Mature Students' Community
About the Mature Students' Community
The community is a space to make new friends, talk about what matters to you or reach out for support. It's been designed by, and for, Sussex students, whether you're in your early twenties, or much later in life. All sessions are drop-ins - come for 5 minutes to grab a coffee and say hi, or stay for the whole 2 hours, it's up to you! (but please, still book a place, to help us order the right amount of refreshments).
We particularly want to offer a space to mature students navigating university for the first time, so some activities may be slightly more relevant to undergraduates than postgraduates, but we are open to all.
Follow our team on Instagram @SussexUniSEE!
Upcoming dates:
We currently run every fortnight: Coffee, tea and snacks are always provided, and you're welcome to bring your lunch. Bookmark this page and save the dates!
Final meet-up of the year - Wednesday 21st May, 11am-2pm - End of term social, games and picnic @ The Meeting House.
Join us for tasty food, games and (hopefully!) sunshine at our end-of-term picnic. Come and relax, chat, and enjoy a delicious cream tea with scones, sandwiches and cake, including vegan options. If the weather is nice we will sit outside on the grass (picnic blankets and a few seats will be available), if not we'll be in the big room with lots of windows on the ground floor!
Previous sessions have included planning for assignments, creative workshops, student voice activities, wellbeing / relaxation, festive fun, games, careers/employability chat and more. We typically see between 10 and 40 people at each session.
Please book for the dates you're interested in. It's important to help us plan activities and refreshments, avoid waste and ensure the sessions can remain financially sustainable - and means you'll receive reminders and information about any unexpected changes.
Previous sessions have included planning for assignments, creative workshops, student voice activities, wellbeing / relaxation, festive fun, games, careers/employability chat and more. We typically see between 10 and 40 people at each session.
Further information can be found below, but if you have any questions, please do email SEE@Sussex.ac.uk
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Frequently asked questions
Who can attend?
The community is open to all mature students at Sussex, though some activities may be slightly more tailored to undergraduate students. You might be a couple of years older than others, or returning to learning much later in life - by mature student, we mean anyone aged 21+ at the beginning of their undergraduate degree, or 25+ at the beginning of postgraduate studies. We understand that this includes a wide range of experiences - the community programme is being co-created with mature students of varied ages to reflect this.
How can I keep up to date with when the events are?
Currently, we send out regular emails to those who have signed up for sessions in the past, and advertise everything on StudentHub events. In September 2025 we will be setting up a new hub on Canvas so you can find all our information in one place. All of our dates for the year are on this one TicketTailor page, so you can bookmark it and come back to it. You can also follow @SussexUniSEE on Instagram.
Who organises it?
The sessions are hosted by staff from Student Experience, and Student Connectors - current mature students like you! We've co-created the Mature Students Community as a student/staff team, based on feedback from students like you about what you'd like to see at Sussex. We're also regularly supported by other teams, such as Careers, Student Advice, and Wellbeing. If you have queries, please email SEE@sussex.ac.uk.
Where does it take place? Is it accessible?
Most sessions will be in Woodland 3, at the back of the building on the ground floor of the Student Centre. Some sessions, including 7 and 21 May 2025, will be in the Meeting House, the round building with colourful windows, next to Library Square. For Student Centre information and photos click here: https://www.accessable.co.uk/university-of-sussex/access-guides/student-centre-building
Is it on the same day and time every fortnight?
We intentionally vary the days to allow as many people to participate as possible. Most sessions take place over lunchtime but please book and check the reminder emails you'll receive just in case there's any changes.
I'm really nervous / I don't know anyone!
We totally understand, and will do our best to help you settle in. Most people won't know anyone, and will come to make new friends. Look out for staff or Student Connectors wearing lanyards - we're there to chat, and we'll help you join in!
Will I have to do anything specific?
No - Each session will be a relaxed drop in, hosted by current students. We typically plan some kind of short, informal activity or discussion topic for each week (everything from games and crafts, to career and academic skills). We assume that you may just be popping in for a short while between lectures, so while we may have short activities, everything's optional.
Do I have to book?
It's really helpful if you can, to help us plan activities and order refreshments without too much waste, so we can continue long into the future. It also means we can contact you with a reminder and if there's any last minute changes.
Do I have to sign in?
Yes please! Whether you come for 5 minutes or 2 hours, please sign in - it helps us evidence the need for the activity and keep it running.