14 December 2022 Student body maturing as online options prove popular

She is part of a 35 to 45-year-old age group in the domestic student cohort that has grown by 300 per cent since 2019, rising from 4.1 per cent to 11.5 per cent of the domestic total overall.

Combined with the growth in 25 to 35-year-old students, which has increased by more than 200 per cent, one-third of Lincoln domestic students have reached a quarter of a century, well up from under 19 per cent just three years ago.

Programmes offering online options and fee waivers have proved popular among those age groups.

Returning to Lincoln after completing a Bachelor in Property Valuation & Management 20 years ago, Elizabeth was drawn to the Master of Applied Computing degree to boost her career and "potentially pivot as the property valuation industry changes into the property tech sector".

She said the fee waiver on the course was a big factor in her decision.

Domestic Engagement Manager Jaime Shone attributed the increase in interest from different age groups to people looking for new career paths or opportunities during COVID-19 and the new possibility of being able to study online programmes developed to meet that demand.

It meant people could work and take care of their families while also studying, she said.

Elizabeth chose to study at Lincoln "as I knew from my past experience, how supportive a small university like Lincoln can be".

"The course has practical real-world input and experience, and it can be completed 99 per cent online in your own time. It has been very flexible and fits into my lifestyle, as I have juggled studying with part-time working and children, including a new baby.

"I have really loved every part of the courses so far; the lecturers are all very approachable, kind and excellent in their roles and the course material has been engaging and stimulating.

"As I have no IT background, parts of the course were a steep learning curve at the beginning, but with perseverance and great support from the uni, I have achieved and learnt far more than I ever expected.”

Image: Elizabeth with her children.