Readers' reactions

Last week in The THES... Linda McGowan argued that government policy is deterring mature students from applying to university

April Marshall, University of Plymouth

Not only did I fail to qualify for a grant or loan when commencing a degree in engineering in 1998, but as a single-person household I was also deprived of my income support. (I thought the country needed engineers, and particularly female role models...)

Shelagh Donlevy Advertising manager South Bank University (Personal view)

What employment are students aged 50 plus expected to return to? In the shiny 1990s, you are all but obsolete at 35 - unless you plan to use your new qualifications to land a job as a supermarket shelf-stacker in one of the "enlightened" companies that profess to value the experience of the "mature" employee.