Applying for university is an important and exciting time in your child’s life, but it can also be emotionally demanding. In this guide, we give you practical tips on how you can support your child with their university application.
Understanding UCAS
Firstly, you will need to become familiar with the UCAS application system. UCAS, or the University and Colleges Admissions Service, is a non-profit, UK-based organisation which connects students to course providers.
To apply for university, your child will need to create an online account with UCAS, enter their details, and set up a password and security questions.
If your child believes it would be beneficial, they can designate you as their representative to speak to UCAS on their behalf. This nomination can be particularly helpful if they need assistance or have questions about the application process.
Bear in mind that applying to university is time-consuming and shouldn’t be left until the last minute.
Choosing a course
It is important that your child chooses a course that fits their interests and abilities, as well as a university where they will enjoy studying. Encourage them to research available courses and talk through their options with them.
Some things to consider include:
- What subjects do they enjoy most or perform best in?
- What subject might help them get their dream job?
- What personal interests would they like to pursue further?
Another way to discover course options is to research the job descriptions that interest them and see the required qualifications for these. Alternatively, a list of course subjects is available on the UCAS website.
The UCAS website also lists universities by course topic.
Once students have found a university where they would like to study, encourage them to perform online research or attend open days to understand the university experience and its culture better.
Meeting entry requirements
Help your child research the specific entry requirements for their desired course through the university’s website. Universities may outline particular grades and subjects students must achieve or require a specific amount of ‘tariff points.’ Tariff points assign a numerical value to grades, and a calculator for determining these points can be found on the UCAS website.
Applicants must also supply supporting documents, including proof of identity, academic transcripts, and household income details when applying for funding. Find out what your child needs for their course and help them gather the relevant documents.
Writing a personal statement
Your child will be expected to write a personal statement as part of their application. This is an opportunity for them to showcase who they are and demonstrate their enthusiasm for the course and the university.
When writing a personal statement, encourage your child to include details of their interests, ambitions, and achievements they are especially proud of. They could include extracurricular activities such as work experience, charitable activities, or musical or sporting achievements.
Chat with your child about what they want to include in their statement and encourage them to make notes to make the writing stage more enjoyable.
Encourage them to write the statement to tell the story of their passion for their subject and their interest in their chosen course. Once they have completed an initial draft, suggest that they read it out loud to ensure it flows nicely, just like a conversation. Encourage them to rework it until it’s the best it can be.
Getting a UCAS reference
As part of their application, your child must provide a UCAS reference written by someone who knows them academically, for example, a tutor or the head of sixth form. They should be able to comment on your child’s recent achievements and suitability for the course, so choosing the right person to write the recommendation is important. The reference should highlight your child’s abilities and achievements, attitude and approach towards learning, and potential to succeed on the course.
Encourage your child to talk with the referee beforehand, explaining why they have chosen the course and why they are the right fit. Suggest that they share the key points from their personal statement with the referee. The reference should be fair, but they can ask to see it before submitting it with their application.
Meeting application deadlines
When applying for courses, it is essential to check the application deadlines. These can change depending on the year, and some courses have earlier deadlines than others – such as Oxford, Cambridge, and most medical or veterinary studies.
Applicants will also have a chance to apply for an additional course if they haven’t received any offers or have been rejected.
Visit the UCAS website for more information on deadlines.
How to support your child when preparing for interviews
Some universities require your child to attend an interview. You can help them perform their best by encouraging them to relax and be themselves during interviews. Suggest that they build up their confidence by putting in extra research into the course and university. They can also treat the interview as an opportunity to expand on the details included in their personal statement. Encourage them to explain why they chose this university and why they are passionate about the course, talking – where possible – about any information they learned in their research.
It can also be a good idea to help your child prepare for potential interview questions. Here are a few common ones:
- What interests them about the course?
- Why did they choose this university for their studies?
- Are they aware of what the course entails?
- What career options are they considering, and how does the course fit in?
It can also be helpful to ask your child questions about their personal statement or any relevant content from their references, as this may come up in the interview, and it will demonstrate their suitability for the role.
Understanding student finance and funding options
Your child may need your help researching the different student financing options available and any available financial aid.
Funding options vary depending on where you live in the UK, so research the options in your area.
Here are some key things to consider when applying for funding:
- Setting up an online student finance account – This is usually a simple step, but you could help your child find any supporting documents they may need.
- Completing an online application – Ask your child if there are any questions they need help with, and offer to review their application before submitting it.
- Supplying details of household income or disability, if relevant – You could support your child by helping them find the appropriate documents.
Students on low incomes or from disadvantaged groups may be eligible for financial aid to cover additional higher education costs — from the cost of living to books and equipment. Read our guide to student financial aid to find out more.
Understanding the offer process
Once your child has submitted their application, it will be sent to the relevant university for consideration. They will typically receive offers from one or more of their five initial choices.
They may be given a conditional offer based upon attaining relevant grades or an unconditional offer, which means the course is theirs if they want it. Talk through the different offers your child receives to make sure they fully understand any conditions.
Compare the details of the various offers and see which ones are most appealing to them. Give them time to consider their options, research, and talk to friends.
They will then have the option of accepting ‘firm’ or ‘insurance’ choices.
- Firm choice: this commits applicants to accepting the offer if they meet the criteria.
- Insurance choice: this is a backup offer that will only be accepted if they don’t meet the criteria for their firm offer.
Navigating the emotional ups and downs of the application process
Applying for university involves organisational and writing skills that some can find challenging. By supporting your child in the application process, you can prevent them from becoming overwhelmed. Instead, encourage them to see this as an opportunity to demonstrate their skills.
The process of applying for university could make your child feel insecure about their academic performance, or they may need help communicating their passion for their chosen subject. It can be helpful to encourage them to research their topic so that they can rise to the challenge.
Your child may also feel they only have one shot to ‘get it right’ and put themselves under too much pressure. Reassure them that there are many options, even if they don’t get their preferred offer.
Talk through anything they feel uncomfortable with and encourage them to start the application process early so they have plenty of time to prepare.