Advice for Adult Learners
Summary: Answers to the most frequently asked questions about returning to education as an adult learner.
What is a Adult Learner? At James Watt College, a Adult Learner - or adult returner
- is classed as anyone who will be 25 years of age or over at the time of enrolling
on to their chosen course.
Q: What's different about attending college as a Adult Learner?
Attending college can be an intimidating experience for anyone, however, if you've
been away from education for a long period of time, returning to study can be even
more daunting. Fitting in with a new group of people, getting into a new routine
of attending lectures and tutorials and finding the time and energy to concentrate
on completing class work and assignments can be particularly challenging.
Being a Adult Learner does, however, have its benefits. You'll bring a wealth
of knowledge and experience from the 'real' world, with work and life
experience - which counts for a lot in a college learning environment. What's
more, Adult Learners also bring a balanced perspective to study, which helps focus
more effeciently on important areas of their course, and is useful in helping keep
a cool head when exams or coursework deadlines are looming!
Experience shows that Adult Learners are often highly motivated in their chosen
area of study, usually because they have a genuine enthusiasm and interest in their
chosen programme.
Q: No formal qualifications?
Many Adult Learners have no formal academic qualifications. This is not necessarily
a problem for gaining access onto college courses as work experience is taken into
consideration. What's more, everyone who applies for one of our courses is
interviewed, giving you a chance to discuss your background and experience with
a lecturer.
Q: What about financial assistance?
Finance can be an area of particular difficulty for Adult Learners who may have
been accustomed to a certain level of income in the past. If you're a mature
student you're also more likely to have financial commitments, such as maintenance
of a home and family. There are, therfore a number of additional forms of financial
support for Adult Learners, including supplementary grants for lone parents, students
who are maintaining two homes and more. As a Adult Learner you will also be able
to apply for standard funding support depending on the level and duration of your
chosen course.
Q: I am a full-time mother, with two young children. Are there any child care
facilities at the college if I decide to become a full-time student?
There is a nursery in the Finnart Campus, Greenock and the North Ayrshire Campus,
Kilwinning for children between the ages of three and five. This facility, which
may be free of charge to eligible parents or guardians, is provided for students
during class times or placements. We are also pioneering a new pilot initiative
for students at our Greenock campuses for child care provision for under-threes.
The Pre-3 Centre is located in the Greenock Sports Centre, and is run in conjunction
with Child Care Enterprise.
If your child does not have a place at the college nursery you may be entitled to
addtional financial assistance to help wtih costs associated with child care whilst
you are at college. To apply you must be a registered full-time or part-time student
at James Watt College. Your or your partner must also be receiving Child Benefit
payments for the child/children, have a household income not in excess of £28,000
and you must be the sole carer of the child/children prior to attending college.
Costs can include child care and extra travel to take your child to a registered
child care provider. You do not have to repay the money.
If you would like to find out more about child care support, contact our Learner Support Centre.