ERIC Number: EJ1477047
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0737-7363
EISSN: EISSN-1948-4801
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Aligning Support with the Needs of Mature Students in Russell Group Universities: A Systematic Literature Review
Huiying Lyu; An Nguyen; Canh Thien Dang
Journal of Continuing Higher Education, v73 n2 p194-207 2025
Mature adults comprise more than half of the UK higher education student population, indicating significant growth in participation opportunities. However, this expansion has not necessarily resulted in equal educational quality and outcomes for adult learners. This study addresses the research gap regarding the availability and quality of support systems for mature students within Russell Group Universities (RGUs), a select group of 24 research-intensive institutions in the UK. We conducted a systematic review of 24 university websites and relevant literature from 2000 to 2023. Findings revealed that RGUs primarily offer support to mature students in finance, social integration, caring responsibilities, and academic skills. A mismatch is found between the support provided and the needs of mature students in terms of financial support eligibility criteria. The research contributes by providing recommendations for universities and policymakers to develop more inclusive strategies to support mature students in the UK and similar worldwide contexts.
Descriptors: Nontraditional Students, Adult Students, Student Needs, College Students, Research Universities, Foreign Countries, Student Financial Aid, Social Integration, Academic Support Services, Barriers, Student Personnel Services, Student Responsibility, Child Care, Part Time Students, Study Habits, Skill Development
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Information Analyses
Education Level: Adult Education; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A