UNIVERSITY A GUIDE FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS 2 | University - A guide for parents and guardians Contents 4 Is university right for them? 10 Choosing the best university for your child 18 Fees and finance 26 Applying to university 28 How to apply What you 32 The offers process need to know 35 Results day 35 Clearing to prepare you and 38 Is Ulster University the right choice for your child? your child for 40 Careers university 42 Teaching and facilities 46 International opportunities 50 Student support 52 Student experience 54 Accommodation 58 Get in touch 4 | University - A guide for parents and guardians Is university right for them? Sitting down with your child to discuss their post-school plans can be challenging, especially if they aren’t sure what they want to do next. You can help them by being a positive sounding board and asking questions that’ll help them come to a decision that is right for them. We have designed this guide, so you have the information you need to chat through the options with your child. 6 | University - A guide for parents and guardians experience that relates to the world study independently without close If the following is important Is it the next best of work e.g. sponsorship officer or supervision is essential. to your child then university treasurer for the charity society or a could be a good fit: step for your child? journalist for the student radio station. Although this is a general expectation of A good place to start is to They can also learn and explore students, course programs will include • Studying a subject that really consider their career plans, within their degree subject by a mix of self-study and collaborative interests them motivation level and how they choosing specific modules or projects working. Personal tutors and support staff • Being able to choose the like to learn. If they answer to discover their interests or develop will also be on hand to help and guide modules and projects that yes to any of the below then specific skills and competencies. students. When researching universities most appeal to them university would be a good and courses, spend time reviewing the • The option to move away option to research further. Do they have their heart set on styles of teaching and assessments to from home and live a specific career? choose the structure that is best for your independently child as well as those which have a It is important to keep in mind that • Meeting new people, making reputation for strong pastoral care. Does your child want to explore for some careers it is essential to go new friends and having new different careers or passions? to university. Your school’s careers experiences At university there are endless teacher will be able to advise you • Getting involved in activities If they go to university, several opportunities for them to broaden and your child about these careers, such as sport, theatre or career options will be open to them horizons, and get work experience their degree requirements and if your politics regardless of what subject they study. and awards outside of their academic child needs to study any required • Having time to explore studies but they must be motivated to subjects required to study the degree. interests, values and career If your child is unsure of their career make the most of these. direction or wants to explore many options before any big Is your child a self-motivated decisions about jobs must be different potential paths through Do they want the freedom to work experience, placements and learner and comfortable with made choose what to study? extracurricular activities a university independent study? degree may be best for them. They At university students usually get Motivation is very important in the freedom to choose the course, can take advantage of clubs, societies achieving success, and for most and positions of responsibility to get modules and projects that best match university courses being able to their interests and aspirations. 8 | University - A guide for parents and guardians Alternative training Getting them career options to university ready There are a range of options A university degree improves career available for your child to further their prospects and earning potential. training. These include employer On average, people with higher and apprentice programs where education qualifications earn more your child could earn money whilst over their working lives than non- acquiring job skills. Options include: graduates. • degree apprenticeships Going to university can give • Higher Level Apprenticeships your child a head start as they (HLA) develop transferable skills valued • school leaver programmes by employers, such as the ability to work with others, critical and You can find out more information analytical thinking, research skills, about these programs including how problem-solving and communication to apply at skills. These skills, together with an ucas.com academic qualification, will give them theuniguide.com an advantage in the ever-competitive world of employment. 10 | University - A guide for parents and guardians Choosing the best university for your child If university is likely to be Make sure these criteria reflect the the next step for your child, specific needs of your child and family. For example, if your child is this is when the research a practical learner, you might want phase begins in earnest and to consider those courses that are can be the most daunting. highly applied and include hands on assessments and work experience. The end goal of the research phase is to agree the five courses that students will add to their UCAS form. Before Top Tip: Make a checklist deciding on “The Final Five”, they will of your negotiables and non- need to shortlist their potential places. negotiables when choosing where to go. This shortlisting phase may include reviewing the prospectus together, visiting the universities at Open Days or attending Applicant Events. We recommend that together with your child you agree the criteria you will use to shortlist the courses and universities and identify those criteria which will ultimately decide “The Final Five”. 12 | University - A guide for parents and guardians Choosing their subject Things to consider when choosing a degree: • Are they interested in exploring • Do they have a current subject a completely new subject? There that they love and do well in? are many degree subjects they Will they still be interested in it, in years to come and the potential won’t have encountered before. careers associated with it? Whilst When choosing they should some subjects lead to very specific relate it back to what they enjoy career options, others can provide and how they learn best. Some varied options or the opportunity courses have very high contact to specialise at postgraduate level. time i.e. lots of lectures, tutorials, workshops etc whilst others have • Do they have specific vocational low contact time and more self- aspirations? If so, is a particular directed study. degree subject required or are the options flexible? Universities • Look beyond the course title and colleges set their own entry – remember courses with the requirements for higher education same name can differ greatly courses so they may vary widely. in content between universities. You can find the entry requirements Spend time looking at the course for Ulster undergraduate degrees content and the modules. This on the course finder online will give you an idea about the ulster.ac.uk/courses areas covered by the course and what the university’s specific area of expertise is. 14 | University - A guide for parents and guardians are required e.g. GCSE/A Level/ Choosing their What to research BTEC will be listed in course entry requirements. Not all universities university Cost: There’s more than meets the and colleges use qualifications and What does a good university eye than just university tuition fees. You grades for entry requirements, some mean to you and your child? should also consider accommodation use UCAS Tariff points instead. UCAS Here are some things to think costs and cost of living including any has an online calculator to help you about when researching travel required, which vary across the work out how many points your where to go. UK. Visit numbeo.com/cost-of- qualifications are worth ucas.com/ living to compare cost of living. ucas/tariff-calculator Note most information can be found in university prospectuses Course provision: Which Duration: How many years will or on their online course pages universities offer the subject area or it take them to get their degree? but we have included other specific course they are interested in? Does this include a year in work sources below where relevant. Do they carry accreditation needed placement? for jobs in industry? Employment/career prospects: Teaching, assessment and Are there opportunities to enhance facilities: Does the course involve their CV by undertaking a paid work a lot of practical work? Is it 100% placement or studying abroad? Does coursework? Is there a lot of group the university have good connections work involved? Are there bespoke with industry? Do students get real facilities? Is there online or interactive world experience on their course? learning provision? Are there opportunities to include a year out in industry as part of their Entry requirements: What grades degree? are needed for the course? These can vary across institutions. Specific Research: Does the university have a subjects and at what level they 16 | University - A guide for parents and guardians good research focus? Are they linking is available? Do they have any with industry to solve problems, or disabilities or long-term medical How to research leading innovation in certain areas? conditions or specific learning This often positively impacts on the difficulties they need support with? Get online teaching and what they deliver.