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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the benefits of higher education in mid-life from the perspective of life course agency. Studies concerning the benefits of degree-oriented higher education have been mainly conducted using survey questionnaires and quantitative methods. In order to gain a more comprehensive picture, this qualitative analysis provides an insider perspective. It analyses which benefits are significant to older graduates and in what ways. The inquiry is based on the life history interviews of mid-life professionals who pursued Master’s degrees from well-established Finnish universities in their fifties. A thematic narrative approach is used to analyse the data. The findings indicate that older graduates enjoy obvious benefits from attaining higher education and pursuing a new Master’s degree. However, there is much variation between graduates. The significance of experienced benefits depends on the overall life plan and expectations of the person concerned. The conclusion considers higher education attainment in mid-life in a wider societal context and suggests directions for future research.

Keywords

Adult higher education older student Master’s degree benefits of education life course agency narrative analysis

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Benefits of higher education in mid-life: A life course agency perspective

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