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Advice for parents, guardians and carers

Advice for parents, guardians and carers

Everything you need to help your child decide on their next steps.

Applying to university

How to fill in a UCAS application

If your child has decided university is the right path for them, here’s what they’ll need to know about making a UCAS application.

Help your child write a great personal statement

Taking a positive approach, and leaving enough time to do a good job, really can make your child’s application stand out from the crowd.

What happens once UCAS gets an application?

Find out what we do with your child's application and the different decisions a uni or college can make.

Clearing guide

Not sure what Clearing is all about? Find out what you need to know and our practical tips for supporting someone through the process.

Clearing guide

Parent, Guardian and Carer Guide

Download our free guide, containing everything you need to support a young person with their options and decision-making, and help them through the UCAS application process.

Parent, Guardian and Carer Guide

Alternatives to uni

Alternatives to uni

Going to uni or doing an apprenticeship isn’t right for everybody. When researching post-16 plans, it’s important to weigh up all options and make the right long-term decision.

Apprenticeship guide

Heard of an apprenticeship but not sure what it’s all about? We share what you need to know and practical tips for supporting someone who might be thinking about an apprenticeship.

Researching their options

Planning their future

It’s important students start considering their post-school plans early – read our advice on where to start.

Researching uni options

If your child decides university is the right path for them, there’s still a lot of research to do, with approximately 35,000 undergraduate courses to choose from.

UCAS terms explained

We use quite a few terms in the application process. We’ve explained them all here, if you need to check what any mean.

Dealing with exams and revision stress

Exam season is an intense time for students, so we’ve got some handy tips to help you support the young people in your life with revision tips and how to manage their stress (and yours).

Revision tips and managing exam stress

Key dates and the application journey

Find out all the key dates and deadlines you need to know, and help your child keep their application on track.

Go to key dates

Student finance and accommodation

How to pay for uni

One of the biggest concerns for students and their parents is the cost of university. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know about fees, finance, and repayment.

Bills, budgeting, preparing for uni

For many students, uni will be the first time they will have budgeted and paid for bills. Start planning now to make sure they know what to do.

Finding university accommodation

Finding somewhere they’ll be happy to live is an important consideration for your child when choosing where to study – reserarch their options and help them find the right place.

Making new friends and dealing with homesickness

There’s lots of opportunities for your child to meet people – here are five tips to get them started.

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