intellectual life of the Department. The experiences they bring to their studies help to produce lively debates in seminars, and their commitment and enthusiasm are valued by staff and fellow students alike. Consequently, we are particularly enthusiastic about attracting such applicants.
We appreciate that students come to university from a diverse range of backgrounds and with a diverse range of qualifications. If you would like to have an informal chat about what you need to do to enrol in an English degree at Queen Mary, email our admissions tutors. They will be happy to assist you with any queries you have regarding both the courses available to you and the application process. For more information, have a look at our Applying to Queen Mary pages. The basic procedure is the same both for current sixth-formers and mature students.
Starting a university degree is a daunting experience for anyone, but it provides particular challenges and opportunities for those who have been out of full-time education for a while.
Testimonial from one of our students:
Silvia (Year One)
“I have had a very good experience as a mature student at Queen Mary. Initially, I chose this university for its reputation, but it was my interview that impressed me most, because the interviewer took such obvious joy in English Literature and skill in imparting information. I wanted to be part of an institution that enabled such an atmosphere to exist.
I was not disappointed: throughout my first year, the same atmosphere prevailed. All the lecturers and seminar leaders seemed involved in the pleasure that the study of English can afford. My fears and reservations soon disappeared. I realised that my age didn't matter at all and that my teachers and fellow students welcomed my contributions to discussions in seminars. Anyone who can study full-time would benefit from the lively interaction that occurs unfailingly in these seminars and the immediacy of the lectures.”