"Age really makes no difference": Gillian Hepplewhite on the joys of university after a career

Can you summarise your route to Cambridge and educational background?

"I have always regretted not being able to go to university when I was young. I was brought up in a working-class family, and university wasn’t really on my family’s radar. This regret became stronger as I watched my son, Max, flourish in his own academic journey when he did his A levels and went off to university."

After fifteen years in my Employment and Skills job, I was under the threat of redundancy due to funding cuts. I decided I wanted to complete a degree to broaden my career options and improve my mental health which had deteriorated after an accident. So I enrolled part-time on a BSc in Sociology at the University of Sunderland in 2022 at the age of 51.

"I did my first year as a part-time student, and to my delight found not only that I absolutely loved it, but that I was getting decent marks and I was happy again."

Once I knew my job redundancy was actually going to happen, I was relieved. I was feeling burnt out in that type of work and was looking for a new challenge, so going full-time as a student at the University of Sunderland was a really easy decision to make. I caught up with the extra modules over the summer of 2023 and started my second year as a full-time undergrad. I took a part-time job in a pub whilst studying, which also served as a rich research site for my dissertation. I graduated in the summer of 2025 with a first and carried straight on to my MPhil in Sociology at the University of Cambridge in October.

Tell us about your experience on the SHARE widening participation programme.

"During the second year of my undergraduate degree, I decided to look for a summer internship. I saw an opportunity advertised on Sunderland’s employment hub inviting applications for the Social Sciences and Humanities Access to Research Experience (SHARE) programme at the University of Cambridge. It was a four-week paid residential internship, offering research experience to underrepresented students."

After attending a webinar about the opportunity, I decided I would apply. Despite being very competitive, to my amazement I was offered a place, which I completed last summer. I gained experience of living as a postgraduate student would in a shared house with nine other interns. I worked on a real research project and attended research methods and personal development workshops. At the end of the programme, I delivered an academic conference-style presentation about the research to a room of Cambridge academics. That was the single scariest thing I had ever done!

"After that I thought I could do anything, so decided to apply to do an MPhil at Cambridge. The application involved writing a personal statement and submitting a research proposal in December: another challenge as I had never written one before."

Never thinking I would be accepted, let alone funded, I also applied to Durham to do an MA in Social Anthropology; in February I was offered a place at both. I was resigned to going to Durham as I couldn’t afford to go to Cambridge without funding; however, I received confirmation in April that I had secured a Cambridge Opportunity Master’s Studentship. This fund is awarded to the most deserving students who would otherwise face a financial barrier.

"If I hadn’t completed the SHARE programme, I wouldn’t have applied to do a master’s anywhere, let alone at Cambridge. I had always assumed that places like Cambridge were for exceptional people, not ordinary people like me, but I’m glad to say I was wrong. Consequently, I was delighted to help when I was invited by SHARE to Cambridge to talk to this year’s interns about the application process. It’s such a worthwhile programme that makes a real difference."

How would you describe your academic experience at Cambridge so far?

My first term at Cambridge has been incredible. I have been extremely impressed by the teaching, facilities, and the sheer number of extra learning opportunities open to students. There are so many talks by visiting academics, open lectures and workshops (on top of your own timetable) on just about any subject you can think of, and they are all free. I’ve even managed to squeeze in an extra course on Public Speaking, utilising virtual reality technology for practice! I’ve met so many interesting people with a huge range of research interests.

I am very grateful for the opportunity to research my topic with the support of my supervisor. My project is an extension of the research I did as an undergrad. I am looking at the role of pubs in preserving social identity in a North-East post-industrial working-class community in light of social and economic decline.

"Traditional pubs are under threat, with numbers declining every year, yet they are often the only community spaces available in some areas. It is important to understand how communities will be impacted should they close, and it’s good to be doing something that will benefit the North-East."

Did you apply to Wolfson directly, and how have you found College life?

I was very lucky to be offered a place at my first-choice college, Wolfson. Exclusively for mature students, I found it to be an inclusive and positive place when I visited whilst on the SHARE programme, so it was an obvious choice for me. The sense of community at Wolfson is incredible; I have made friends of all ages and nationalities and have an extremely busy social life. There are so many open activities happening on site, from craft sessions, comedy nights, open mic nights, concerts and quizzes, to bingo and bops. The College also has many societies and sports clubs.

"I have found that the University’s Mature Student Society has been great for linking with mature students from other colleges. I’ve been on walks, to pub nights, formal swaps and supper club, and I have met some great people who I will definitely keep in touch with once my course is over."

Did you have any reservations about starting study as an older MPhil student?

"Before I started at Cambridge, I was quite nervous. I was worried about not fitting in, not being able to keep up, being too old, as well as my Geordie accent, and I’d suffer bouts of imposter syndrome. I needn’t have worried, though. On talking to others, I found that everyone else feels the same, and I've managed to convince myself that I’ve earned my place! Now, I honestly wouldn’t want to be anywhere else."

I would urge anyone coming to Wolfson as a mature student to embrace every opportunity given to them, whether social or academic, and just enjoy the experience. The first few days are exhausting, but really exciting. I have surprised myself at how I have settled into student life. I am the oldest person living on site, but age really makes no difference. And to anyone thinking of applying, just do it - it’s never too late and you just don’t know where your journey will take you.

Finally, what are you most looking forward to for the remainder of your MPhil programme?

My first term has gone so quickly! For the remainder of my time here, academically, I am looking forward to completing my fieldwork and starting my dissertation. On a personal level, I can’t wait to see Cambridge in the spring, watch the Bumps and go to a May Ball or two. I have loved life at Cambridge so much that I have just completed a PhD application. It would be great to think that I could stay here for another few years.

This article is part of our 2025-6 Postgraduate Student Profile Series.

You can learn about the funding available at Wolfson and how to apply to study for a postgraduate course at Cambridge as a Wolfson College student on our website.

Wolfson is proud to support the SHARE research experience placements programme for prospective students from underrepresented backgrounds. Applications for the 2026 programme will open early in January 2026.