Think carefully about where you will live and how much it will cost

Many mature students attend a local university or college, either on a part-time or full-time basis, for financial reasons or because of family or other commitments. Many part-time students need to continue with their existing employment. Students in each of these cases are likely to be home-based.

However, if you hope to move away in order to study, the availability and cost of accommodation will be an important factor, particularly if you have dependants. Many institutions have halls of residence, with or without catering provided. Some of these are single sex and others offer mixed accommodation. While a number guarantee accommodation for first-year students, it is common for students in later years to rent bed-sits, flats or houses from the private sector with the help of the institution's accommodation office.

An increasing number of universities and colleges make some specific housing provision for mature students and for their spouses and/or children. You should make early contact with the institution's accommodation office, particularly if you need family accommodation. You will find that facilities and costs vary considerably from one institution to another. You will probably have to make some sacrifices and your general standard of living may not match what you have been used to.