Collaboration in action

Mature student experience at Loughborough

In our APP, we have committed to researching the challenges mature students may experience at Loughborough.

What we did:

Working with Professor Hilary McDermott, Dr David Maidment, and their academic study team, we undertook a sequential exploratory approach where qualitative data collection and analysis will inform the development of a survey for quantitative data collection. Sixteen students, grouped by their self-identified status (mature only, commuting only, or both), participated in focus groups or interviews. This has highlighted the following key themes shaping the experiences of mature and commuting students at the university:

What we found:

Online Resources and Hybrid Learning

Whilst online learning resources were consistently praised by mature and commuting students for their accessibility, flexibility, and ability to support independent study, students also highlighted notable inconsistencies in the organisation and delivery of content.

Campus Facilities and Timetabling

Commuting students highlighted the difficulty of managing long gaps between lectures, citing a lack of comfortable and accessible spaces to work or relax on campus.

Social Integration and Ageism

Mature and commuting students frequently described challenges in socially integrating with their younger peers. Many spoke of feeling like outsiders, often due to a significant age gap and a sense that the university community was not structured with them in mind.

Academic and Staff Connections

Mature students generally found it easier to connect with academic staff than with their younger peers, often forming positive and supportive professional relationships. However, experiences with academic and pastoral support varied considerably across schools/departments.

The research also showed that mature and commuting students at Loughborough bring strengths like adaptability, self-reliance, and strong time management from their life and work experience. However, they also face significant, often overlooked challenges that impact their university experience.

What next

This research generated a wide range of suggestions for activities that could address the challenges. However, based on the findings, three recommendations emerged as the most effective, logistically feasible, and capable of addressing multiple challenges at once:

  • Dedicated social and relaxation spaces: Students suggested creating a dedicated "home" or common room for commuter and mature students with comfortable seating and cooking facilities, which could facilitate informal meetings and foster a sense of community.
  • Mature Student Association: A staff supported, student-led society to deliver orientation events helping mature and commuter students to connect with their peers and foster peer support and a shared identity.
  • Expanded hybrid learning provision: Increasing the availability of hybrid learning options, particularly through recording seminars and workshops, would significantly benefit students with caring responsibilities, long commutes, or health-related barriers to attendance.

Research into the experiences of mature and commuter students, and the challenges they face in continuing and completing their studies, will continue through an anonymous online survey. This will help explore the prevalence of these challenges across a broader group of Loughborough students.