Abstract: Adults are a fast—growing group of students in the Russian higher education system. Socio-demographic status, morphological and personal characteristics, as well as the specifics of adult education create significant obstacles for many of them to successfully study in higher education. In the short term, universities will have to rethink their educational programs, evaluate resources and reorganize the educational process so as to help adult students overcome these obstacles and meet their educational needs. The successful participation of adults in additional and continuing education, the elimination of barriers to learning are the key tasks of a modern university. This study was conducted using a critical analysis of the literature on adult learning to answer three questions: 1) what factors and barriers affecting adult learning are highlighted by modern authors? 2) what motives are inherent in adult students? 3) how to overcome obstacles in adult learning? Based on the results of the study, a classification of barriers in adult learning has been developed. The main motives for obtaining higher education by adult students are highlighted. The conclusion is made about the need for flexible curricula and auxiliary resources that students can adapt to the requirements of their work and life. Based on the theory of self-determination, recommendations have been developed to increase the involvement of adult students in the educational process.