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Adult learners

At Bradford, we use the term 'adult learner' to describe anyone who is considering applying to university after a break in education, and/or is applying with non-traditional qualifications.

Adult learners currently make up around a third of our undergraduate community and we welcome their contribution to life at the University of Bradford.

Our knowledgeable and friendly Outreach and Recruitment Team are on hand to support students in returning to education. They run a range of webinars for adult learners, providing advice on key topics such as study choices, applications, interviews and student finance.

Returning to learn

Returning to education after a break can be a scary prospect but there are many reasons to take the plunge and do it, like improving your job prospects and pursuing your passion.

These are just the tip of the iceberg, so we asked some of our adult learners about their reasons for their journey back into learning. 

Read our blog to find out what they had to say >>

Grid image containing headshots of the six students featured in the adult learners blog.

This is where I want to be

Ken is an adult learner on our BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science course and returned to education after an 18-year gap. Find out about his experience of studying at Bradford in this video.

Progression Scheme

The progression scheme is designed to benefit undergraduate applicants whose personal and educational circumstances mean they could be less likely to receive an offer based on our standard entry criteria.

As part of the scheme, applicants will automatically receive a reduced offer of 8 UCAS points lower than our standard entry criteria.

Find out more about the Progression Scheme

Support for adult learners

We are committed to making higher education as accessible as possible for adult learners and can support you in a number of ways:

  • Step Up to HE: our Step Up to Higher Education (HE) programme provides the perfect opportunity to meet other students and members of staff, whilst beginning to develop some of the key skills you will need to make a success of your studies
  • Academic Skills: our team helps students with all areas of academic study and interpersonal skills, including maths and numeracy, note-taking, reading, time management and presentations
  • Career and Employability Services: experienced careers advisers can help you to decide upon your career direction, find job opportunities and develop your employability through accredited modules, seminars and one-to-one career guidance interviews
  • Nursery: our nursery offers affordable and high-quality childcare and educational experiences to children from 12 weeks to five years for University of Bradford students, staff and members of the public
  • Bursaries: we have a number of bursaries available for home students, providing financial support throughout your studies
  • Dedicated adult learner advisers: to offer support and guidance throughout your time at Bradford

Contact our Outreach and Recruitment Team

Caroline Priestley (Senior Outreach and Recruitment Officer) and the Outreach and Recruitment team are here to support you during the transition to Higher Education.

The team work with colleges to support students on Access courses, as well as people who are pre-qualified. The team can provide you with information on qualifications, course options and how to make your application stand out.

In addition, they can also organise personalised campus visits and answer any questions you may have about coming to Bradford as an adult learner.

Email: schoolsandcolleges@bradford.ac.uk

To find out more about how Caroline and the team can support you in returning to learn, take a look at our Adult Learner support blog.

Asking Adult Learners: Blog series

Kulchuma Begum

BA (Hons) Social Work

Headshot of University of Bradford student, Kulchuma Begum.

Kulchuma is a mum of two and second year Social Work student at the University. She returned to learn after working in various support roles within education. 
Headshot of University of Bradford student, Kulchuma Begum.

BA (Hons) Social Work

Wayne Ryalls

BA (Hons) Film and TV Production

Headshot of University of Bradford student Wayne Ryalls.

Wayne is a Film and TV production student at the University of Bradford, who continues to run his own business whilst studying here.
Headshot of University of Bradford student Wayne Ryalls.

BA (Hons) Film and TV Production

Jennifer Buck

BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy

Headshot of University of Bradford student, Jennifer Buck.

Jennifer is an adult learner studying Physiotherapy, here at Bradford. In this blog, she chats to us about her journey back into education, the support she’s accessed and student life at Bradford. 
Headshot of University of Bradford student, Jennifer Buck.

BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy

Tobias Pritchard

BSc (Hons) Game Design and Development

Headshot of University of Bradford student, Tobias Pritchard.

Tobias is a Game Design and Development student and has just completed his second year of study, here at Bradford. He started university after more than 20 years of working.
Headshot of University of Bradford student, Tobias Pritchard.

BSc (Hons) Game Design and Development

Elzarie Le Roux

BSc (Hons) Clinical Technology

Headshot of University of Bradford student, Elzarie Le Roux.

Elzarie is an international student based in South Africa and has been studying Clinical Technology from home this year, due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Headshot of University of Bradford student, Elzarie Le Roux.

BSc (Hons) Clinical Technology

Julia Pennington

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science

Headshot of adult learner student, Julia Pennington.

Julia is a Biomedical Science student who started studying at the University of Bradford during the Pandemic. In this blog she talks about her experiences as an adult learner student during her first year at Bradford. 

 
Headshot of adult learner student, Julia Pennington.

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science

Chat to our students

The best way to find out what it's really like to study at Bradford is to speak to our current students. 

Many of our students are adult learners who have gone on to become student ambassadors. They are happy to share their experiences and answers any questions you might have about returning to education.

Chat to our students

Meet our Adult Learners

Sean

BSc (Hons) Archaeology

A student smiling at the camera

Sean was inspired to study BSc Archaeology at Bradford through his experiences with Operation Nightingale and Breaking Ground Heritage following leaving the Navy.

He was able to spend three weeks on a University dig in the Orkney Islands and has been on TV shows talking about his experiences as a veteran undertaking archaeology.

He plans to eventually work as a full-time member of staff for Operation Nightingale as he believes archaeology has "saved his life."
A student smiling at the camera

BSc (Hons) Archaeology

Demi-Jo Morgan

BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child)

Child Nursing student, Demi-Jo Morgan, in uniform, stood in front of greenery.

Demi was inspired to study Child Nursing after her own personal experiences with her child.

She was able to do placements at three different hospitals.

She now has secured a permanent role at Pinderfields Hospital where she completed her final placement.
Child Nursing student, Demi-Jo Morgan, in uniform, stood in front of greenery.

BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child)

Isata Fofanah

Foundation in Clinical Sciences/Medicine

Isata Fofanah, Foundation in Clinical Sciences/Medicine

The opportunity to explore chemistry, biology and maths attracted her to the Foundation Year.

Knew she wanted to come to Bradford after attending an interview and meeting existing students.

Has taken advantage of academic skills sessions to develop her writing, referencing and presentation skills.
Isata Fofanah, Foundation in Clinical Sciences/Medicine

Foundation in Clinical Sciences/Medicine

Ken Bordt

BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science

Ken Bordt, BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science

Returned to education after an 18-year gap.

Was attracted to his course due to the varied scope of the role of paramedic.

Has been impressed by the support on offer at the University of Bradford.
Ken Bordt, BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science

BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science

Tina Bentley

MEng Chemical Engineering

Tina Bentley

Has three children and came to University after a break from education.

Is going to do a placement at Cummins in Huddersfield.

Enjoys using the cutting-edge software available at Bradford.
Tina Bentley

MEng Chemical Engineering

Maeve Butler

BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy

Maeve Butler, BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy

Was attracted to Bradford by the excellent facilities available. 

Previously studied a degree in Ancient History.

Has enjoyed coming back into higher education.

 
Maeve Butler, BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy

BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy

Helen Bolton

BSc (Hons) Human Resource Management

Helen Bolton, BSc (Hons) Human Resource Management student.

Chose to study at Bradford as it allowed a good balance between study and family commitments.

The University stood out as the School of Management holds the 'triple-crown' accreditation.

Spent time studying in Bahrain through the 'Entrepreneurs Across Borders' programme.
Helen Bolton, BSc (Hons) Human Resource Management student.

BSc (Hons) Human Resource Management

Amy Birkitt

BSc (Hons) Midwifery

Amy Birkitt, BSc (Hons) Midwifery

Came back to education as an Adult Learner.

Chose Bradford due to the support on offer and the family-friendly feel.

Was surprised at the amount of funding available.
Amy Birkitt, BSc (Hons) Midwifery

BSc (Hons) Midwifery

Amelia Hoggard-Leathers

BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health)

A picture of Amelia Hoggard-Leathers, Mental Health Nursing student at the University of Bradford.

Started her degree aged 25 after working multiple jobs.

Came into the programme from a non-healthcare background.

Applied for as she wanted a more rewarding job where she could help people.
A picture of Amelia Hoggard-Leathers, Mental Health Nursing student at the University of Bradford.

BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health)

Chris and Laura Smith

Chris and Laura Smith chose to study at the University of Bradford as adult learners after working for over 20 years in the catering industry in a cafe.

They enrolled at the University in 2021, with both Chris and Laura choosing to follow their passion and study BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult).

We caught up with Chris and Laura to chat about their experiences of studying at the University of Bradford as adult learners.

Chris' story

Laura's story

Two adult learners stand in nursing uniform facing the camera and smiling