Survey reveals parents’ confusion over university applications

An independent survey conducted on behalf of Royal Holloway, University of London, has found that while the majority of parents (93%) want to be involved in helping their son or daughter select a university[i], less than half (48%) understand how to apply for a place[ii].

The survey of parents of 14 to 17 year olds across the UK also reveals confusion among parents around how many courses their children can apply for; only 17% realise that aspiring students can apply to up to five courses. These can be multiple choices at one institution, or different courses at five different institutions. They also do not realise that the order of the institutions and courses that are applied for is irrelevant as universities don’t see this full list. The majority, (72%) of parents, are also unaware that their child can receive up to five offers from universities.

Many universities provide information specifically for parents on their websites about the application process and what to expect at each stage.

Professor Paul Layzell, Principal of Royal Holloway, University of London, explains:

“Going to university is a big decision, and one that must be made by the young person themselves. However, we recognise the important role parents and guardians can play in supporting a young person to choose the course and university that’s right for them.

“When we talk to parents, they tell us how overwhelming the process of applying to university can be; parents who went to university themselves tell us how confused they are because the application process has changed from their own experience, parents who didn’t go to university are concerned because they don’t have personal experience to use as the basis for advice.”

Paul continues: “We believe that universities, like Royal Holloway, have a role to play in supporting parents and guardians as well as prospective students. By providing accurate and up to date information specifically for parents and guardians about how the application process works, instead of worrying about what they don’t know, families can use knowledge and facts to support a young person to make a decision that is right for them.

“My advice to parents and guardians is to look for information which has been designed for them on the websites of the universities their young person is interested in. If they’re joining a young person at an open day, take the opportunity to ask questions about the things you are concerned about. If you can’t attend in person, email the university’s admissions team who should be able to help.”

Royal Holloway has a parents’ and supporters hub on its website with key information about the application process and the university experience as well as some handy print-off guides. The university holds a number of events specifically for parents and supporters of young people who intend to go to university, these include drop-in sessions and information evenings.

Royal Holloway’s summer open days for undergraduates take place on 14 and 15 June 2019 at its Egham campus.

Advice and tips for parents who want to support their child in applying to university

Rupy Sangha, Head of Admissions and Applicant Services at Royal Holloway offers her top tips and advice for parents who want to support their child in applying to university:

• Help your child to focus on what they want to study and where. There are 165 institutions and more than 30,000 courses to choose from in the UK which means there is a course to suit almost anyone, but making a choice can be overwhelming.

It may seem obvious, but the best way to support your child in the first stages of decision-making is to narrow down the options by focussing on what they are interested in. What are they passionate about? Do they have a certain career in mind? It’s sometimes useful to start having these conversations when your child starts their GCSEs, as it will help them to focus on subjects they may need in order to take A-Levels and then a degree.

• Kick start your own research into universities. If university is the right choice for your son or daughter, then you can help them to start thinking about which ones might be right for them. You should think about the location of the university, whether a campus life or the city experience would be best and what courses are on offer. Most degrees take a minimum of three years, so universities need to be chosen on a number of factors, not just the courses on offer. Look out for things like academic contact time, support services, wellbeing and career support, as well as what clubs and societies and campus facilities are available. Royal Holloway has a handy downloadable guide to help with choosing the right course and university.
• Plan ahead for university open days. Open days are a fantastic way to get a feel for a place, the staff and what’s on offer.  It will give you and your child the opportunity to ask plenty of questions. The best thing to do is to attend as wide a range of talks as possible during your day, and take the time to speak to academics and current students. Encourage your son or daughter to ask questions too!
• Make a note of key dates for university applications and remember that your child can apply for up to five courses. These can be multiple choices at one institution, or different courses at five different institutions. All university applications needs to be made via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, commonly known as UCAS. The closing date for UCAS applications for most courses is 15 January so you can support your child by encouraging them to complete all the steps at the right time without a last minute panic. Remember they also need to build in time to write and check through their personal statement which is a part of their UCAS application.
• Don’t get flummoxed by the jargon behind the offers your child receives from universities. Universities offer places on their courses before your child knows their A-Level results. Your child can get up to five offers and they get to decide which one to take as their ‘firm choice’, i.e. the university they really want to go to and which one to take as their ‘insurance choice’ if they don’t achieve the required grades for their firm choice. There are three types of offers your child could receive:
• A conditional offer: this is based your child getting the right grades to meet the course’s specific entry requirements.
• An unconditional offer: This means they have already achieved the necessary grades to meet the entry requirements.
• Or thirdly, unsuccessful: Not an easy offer for your child to receive as it means that they have not met or are not expected to meet the entry requirements.
• Don’t panic on A-Level results day. Your child is going to need you to be strong and calm. If your child missed their grades and a place at university hasn’t been confirmed, they will automatically be entered into Clearing. This is where universities advertise any remaining spaces on their courses. It’s worth making a list of potential universities/courses of interest before A-Level results day so your child can make a quick decision on which institutions to call. Royal Holloway has downloadable guide to help you prepare.

More information about choosing the right courses can be found on Royal Holloway’s website.