Supporters guide to University applications: September – December

Whether its your first time supporting someone going to university, or you've been through it before, this guide will help you stay informed every step of the way.

While this is a really exciting time, there's also a lot going on which can be stressful for students and supporters, but we're here to help and guide you through the process.

The application process runs throughout the year, so we've broken it down into more manageable sections so you know exactly what to expect and when.

September

How can supporters help?

At this point, you can help your student to choose the right university for them. They may have already started researching and have some ideas, but it's a good idea to compare the universities and weigh up which is a good fit for your student.

The following websites are a great place to compare what's on offer:

• Whatuni
• The Complete University Guide
• Unifrog
• Uni Compare
• The Uni Guide

Students can apply to 5 universities, and should look carefully at entry requirements. As supporters it is important to encourage your students to aim high and stretch themselves, however they should remain realistic on what grades are achievable and base their choices on this.

Aside from subject and entry requirements, your student should also consider:

1. What type of degree they want to study - is a foundation, vocational or STEM-based degree best for them? Do they have a specific career in mind?
2. How the modules are assessed - do they prefer exams, coursework, presentations, or a combination of all three?
3. Does the course carry accreditation with a professional body?
4. How the course is structured - are there any optional or compulsory modules?
5. Do they want to stay at home or move away? Would they prefer to commute or live in halls of residence or private accommodation?

Helping your student to answer these questions will help them to create a shortlist of 5 universities to apply to on UCAS.

October

How can supporters help?

Encourage your student to attend as many open days as possible. Edge Hill provide financial support for travel expenses to our open days, to help people reach us when cost is a barrier.

Open days are the best way for your student to see and feel what its like to be a student, and they can chat to academic staff about the course itself. Current students are on hand at Edge Hill too, to give real insights into student life.

While it does take effort to get your students to and from open events, this is a really important part of the application process and is well worth investing time in. Edge Hill even provide lunch and refreshments throughout the day, on us.

November - December

So far, they've done the research, made a shortlist and checked their eligibility. Now it is time to apply (you can do this from September if your student decides sooner though).

First, they'll need to register via UCAS Hub. If your student is applying through their school or college, they'll be given a 'buzzword' to link their application to their school. If they're applying independently, they'll have a few extra questions to answer.

There are six main sections to the application, which we'll run you through step by step:

The application can be edited at any time before submission, so they can save their progress as they go until they're happy it's complete. It's best to look at your student's application before they hit 'submit' as UCAS and universities are unable to discuss the application with parents and supporters unless they have nominated access.

How can supporters help?

When students are filling out their applications, supporters can help them by proofreading their application and ensuring that all details are accurate. Students should get support from their schools with the application, but if they are applying independently they may need a little extra help.

Parents can also help students with their personal statement, which is often seen as quite daunting. Whether your student has work experience or not, encourage them to think about their transferrable skills (like communication, teamwork etc). Often students struggle to see this in themselves, but as someone close to them you may be able to see these valuable assets.

We've spoken to our own admissions team at Edge Hill and some current students who have shared exactly what universities look for in a personal statement, so this can help you as a supporter to guide your student.

At our open days, there's dedicated sessions to help students work on their personal statements. These sessions run regularly throughout the day, and we recommend joining these to get more bespoke advice.

What's next?

Once the application is completed on UCAS and references are added, you have until 29 January 2025 to submit, then the rest of the application process begins (click here for the next guide).

If you, or your student, has questions at any point in the process we're here to help. Contact our friendly team or log on to live chat to get your questions answered.

September 23, 2024

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