Mature student profiles

"Before I returned to the world of academia I had several careers: accountant, police officer and interior designer! My first degree was in Business Studies at the age of 18. Since then I had hungered to study English Literature and at 38 found myself in the position to go for it. I was scared, having not studied for 17 years, but knew I had to have a go. I visited Harris Manchester on an open day and knew this was where I wanted to be.

I’m sitting in our library while I write this and, even though I have been here for three years already (I studied an undergraduate degree before embarking on my Master’s) I still feel immensely privileged to be in beautiful surroundings studying a subject I love. All the staff here are so supportive both academically and personally so what seems terrifying at first is soon made familiar and homely. My only regret is that I didn’t come sooner!"

"I had always loved history. I started taking some history courses at Birkbeck College, and after a few modules I realised that I was ready to do a structured course. I knew that the Department for Continuing Education at Oxford offered one-to-one tutorials, that the class size would be relatively small, and that there would be a week’s full-time study after the first year which all seemed ideal.

To start with I was worried about everything from essays and class discussions to exams, but it really helped being part of a group.

After I completed my Foundation Certificate I was very keen to pursue an academic path, and the programme directors fully supported my application to Oxford University. I am now excited to be reading History as a second year undergraduate student."