First Year at University: A Study of Mature Female Students

Six mature women students were interviewed about their first year at university. Overall they enjoyed their courses. All agreed that as a result of their year their outlook on life had changed; they felt more confident and independent. They differed from the majority of undergraduates in that they had to cope not only with their studies, but with a variety of personal, domestic, and child-care problems. The findings of the study are similar to those of other studies in Northern Ireland which have investigated the reasons why women leave the formal educational system between the ages of 16 and 25 and their attitudes and reactions to re-entering education as mature students.