"There are significant advantages to studying as a mature student, which mostly outweigh the possible disadvantages, although even these advantages depend on a number of factors.
"One of the main advantages is that mature students bring their diverse life-experiences to their studies. These experiences can include previous work and raising a family. These provide a good foundation for their studies as well as valuable transferable skills.
"Another advantage is that most mature students are probably on a more stable financial footing than younger students.
"But perhaps the most important is the level of motivation of mature students who, more often than not, enter University because they want to, rather than because they need to. Most of them are already settled in their career/ vocation, so rather than obtaining a degree to enhance their chances of employment or to establish themselves as professionals, they study for personal enrichment. Mature students are mostly people who realise that education is a life-long learning process, not simply a one-off learning experience.
"When I was younger, women didn't have the opportunities they have today, so basically I had to decide whether I wanted to marry and start a family or embark upon a career. I chose the first. Years later, when my daughters were in their late teens/early 20s, I felt confident that I could return to my studies without significantly disrupting my duties as a mother. I have been studying for six years now - it has enriched my life no end and although at times it's stressful and there are sacrifices to be made, such as attending lectures after a long day's work, it's worth it."
Jeremy Dalli, BA European Studies (Hons) with Communications.
"Starting to study at the age of 24 is undoubtedly an advantage for various reasons. A mature student applying for a course at University is much more focused about what he or she really wants to do in life than if the same person would have applied at the age of 18.
"Although the disadvantages encountered so far are few, one predominant one is definitely having to juggle studying while keeping my full-time job. Over the past month I have learnt the true meaning of time management.
"Notwithstanding this, I have decided to start a new course now to enhance and broaden my knowledge on two subjects I have always been interested in and that will ultimately have an immediate effect on my current job.
"Although I could have chosen to change career, I have always opted to keep what I have and build on it. Student life is a journey in itself."
Francesco Catania, 3rd year, LL.B.
"Knowledge is something you invest in: it is yours to keep, use and enrich yourself with, and anybody can ever take it away from you.
"The advantages of becoming a mature student are that you feel young at heart and meet new people with new ideas and life experiences. The disadvantages are that you have less time to spend with your loved ones and more pressure during exams.
"But all in all it is a positive experience because learning is always good even if you may not manage to get a degree."
(Interviews by Nadya Papagiorcopolo)