That is the problem..
Many mature students ,sign up for degree courses and after a few months the novelty wears off or they have childminding issues or they discover that the course isnt for them afterall.
I think to take a degree course ,that the mature student should show a commitment by doing a shorter course first to see how interested they really are.
On another issue,but still in regard to mature students,I have done courses where some of the particpants didnt have to pay and due to this they had no commitment and wouldnt turn up a lot of the time.
I know of some people whom are doing courses in UCD ,which they started in Oct 09,they were so up for it and so determined and wouldnt hear of how difficult and time consuming it would be along with travel time and work load including having to have the kids minded,and its only now that the novelty has worn off that they see its not what they wanted after all,and some intend to drop out.
As far as I know the drop out numbers are large in the first year.Which is a pity for those whom did want to do that course but couldnt get a place,and leads me to think how valid is the universitys interview process ...