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.