It’s Never Too Late to Start Higher Education in Ireland

In this article, Karen Higgins, Director of Quality for Academic Affairs at City College Dublin, shares her personal journey into higher education as a mature student in Ireland, and why taking that first step can change everything.

When people talk about higher education, the story often sounds the same. You leave school, go to university, maybe continue to postgraduate study, and build your career from there. But that wasn’t my story.

I took a different path, one that didn’t begin in lecture theatres or libraries, but at home, raising a family, and for a long time, higher education felt like something that belonged to other people.

Starting Your Journey as a Mature Student in Ireland

Like many, my early adult life followed a different priority. I got married, had a family, and spent time at home raising my children. Education wasn’t off the table, but it wasn’t the immediate focus either. What changed things wasn’t a grand plan; It was a small step.

I completed a Montessori pre-school training programme, initially thinking it might be a stepping stone into becoming a primary school teacher. At the time, it felt like a practical and realistic next step. But something unexpected happened, the learning itself became more important than the destination. That step mattered more than I realised at the time.

Going Back to Education with a Family

That initial experience gave me something important: confidence. It made me realise that I was capable of learning again, of studying, of progressing. From there, the idea of university no longer felt out of reach, just unfamiliar. So I took the leap. I went on to complete an honours degree in Psychology, followed by a Master’s in Education.

But this part of the journey wasn’t easy.

When I started, my youngest child was just nine months old. Finding time to study alongside raising a young family was a constant challenge. There were moments of exhaustion, doubt, and questioning whether I had taken on too much. I remember getting up extra early, hoping my youngest would stay asleep just long enough for me to get some study done, I was never a late-night studier 😊.

What made the difference was support.

My husband became my biggest supporter and ally. At times when I doubted myself, he didn’t. He made sure I kept going, even when it felt difficult. Looking back, that support, and the decision to keep going. made all the difference.

Learning Isn’t Linear

One of the biggest misconceptions about education is that it has to follow a straight line. In reality, learning is often anything but. It can pause, restart, change direction, and evolve over time. My journey into higher education came later than many, but that didn’t make it any less valid.

If anything, it brought a different perspective:

• a deeper appreciation for the opportunity to learn
• a stronger sense of purpose
• and a real understanding of balancing study with life

From Mature Student to Leader

Over time, that journey didn’t just lead me into higher education, it led me to build a career within it. I now work in a senior role focused on quality in higher education, contributing to how learning is shaped, supported, and experienced by others. And I’m still learning.

The next step? A doctorate. Not because I have to, but because I want to. Because learning has become part of who I am.

Why This Matters

There are so many people who believe that higher education isn’t for them.

• That they’re too late.
• That they’ve taken the “wrong” path.
• That they’ve missed their opportunity.

I used to think that too.

But the reality is:

There is no single path into education. There is no “right” time to start. And there is no point at which learning stops being possible. If you’re considering taking that first step, whether it’s a short course, a training programme, or applying to university, here’s what I would say:

• Start small – you don’t need the full plan
• Don’t wait until you feel “ready” – you may never feel it
• Trust that each step will lead somewhere, even if you can’t see where yet!

Most importantly:

• Don’t count yourself out!!

Final Reflection

Looking back, I didn’t begin with a clear destination. I began with a single step. That step led to another, and then another, eventually opening doors I never imagined for myself. Higher education didn’t come early in my life. But it came at the right time.

And it’s never too late for it to come into yours.