University life

You will have access to communities and societies dedicated to mature students, as well as a range of health and wellbeing support.

Community and social life for mature students

When you join the University, you automatically become a member of Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA), an organisation which exists to represent and support you during your time as a student.

Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA) website

EUSA supports over 200 student-led societies, which include communities and societies for mature students.

Mature Students’ Community and representative

The Mature Students’ Community is managed by the Mature Students’ Representative, who is elected by students each year. 

The community aims to ensure the voices of mature students are heard within the wider University community. It is free to join. 

It also organises events and activities to help mature students build a community where they can come together and discuss their experiences. 

About the Mature Students’ Community

What to say about university life… So much opportunity, but doors don’t open themselves. As mature students, we have extra strengths that others don’t, and here I feel my worth as much as I feel my weaknesses. We have a mature student society, that has brought mature students together into a supportive, fun, and welcoming community. When I first started, sometimes I could feel lost in a sea of teenagers. Now, we have our cornerstone in the wider community. Students of all ages, education levels, degree programmes and backgrounds come together to build meaningful friendships.

Zoe Undergraduate student

Student Parents' online community and representative

EUSA also hosts an online community for student parents, which is led by their elected Student Parents’ Representative.

The community provides a space where student parents and guardians (or students who are currently pregnant) can come together and discuss their experiences and issues that are important to them. 

About the Student Parents’ Community

Student drop-ins

We offer drop-in sessions for students who:

  • previously attended the Scottish Widening Access Programme (SWAP)
  • are parents
  • have refugee, humanitarian protection or asylum seeker status

These sessions run every month, and we will email you to let you know when they are happening.

Dedicated drop-in sessions are one tangible, pro-active way the University demonstrates its support for student parents. They allow the community of student parents from across the University to connect and share the challenges unique to our situation. Sometimes it’s enough just to chat to others, other times problems are identified which can then be passed back to the administration for resolution. Being a student parent sometimes can be lonely – this regular check-in with friendly faces and a supportive community is really valuable.

Clare Graduate

Health and wellbeing support

If you experience any difficulties in adjusting or have any health or wellbeing concerns during your time with us, you will find plenty of advice and support services to help you find a solution.

Health and wellbeing support

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