For parents

We understand the vital role that you, the parents, play in supporting and guiding your son or daugher through the application process right through to arriving at University.

That’s why we have put together this section containing all the key infromation you will need to support your son or daughter, and answer any questions or queries you may have about the University of Bedfordshire.

It’s an exciting and new time for your son or daughter. Looking for a university and course which is appropriate to their needs can also be a daunting experience. Take a look at our useful guide to help you through the process of university and making an informed decision with your son or daughter.

If there is anything you would like to contact us about, please email us on questions@beds.ac.uk

STEP 1. Choosing the Right University and Course

There are over 50,000 courses across the UK and more than 300 universities and colleges who offer degree level programmes. This gives your son or daughter a wide variety of options. To make sure they get on the right course, follow these simply steps.

Do as much research as possible on the course(s) of interest and the university where it is being offered. Search for corses on UCAS, send off for prospectuses, check out websites and course entry requirments, and make sure you attend Higher Education fairs and Open Days; these will give you an insight into the university, study facilities and academic aspects of the course. You will also be able to speak with current students, and if your child is planning to move away from home, you will be able to get a feel for the town/city the university is located in.
If unsure which subject to study, students are able to take part in the Stamford Test at www.ucas.com This test will match their abilities and interests to possible programmes of study.

STEP 2. Applying to University

When your son or daughter have done their research on universities and courses and picked their top five, they should visit www.ucas.com.

UCAS: UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) is a central organisation that processes applications on behalf of universities and colleges. Students can only apply for a course at a university through UCAS.
Applying to university has never been easier; applications are made online via the UCAS website to a maximum of five universities. Please remember all applications must be submitted by 15 January 2012. For detailed information on filling out the UCAS application form, please visit our handy hints section.
Personal statements are an important part of the UCAS application process. It gives students the opportunity to inform institutions on why they are applying, why they have chosen the course, any relevant work experience they attained and where there interest has steam from. It is crucial that they take their time and the personal statement is not left until the last minute.

STEP 3. UCAS Letter of Acknowledgement

Once your son or daughter submits their application, UCAS will send them a letter of acknolwedgement confirming that their applictaion has been recieved. This will also explain how to use the 24 hour UCAS Track online. UCAS Track is an online system which allows applicants a quick way to view their applications, and to see if they have been made any offers.

STEP 4. University decisions

There are three types of letters/responses your son or daughter could receive from their chosen universities.

Conditional Offer: This means the applicant will be made an offer on the condition that they meet the criteria required for the course.

Unconditional Offer: This is an offer made by the university if the applicant has already met the criteria for the course they have applied to. This mostly applies to students who have been on a gap year and have already applied and got a place through UCAS.

Entry into UCAS Extra: If the student has used all of their five choices, received no offers or has declined offers, UCAS Extra allows them a second chance to apply for another university course.

STEP 5. Choosing the Final Two Universities

Once the applicant has received all offers, they will need to make one their ‘Firm’ choice and another offer their ‘Insurance’ choice. The firm acceptance should be the university where your son or daughter want to go, and the insurance acceptance the second choice in case they do not meet the requirements of their firm choice.

STEP 6. Results

If the applicant has met all the conditions of their ‘Firm’ offer, the university will confirm they have a place. If they have not met all the conditions of their firm choice and they have not been accepted there, but they have met the conditions of their ‘Insurance’ offer then that university will confirm a place.

If they have not met all the conditions of their firm choice or their insurance choice, then they may enter Clearing.

STEP 7. Clearing

This process starts on A Level Results day. Clearing is the opportunity for the students who are not holding a place at a university to communicate directly with universities who have places available. It allows them to contact the institutions directly with their qualifications to discuss their options and suitability for the course.

The university or college will inform your son or daughter whether or not they can offer them a place. If your son or daughter wishes to accept the place they will need to accept by UCAS Track to confirm, and not be reliant on a verbal offer.

The university will confirm the place through UCAS and they will send your son or daughter a confirmation letter.

STEP 8. Arriving at University

Once your son or daughter has secured a place, you can breath a big sigh of relief. But the planning is not over just yet. You have to consider things like finances, accommodation, transport, things to pack, and most importantly, induction and registration dates. Universities should send you all this information as soon as your son or daughter have confirmed their place, so make sure you keep an eye out for this key piece of information.

Key UCAS dates for 2012 entry

15 October - Deadline for all Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary courses. Deadline for OXFORD or CAMBRIDGE Applications
15 January - Deadline for Applicants from UK and EU to apply to UCAS to guarantee consideration from all universities applied to
24 February - UCAS Extra Open
10 May- Deadline fort universities to make decisions on applications recieved by 15 January 2012 through UCAS
30 June - UCAS Extra closed Final, after this date you automatically enter clearing
16 August - Results Day / Clearing Starts

Strong Financial Support

We know how imporatnt financial support is for students and that is why we offer bursaries and scholarships that are amongst the most generous; some stuents may also be eligible for the National Scholarship Programme which offers a package of upto £3,000. Visit www.beds.ac.uk/money to see what we offer. In addition, there is plenty of help available from the Government, visit www.directgov.gov.uk/studentfinance to read more.

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For parents