A few years into teaching at third level, I noticed a pattern: older students, on average, were more engaged, more interested and, on average, ended up with better grades.
One of my students was in her late 60s. She’d spent decades working in UCD and seen generations of students file in and out of the university. Now retired, she decided to embark on an academic programme, albeit with some trepidation.
When she first showed up in my class, she was nervous. How could she keep up with young students who had just finished their Leaving Cert?
She didn’t keep up – she quickly leapfrogged them, becoming one of my most successful students.
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The pattern repeated: over the years, older students entered my lectures or tutorials a little nervous, only to thrive, become active participants in class discussions – for group assignments, a mature student was a prize – and, generally, emerge with at least a 2.1 degree.
Because of my experience, I became an advocate for mature students, and today I am among the loudest cheerleaders if anyone I know considers going back to education after a long gap.
Whether it’s a full degree, a traineeship, apprenticeship, Post-Leaving Cert course or, indeed, any form of continuous professional development, it’s never too late to take on the course you’ve always wanted to do.
“Older adults in Ireland are more likely to engage in lifelong learning, compared to the European average,” says Ciara Ní Fhloinn, flexible learning manager with Solas, the further education and training agency.
“This is happening at the same time as 30 per cent of all employed people here are in the 50–74-year age bracket, and this is expected to grow.”
Apprenticeships, which combine on-the-job and in-class learning, provide a chance for students to earn as they learn. As they are based around an employer, however, it can be slightly trickier, but not impossible, for someone aged 65 or over to find the work they would need.
Traineeships are shorter and more focused courses.
“If, for instance, you’ve always wanted to be a baker, there is a bakery traineeship available,” says Ní Fhloinn.
“People interested in a return to education can take the first step for free by contacting your local Education and Training Board (ETB).”
There is a full list of all 16 ETBs is available on etbi.ie.
“They can talk you through your options and help you decide whether or not a particular option is worth your time. ETBs all have an adult education information guidance service which, although it prioritises people not in employment, is not exclusive to them, and is free of charge.”
Many older adults want to learn for the sake of learning, while some are focused on a career.
But is there work?
There has been a flurry of legislative changes around pensions and retirement in recent years. Since June 2026, employees with a contractual retirement age below 66 can now formally request to keep working until State pension age. Employers must justify any refusal on objective, legitimate business grounds, or face fines up to €5,000. It’s optional, and nobody is forced to continue working.
Camille Loftus, advocacy officer for Age Action, says that many people want – or have to – stay working and learning beyond 66.
“They enjoy their work and feel they still have a contribution to make, or they want to stay longer so they can make more social insurance contributions for their pension,” Loftus says.
Companies don’t always want to extend full-time employment much beyond 66, which, historically, has been seen as making way for younger workers.
“But in an era of full employment and a tight labour market, employers should be encouraged to be more open and flexible,” Loftus says.
“Older workers have a contribution to make, as well as a wealth of institutional memory.”
Still, change is happening, with Loftus pointing to statistics showing that over 135,000 people aged 65 or over in Ireland are in employment, a figure that has more than doubled over the past 10 years.
“Some older people may be full of vim and vigour, while others have self-directed ageism, and they associate ageing with being doddery, regressive, stuck in the mud – all the stereotypes that they have consciously and unconsciously absorbed,” Loftus says.
“Recruitment has changed in the past 20-30 years, with applications online, psychometric testing and changes to the interview process, and this can be intimidating. We run digital training for older people, with one-on-one tutors in locations across Ireland, providing a grounding in the use of technology.
“We also support U3A (university of the third age), where self-organised local groups of older people who want to remain active, engaged and learning, can connect with each other.”
It’s this confluence of changes to the pension system, longer lifespans and a desire to stay engaged that are driving changes to how older people earn and learn. The barrier they may face is not their age, but the systems and the mindsets that govern our education and careers.
Some other options to consider:
- A mature student is anyone over the age of 23 who can apply to third level without being judged on their Leaving Cert. Instead, they are assessed holistically, through interview, life experience and prior learning;
- Springboard+ is a Government scheme providing funding to learners who take on certain courses linked to employment needs. They’re free for unemployed participants and workforce returners, while those in employment pay just 10 per cent of the fee. There is no upper age limit. SpringboardCourses.ie;
- Microcredentials: short, focused learning for people who don’t necessarily want a full degree, but which can be stacked over time to create a degree. See Microcreds.ie;
- Not everyone wants or needs a formal qualification. In addition to YouTube tutorials, large online open courses which are low-cost or free can be found at Alison.com, while GoHighbrow.com delivers a five-minute lesson to your inbox each morning, with more than 300 topics to choose from.
