Lifelong learning journeys prove it’s never too late to re-enter higher education
A rising number of mature students are returning to higher education, signalling a growing belief that university is no longer confined to a single stage of life. Data from recent years in the UK shows that 48% of all students were mature, while 39% of undergraduate entrants were over 21. Driven by career development and personal fulfilment, mature students are re-enteringhigher education with a renewed focus and valuable life experience, and regional university admissions counsellors atUniHawkare helping returners navigate that journey.
Dubai-based Mononita Chatterjee returned to university to pursue her long-standing interest in human rights law, after more than two decades working in education, and 28 years after completing her master’s degree
One such example is Dubai-based teacher Mononita Chatterjee, whose story reflects the motivations and challenges shared by many mature students. After more than two decades working in education, and 28 years after completing her master’s degree, Mononita decided to return to university to pursue her long-standing interest in human rights law. With her own children also enrolled in higher education, she embarked on an LLM at the University of Nottingham in the UK.
UniHawk guidance counsellor, Shivani Kumar, says: “Education is not a one-time milestone; it is a lifelong journey.’
Like many mature applicants, Mononita found the application process daunting after a long break from formal study. She explains, “I hadn’t realised how demanding the application process had become, so the support I received from UniHawk was invaluable. They guided me in shaping a clear academic pathway and helped me present my experience confidently and effectively.”
UniHawk guidance counsellor, Shivani Kumar, says Mononita’s journey reflects the shifting perspective on returning to formal education later in life. She explains, “Education is no longer a one-time milestone; it is a lifelong journey, and we always encourage learners of all ages to advance their personal and professional development through university studies. At UniHawk, we are increasingly supporting experienced professionals who choose to return to university yet often face practical challenges around family and financial responsibilities or are simply questioning their sense of belonging in an academic environment.”
Even beyond the application process, returning to education is not without its challenges, and for Mononita, relocating overseas for her studies meant managing homesickness, adapting to a new academic system, and studying alongside much younger peers. She reflects, “I was surrounded by classmates, mostly in their twenties and yet we connected instantly, and I made some lifelong friends. I also had to manage my finances carefully, so I undertook part-time work during my studies to balance the budget.”
Having embraced the journey, Mononita, who is now enrolled in a PhD program, says she learnt as much from her peers as from her coursework; an outcome that Kumar says works both ways. She remarks, “Our experience shows that mature students bring different perspectives and real-world insights that enrich the academic environment both for themselves and their peers, while helping them to rediscover their potential and launch the next stage of their career.”
Offering her advice for others contemplating a return to education after a long break, Mononita concludes, “Don’t wait for the perfect time because it will never come. Believe in yourself and rediscover your potential but also recognise that you don’t have to do it alone; there is guidance available to help you through the process.”