Mature Student Admissions: Study in the UK at 21+ Without a Degree, Funded by Student Finance
Adult learners aged 21 and over can start a UK higher education course with no A-Levels and no previous degree. If you are a British national, an Irish citizen, hold EU Settlement Scheme status, Indefinite Leave to Remain, or refugee or humanitarian protection status, student finance can cover your tuition fees in full plus a maintenance loan for living costs. Apply in minutes and we submit your application for you, free.
Quick answer
You can study in the UK at 21+ without any formal qualifications by entering through an HND (Level 4/5) or a degree with a foundation year at a designated provider such as GBS. With Home fee status you borrow up to GBP 6,935 a year for tuition and up to GBP 13,762 a year for living costs, and you repay only when you earn over GBP 25,000.
Apply now: mature student admissions
No degree or A-Levels needed. Tell us your situation and our admissions team will confirm your eligibility and student finance options within one working day.
Who we can admit without formal qualifications
- Aged 21 or over on the first day of the course, with no A-Levels, BTEC or degree required.
- British national or Irish citizen living in the UK.
- Settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
- Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) holders.
- Refugee status or humanitarian protection granted by the Home Office.
- Three years of ordinary residence in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man before the course starts.
GBS course list for mature students (2026 intakes)
Full course list from globalbanking.ac.uk/courses. Courses are validated by partner universities including Bath Spa, Canterbury Christ Church, Oxford Brookes and the University of Suffolk, or awarded by Pearson. All courses are subject to availability.
Level 4/5 (HND)
| Course | Subject | Duration | Intakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HND in Business | Business & Finance | 2 years | October, January, June |
| HND in Health and Social Care Practice | Health & Social Care | 2 years | October, January, June |
| HND in Digital Technologies for England (Cyber Security) | Digital Technologies & Computing | 2 years | October, January, June |
| HND in Construction Management for England (Construction Design and Build Technician) | Construction Management | 2 years | October, January, June |
Degree with Foundation Year
| Course | Subject | Duration | Intakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA (Hons) Global Business and Entrepreneurship with Foundation Year | Business & Finance | 4 years | October, January, June |
| BA (Hons) Global Business (Business Management) with Foundation Year | Business & Finance | 4 years | October, February, June |
| BSc (Hons) Business and Tourism Management | Business & Finance | 4 years | September, January, June |
| BSc (Hons) Accounting and Financial Management | Business & Finance | 4 years | September, January, June |
| BSc (Hons) Project Management with Foundation Year | Project Management | 4 years | October, February, June |
| BSc (Hons) Computing with Foundation Year | Digital Technologies & Computing | 4 years | October, February, June |
| BSc (Hons) Construction Management with Foundation Year | Construction Management | 4 years | October, February, June |
| BSc (Hons) Health, Wellbeing and Social Care with Foundation Year | Health & Social Care | 4 years | October, January, June |
| BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling with Foundation Year | Psychology | 4 years | September, February, June |
Level 6 (Top-Up)
| Course | Subject | Duration | Intakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA (Hons) Business and Management (Level 6 Top-Up) | Business & Finance | 1 year | October, February, June |
| BSc (Hons) Health, Wellbeing and Social Care (Level 6 Direct Entry) | Health & Social Care | 1 year | October, January, June |
| BSc (Hons) Construction Management (Level 6 Top-Up) | Construction Management | 1 year | October, February, June |
Postgraduate
| Course | Subject | Duration | Intakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Global Business | Business & Finance | 1 year | October, February, June |
| MSc Project Management | Project Management | 1 year | September, February, June |
Study locations and nearby towns
Mature student places are available in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Coventry, Reading and Dudley, plus commuter towns such as Dewsbury, Batley, Bradford, Wolverhampton, Slough and Oldham.
Mature student courses in London
Also serving: Greenford, Stratford, Holborn, Wembley, Ilford, Hounslow, Croydon, Barking, Southall, Slough, Watford, Luton
Mature student courses in Birmingham
Also serving: Smethwick, West Bromwich, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Solihull, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Tipton, Oldbury
Mature student courses in Manchester
Also serving: Oldham, Rochdale, Bolton, Salford, Stockport, Bury, Ashton-under-Lyne, Wigan, Warrington
Mature student courses in Leeds
Also serving: Dewsbury, Batley, Bradford, Wakefield, Huddersfield, Halifax, Keighley, Pudsey, Castleford
Mature student courses in Liverpool
Also serving: Birkenhead, St Helens, Bootle, Wallasey, Widnes, Runcorn, Southport
Mature student courses in Reading
Also serving: Slough, Bracknell, Wokingham, Maidenhead, Newbury, High Wycombe, Basingstoke
Mature student courses in Coventry
Also serving: Nuneaton, Rugby, Bedworth, Leamington Spa, Warwick
Mature student courses in Dudley
Also serving: Stourbridge, Halesowen, Brierley Hill, Kingswinford, Wednesbury
How the application works
- 1Complete the form above with your name, phone, email, nationality and current UK status.
- 2We check your Home fee status and student finance eligibility, usually within one working day.
- 3We prepare your personal statement, ID and any work-experience evidence and submit your application directly to the provider.
- 4You attend a short interview or assessment, then receive your offer letter.
- 5We help you apply to Student Finance England at gov.uk before your intake starts.
What to prepare before you apply
As soon as you submit the form we email you a confirmation with your next steps and this document checklist. You do not need A-Levels, a BTEC or a degree to apply.
Which entry route fits you at 21+?
Mature students with no A-Levels, no BTEC and no degree normally start on one of these three routes. All of them are eligible for a Student Finance England tuition fee loan at a designated provider such as Global Banking School.
| Route | Who it suits | Length | Leads to |
|---|---|---|---|
| HND (Level 4/5) | No formal qualifications, strong work experience | 2 years | Top-up to a full honours degree in 1 year |
| Degree with foundation year | Returning to study after a long break | 4 years | BA or BSc honours degree |
| Level 6 top-up | Already hold an HND, HNC or foundation degree | 1 year | BA or BSc honours degree |
| Postgraduate | Hold a degree, want an MBA or MSc | 1 to 2 years | Masters, funded by a postgraduate loan |
2026 intake dates for mature students
You do not have to wait for the September UCAS cycle. Alternative providers run several intakes a year, so an adult learner can start within weeks rather than months.
October 2026
Main autumn intake, apply now
January 2027
Popular with January starters
February 2027
Late winter intake
June 2027
Summer intake, fewer applicants
Why adult learners choose this route
Mature student courses near you
We place mature students at campuses in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, with applicants commuting in from the towns listed below. Tell us your postcode on the form and we will recommend the closest campus and intake.
Mature student courses in London
Also serving Greenford, Stratford, Holborn, Wembley, Ilford, Hounslow, Croydon, Barking, Southall, Slough, Watford, Luton
Mature student courses in Birmingham
Also serving Smethwick, West Bromwich, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Solihull, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Tipton, Oldbury
Mature student courses in Manchester
Also serving Oldham, Rochdale, Bolton, Salford, Stockport, Bury, Ashton-under-Lyne, Wigan, Warrington
Mature student courses in Leeds
Also serving Dewsbury, Batley, Bradford, Wakefield, Huddersfield, Halifax, Keighley, Pudsey, Castleford
Mature student courses in Liverpool
Also serving Birkenhead, St Helens, Bootle, Wallasey, Widnes, Runcorn, Southport
Mature student courses in Reading
Also serving Slough, Bracknell, Wokingham, Maidenhead, Newbury, High Wycombe, Basingstoke
Mature student courses in Coventry
Also serving Nuneaton, Rugby, Bedworth, Leamington Spa, Warwick
Mature student courses in Dudley
Also serving Stourbridge, Halesowen, Brierley Hill, Kingswinford, Wednesbury
Popular searches this page answers
Mature student admissions FAQs
Can I go to university at 21 without A-Levels or a degree?
Yes. UK higher education providers such as Global Banking School admit mature students aged 21 and over on the strength of work experience, a personal statement and an interview. You can start on an HND at Level 4/5 or a degree with an integrated foundation year and progress to a full honours degree.
Can I use student finance to pay my tuition fees as a mature student?
Yes, if you have Home fee status. Eligible mature students can apply to Student Finance England for a tuition fee loan of up to GBP 6,935 per year at a designated alternative provider such as GBS, plus a maintenance loan of up to GBP 13,762 per year in London for living costs. Nothing is payable upfront.
Do refugees, EU Settlement Scheme and ILR holders qualify?
Usually yes. British nationals, Irish citizens, people with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, people with Indefinite Leave to Remain, and people with refugee status or humanitarian protection normally qualify for Home fees and student finance after three years of ordinary UK residence.
How long does a mature student application take?
Applications outside UCAS are direct to the provider, so decisions are fast. Once we submit your application we usually see an interview invitation within a few days and a conditional offer within one to two weeks, in time for the October, January, February and June intakes.
Do I have to stop working to study?
No. Courses are timetabled in blocks, typically two or three days a week, so mature students can keep working. Campuses in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds are commutable from towns such as Dewsbury, Dudley, Coventry, Liverpool, Reading and Slough.
Is there any cost to apply through Lightning Enrolment?
No. Our admissions support is free for students. We check your eligibility, prepare your documents and submit your application directly to the provider.
Lightning Enrolment is an independent admissions support service and is not part of GBS. Course details are taken from the official GBS website and are subject to change and availability. Student finance figures are the Student Finance England published maxima for 2025/26 and are for guidance only.