What happens?
Submit applications through UCAS any time from early-September.
Parent actions
Your child will have to register with UCAS in order to start completing their application. The application can be completed in stages, so you could offer to proofread and check it with them.
What happens?
UCAS applications will be submitted to your child's school or college before being sent on to UCAS. The school or college will add their reference as well as predicted grades.
Parent actions
Check with your child’s school or college on when they need to get the UCAS application in by, as this is different to the overall UCAS deadline.
What happens?
Student applications must be submitted 15 January to be considered equally, but there is still a chance to apply after this deadline.
Parent actions
The 15 January deadline is for the chance for student to be equally considered there are further dates in the application cycle so do not worry if this date is not met your child can still apply later in the application cycle.
What happens?
Applicants will start to receive ‘offers’ and will be invited to attend offer holder events. If an applicant has used all five choices and is not holding any offers, they can add another choice using UCAS ‘Extra’.
Parent actions
This can be a stressful time. Try to reassure your child, their friends may receive their offers before your child but their chosen universities will get back to them.
What happens?
Applicants who have received all their decisions by the end of March must reply by the start of May
Parent actions
Your child needs to make a decision about which offers they want to make their firm and insurance choice. Their firm choice should be the university they most want to go to. Their insurance choice should also be a university they want to go to but it should have a lower offer to act as a back-up. This can be a difficult decision, so you may need to act as a sounding board and discuss options with them.
What happens?
Applicants who have received all their university decisions by the beginning of May must reply by early June.
Parent actions
Check with your child when this date is and encourage them to reply – they can find this out on their UCAS Track.
What happens?
Applications who received all their university decisions by the start of June must reply by the end of June.
Parent actions
If your child decided to make an application later in the cycle this will be the date they need to adhere to but you will need to check in with them to see what date the UCAS Track has given them.
What happens?
This is for all late applications and decisions must be made by this date
Parent actions
UCAS Track will advise your child about the dates they need to make decisions by – you can help them to make a decision and ensure they reply on time.
What happens?
Results Day for many qualifications. Clearing opens. Your child can use Clearing if they are still looking for a university place.
Parent actions
If all goes well, it's time to celebrate! However, if your child's grades fall short of what they needed for their Firm Offer, we recommend you encourage them to contact their chosen university and discuss their options before making any big decisions.
Your child may have to apply for a course using Clearing. This involves calling universities who still have places on their courses and chatting to an advisor to see if your child meets the Clearing entry requirements.
What happens?
Applicants need to make sure they meet all the conditions of their offer by late August. This includes any outstanding GCSE results.
Parent actions
Make sure they read all emails and instructions from admissions and send any evidence needed to admissions in good time.
What happens?
Applicants arrive at their chosen university
Parent actions
September is a busy month, especially if your child is going to live at the university – help your child to prepare by encouraging them to read all the information they are sent by their new university and student finance.
