Parents and carers guide to university

Study

Our guide has practical guidance about applying to university and how to help support your child.

The months leading up to your child starting university are an exciting time. But we know that it can be a bit overwhelming too.

We hope this guide will help you and your child understand the world of higher education. We'll run through topics from what to expect on results day, right through to the support we can offer when your child is studying with us.

Preparing for university

Knowing what you want to study, especially at a young age, can be hard.

It's normal for young people to not have a full idea of what course they'd like to study - and they might be looking to parents and carers for help and advice.

You can encourage them to talk through their options, to think about how a course could help them to achieve their career ambitions later in life.

Here are some tips to make the process a little easier:

Get to know us

Get a feel for our campus and meet current students and staff at an Open Day. It's the perfect way to get a taste of university life.

Book an Open Day

Support at university

University is a fantastic, life-changing experience for young people. It can also come with new challenges too.

That’s why we’ll be there for your child every step of the way. With second-to-none support services, from the moment they arrive until the day they graduate and beyond. We’ll help them to overcome any problems they might encounter, get back on track, and make the most of their time with us.

We were recently ranked third in a nationwide study from HUMEN, in recognition of the mental health support we provide for our students.

Here are just some of the ways we'll support your child:

Discover our student support

A student talking to a member of staff in the Student Centre

Our teams are on hand to offer support whenever it's needed

We have a wide range of different support options available, suited to help for individual circumstances and needs. Your child will have access to all our support options as a student with us.

Advice articles

Find out how you can support your child on their journey
  • Results day – a parent’s guide

    We’ve got some top tips for parents and carers to help you navigate results day with your child.

  • Is university worth it?

    There are lots of reasons why it's worth going to university. Find out why a degree is still the best investment your child can make for their future.

  • Helping your child choose a course and university

    University is a big step so make sure you're prepared to help your child choose the right course and university for them.

  • How does student finance work?

    Not sure how student finance works? Don’t let the thought of student debt put you off applying to university. Find out why and how university is still affordable using our guide to university fees.

  • How university applications work

    From application to offer find out how university applications work and how you can support your child throughout the process.

Key university dates 

The timeline outlines all the key dates found on the journey for applying to university. We outline deadlines for submitting an application, applying for a student loan, accepting an offer and more.

During this time your child will be thinking about what course(s) they’d like to study and which universities are right for them.

The UCAS website is a good starting point. Encourage them to do their research by checking out university websites and prospectuses.

Don’t miss the opportunity to visit Open Days and attend UCAS Fairs to help them reach a decision.

If your child is thinking about coming to the University of Central Lancashire, you can visit our Undergraduate page to explore the courses we offer.

Have any questions?

If you still have some unanswered questions, our Course Enquiries Team will be happy to help.

You can call them on 01772 892400 or email cenquiries@uclan.ac.uk