5 Reasons to Return to Education as an Adult
Think university is just for 18-year-olds fresh out of college or sixth form? Think again!
In 2024, almost 110,000 people aged 21 or over enrolled on a higher education course in the UK. They knew it was never too late to learn – and you should, too.
If you’re considering becoming part of this growing cohort of adults returning to education, here’s five reasons why you should make it #mytime for learning with the help of University Centre Rotherham.
1. Improve your career and earning prospects
Got aspirations to move up the career ladder but stunted by a lack of qualifications? Higher education can help you reach that next step.
That might be doing a degree course to progress to senior roles, or gaining a management or leadership qualification to earn you that promotion.
Along with career progression and better job satisfaction, higher education will help you acquire newer, modern, relevant skills that make you more valuable to employers.
And while money isn’t everything, there is a strong correlation between education and salary expectations. By returning to education and achieving higher qualifications, you open doors to higher-paying jobs and greater financial security.
2. Start a new career
Still answering the question of ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’ Feeling stuck or uninspired in your current job? Maybe it’s time for a career change.
A higher education course can help you pursue those ambitions you’ve had at the back of your mind for years. Maybe you’ve always wanted to work in health care or with animals. Or perhaps you’ve realised you’d love to teach.
Not sure what you want to do? Look at your skills and previous work experience and see how these could be applied to other industries. Be inspired by our wide range of foundation and bachelor degrees here at University Centre Rotherham.
If you already have a level 3 qualification, you could try something completely different like a HTQ (higher technical qualification) that is a new hands-on approach to learning with a big focus on in-demand STEM careers.
3. Expand your professional network
Going back to university allows you to meet new people, opening doors to new opportunities and creating valuable connections that can benefit your career.
Here at University Centre Rotherham, our higher education courses are all vocational based. That means we work closely with employers to ensure our students are gaining those employability skills that are needed out in industry. These employers offer a series of talks, live projects, workshops and masterclasses.
So you never know, you might just meet your future employer while studying at University Centre Rotherham.
4. Unlock your true potential
Always thought higher education was out of your reach? You don’t know what you’re capable of until you try.
Education as an adult is empowering. Expanding your skills through higher education will be a huge boost to your self-esteem, giving you the confidence to face whatever lies ahead in both your career and personal life.
The hardest part will be walking through those campus doors for the first time. But once you’re through the threshold, we’ll welcome you with open arms and give you the support you need to thrive and live your best life.
And just think how proud you’ll be when it comes to graduation day and you can say you finally did it.
5. Resume your love of learning
Returning to education doesn’t need to be part of a career move or an earnings boost. Sometimes you just want to do it because you love to learn.
Going back to the classroom means making time for yourself, something you might have neglected in recent years due to family or work responsibilities.
As well as developing your theoretical and practical knowledge in your chosen field, you’ll learn valuable skills like resilience, adaptability, and critical thinking that will play a big role in your personal growth and development.
#MyTime begins at University Centre Rotherham
With a wide range of full-time and part-time courses on offer, University Centre Rotherham is here to make it #MyTime for learning.
As an adult learner, you’ll have access to a variety of support and resources to help you balance your higher education course alongside other responsibilities, ensuring that your return to education is both manageable and rewarding.
These include academic guidance from our HE achievement coach, additional learning support, a counselling service, digital support, and a dedicated careers service for adults.
Most of our higher education courses are subject to course fees that are payable via tuition loans. But you may be eligible for financial support to help you succeed.