My Mature Entry Offer Scheme journey

Hi, I’m Patric and I’m a third year mature Games Design student here at York St John. I’m going to explain how I got to university through the Mature Entry Offer Scheme.

Looking around

My interest in higher education started a few months after leaving the military and taking a job back in my hometown. I realised after 2 months of being back that I wanted to pdo something else. This is when I started to look at university.

I looked through a lot of different universities and different courses. Out of all of them, YSJ caught my eye. I saw an online advert for their mature entry scheme. The scheme was open to those who had been out of education for 3 years or more, over the age of 21. Right then, I decided that this would be my way into university.

Discovering the Mature Entry Offer Scheme

The scheme enables people like me, who didn’t do much in terms of A-levels and further education, to get onto a course. Non-traditional qualifications, as well as life experiences, are considered. I visited the YSJ website and started the application process by completing the application form and writing a personal statement. The text outlined my motivations for studying and some of my past experiences. 2 weeks after applying, I got a reply from the Admissions team. They asked me to complete a short essay on my chosen subject and I was invited to an open day to speak with my potential course lecturer.

After I had submitted my essay and spoken to the lecturer, I was more than thrilled when I got my offer to start my studies in September 2023. It was a bit of a whiplash moment. I’d gone from a 26-year-old KFC fry cook to a future student pursuing a course I was fascinated by. The course I chose was Games Design. Throughout the process, I was worried about being too old for university or being the oldest in my class. However, I was supported and reassured that I wouldn’t be treated any differently from other students.

Where I am today

Now I’m entering my last year and I’m on track for a 2:1 and have expanded my CV! I do all sorts of things on campus that I never even dreamed of. I’m currently a sitting member of the Students’ Union trustee board and a health and safety officer for a sports club. My experience with the trustee board helped get me a job at York Minster!

I am where I am because of the Mature Entry Offer Scheme (and my own hard work). I’ll leave university not only with a degree, but the tools necessary to succeed in anything I want to. Sign up today, you won’t regret it!

For more information about studying at York St John University, please read Grace’s blog on the subject.