ABSTRACT
The Covid-19 pandemic had a deep-seated impact on university students across the world. In a short period of time from 2020 to 2022, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) had to pivot their modes of delivery to ensure they could meet the needs of their students. The move to digital platforms has been challenging for students of all ages, but particularly for mature students. This chapter has sought to explore mature students’ experiences of university during the Covid-19 pandemic through the lens of the Community of Inquiry model. Utilising a qualitative approach, 20 semi-structured interviews were conducted with students from a single large UK based university. The interviews were conducted by a staff member and a mature student during the pandemic; the findings indicate that while some participants adapted well to the emergency shift to online learning, others encountered challenges, such as caregiving responsibilities, which impacted their ability to fully engage with their studies. Peer relationships and collaborative learning emerged as essential elements supporting their success and resilience during this period. Furthermore, the research highlighted the importance of institutional responses, such as support mechanisms and the ability to respond to students’ varying needs, as key factors in students’ ability to navigate the disruptions brought about by the pandemic.
