Becoming a mature student: how adult applicants weigh the advantages and disadvantages of higher education

Osborne, M. , Marks, A. and Turner, E. (2004) Becoming a mature student: how adult applicants weigh the advantages and disadvantages of higher education. Higher Education, 48(3), pp. 291-315. (doi: 10.1023/B:HIGH.0000035541.40952.ab)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/B:HIGH.0000035541.40952.ab

Abstract

<p> The data presented in this paper is taken from the results of two much larger studies of mature student decision-making and Higher Education (HE), which consider processes of agency from initial consideration of the possibility of becoming a student to eventually becoming one. In this paper, six categories of applicant to HE are discussed: </p> <ul> <li>`Delayed traditional students',</li> <li>`Late starters' who have undergone a life-transforming event e.g. redundancy or divorce and require `a new start'</li> <li>`Single parents',</li> <li>`Careerists', who are currently in employment who seek a qualification to make progress in their existing careers,</li> <li>`Escapees' who are currently in employment who want a qualification as a way out of `dead-end' jobs,</li> <li>Finally, the `personal growers', a small number pursuing education for its own sake</li> </ul> <br /> <p> These categories of applicants are discussed inlight of the factors that both catalyse andinhibit individuals' decision-making duringapplication to HE. </p>

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Osborne, Professor Michael
Authors: Osborne, M., Marks, A., and Turner, E.
Subjects:L Education > LC Special aspects of education > LC5201 Education extension. Adult education. Continuing education
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Social Justice Place and Lifelong Education
College of Social Sciences > School of Education > People, Place & Social Change
Journal Name:Higher Education
ISSN:0018-1560
ISSN (Online):1573-174X

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record