Mature-Age Male Students in Higher Education / Palgrave Studies in Gender and Education (PDF)

'The authors, through the inspiring stories of the student participants, succeed in providing valuable insight into the lives and identities of a significant sub-set of student diversity - mature-age men. In the process, this reveals another layer of meaning within the tapestry of students which now populates our universities. They conclude with important recommendations for institutions to improve and enhance the experience of those returning to education, offering them a greater chance to achieve their goals.'
-Dr Cathy Stone, The University of Newcastle, Australia

'This book raises critical questions relating to the university experiences of a largely overlooked cohort of learners. Compelling narratives from older male students foreground the embodied nature of this return to learning, presenting 'hidden' stories relating to the motivations, triumphs and desires of these men. For those readers passionate about developing a more holistic understanding of thecontemporary HE student experience, this publication promises rich insight into a somewhat neglected population.'
-Professor Sarah O'Shea, University of Wollongong, Australia

This book explores the unique set of challenges faced by mature-age male undergraduates as they adapt to university study. The authors examine the motivations of mature male students for enrolling in higher education and their aspirations for life after graduation, in doing so filling a crucial gap in the current literature. Later access to higher education carries numerous benefits, including improved social mobility: it is therefore paramount to understand why men tend to be underrepresented among mature students. Exploring the intersections of socioeconomic status, ethnicity, culture and gender, and paying careful attention to the stories of the students themselves, the authors provide a thought-provoking analysis of an underrepresented student group. The book will be of interest and value to students and scholars of mature-age male students, and aspirations and motivations within higher education more generally.