Adult learners
At Bradford, we use the term 'adult learner' to describe anyone who is considering applying to university after a break in education, and/or is applying with non-traditional qualifications.
Adult learners currently make up around a third of our undergraduate community and we welcome their contribution to life at the University of Bradford.
Our knowledgeable and friendly Outreach and Recruitment Team are on hand to support students in returning to education. They run a range of webinars for adult learners, providing advice on key topics such as study choices, applications, interviews and student finance.
Returning to learn
Returning to education after a break can be a scary prospect but there are many reasons to take the plunge and do it, like improving your job prospects and pursuing your passion.
These are just the tip of the iceberg, so we asked some of our adult learners about their reasons for their journey back into learning.
This is where I want to be
Ken is an adult learner on our BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science course and returned to education after an 18-year gap. Find out about his experience of studying at Bradford in this video.
Progression Scheme
The progression scheme is designed to benefit undergraduate applicants whose personal and educational circumstances mean they could be less likely to receive an offer based on our standard entry criteria.
As part of the scheme, applicants will automatically receive a reduced offer of 8 UCAS points lower than our standard entry criteria.
Support for adult learners
We are committed to making higher education as accessible as possible for adult learners and can support you in a number of ways:
- Step Up to HE: our Step Up to Higher Education (HE) programme provides the perfect opportunity to meet other students and members of staff, whilst beginning to develop some of the key skills you will need to make a success of your studies
- Academic Skills: our team helps students with all areas of academic study and interpersonal skills, including maths and numeracy, note-taking, reading, time management and presentations
- Career and Employability Services: experienced careers advisers can help you to decide upon your career direction, find job opportunities and develop your employability through accredited modules, seminars and one-to-one career guidance interviews
- Nursery: our nursery offers affordable and high-quality childcare and educational experiences to children from 12 weeks to five years for University of Bradford students, staff and members of the public
- Bursaries: we have a number of bursaries available for home students, providing financial support throughout your studies
- Dedicated adult learner advisers: to offer support and guidance throughout your time at Bradford
Contact our Outreach and Recruitment Team
Caroline Priestley (Senior Outreach and Recruitment Officer) and the Outreach and Recruitment team are here to support you during the transition to Higher Education.
The team work with colleges to support students on Access courses, as well as people who are pre-qualified. The team can provide you with information on qualifications, course options and how to make your application stand out.
In addition, they can also organise personalised campus visits and answer any questions you may have about coming to Bradford as an adult learner.
Email: schoolsandcolleges@bradford.ac.uk
To find out more about how Caroline and the team can support you in returning to learn, take a look at our Adult Learner support blog.
Asking Adult Learners: Blog series
Chat to our students
The best way to find out what it's really like to study at Bradford is to speak to our current students.
Many of our students are adult learners who have gone on to become student ambassadors. They are happy to share their experiences and answers any questions you might have about returning to education.
Meet our Adult Learners
Chris and Laura Smith
Chris and Laura Smith chose to study at the University of Bradford as adult learners after working for over 20 years in the catering industry in a cafe.
They enrolled at the University in 2021, with both Chris and Laura choosing to follow their passion and study BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult).
We caught up with Chris and Laura to chat about their experiences of studying at the University of Bradford as adult learners.
