Help! University 2026

[Jean81]

I am completely new to anything university related. No one in the family has been to university before And I am lost with where to start. My son wants to apply to university for 2026, when do we start looking round? What are things we should look for & what questions should we ask?
I know applications have just closed for this year, but I’m trying to organise when to visit.

TIA

You need to find out when your school or sixth form is holding an information evening. You can also look at the UCAS website and the opendays.com
Website to book an openday at a local uni this summer to gain more information.

There are further and higher education sections in MN and a Facebook page called WIWIKAU with info but use the search function rather than reading random posts on the Facebook page.

The format of the ucas form is changing for 2026 entry so don't bother reading about personal statements as the information will be requested in a series of questions instead.

Open days are mostly in the summer term of Year 12.

UCAS deadline for applications is January of Year 13. However the Oxbridge deadline is earlier.

There is a Higher Education board on MN which might be helpful.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/higher_education

It's a stressful time, for sure! There are a couple online sessions that I'm attending that are all about applying to university, particularly the more prestigious ones like Oxbridge and the Ivy League in the US. This is the link to register for the Oxbridge one if you want to check it out: https://highgroveeducation.com/applying-to-oxbridge/

Start with what work he wants to do after uni and work backwards.

Check what degree he needs to do that work.

Anecdotally kids from working class back grounds usually think in terms of vocational degrees, medicine, nursing etc.

Check the degree actually leads to that career eg there are a lot of forensic science courses but not many forensic scientists took that route.

But obviously you don't have to do a vocational degree, a lot of graduate training schemes ask for any degree.

A degree is a minimum of three years so really you need to enjoy the surject(s) you study.

Ask about 'widening participation' some unis will give bursaries to students whose parents did not attend uni.

Look in to the finances and at accomodation

The UCAS website is quite helpful. Have you read all the advice on there?

Start by having him look at the subject he wants to study on UCAS and see which universities offer it.
https://www.ucas.com/
If he wants to study a professional qualification then the content of the degree will be very similar wherever you go so focus on the university/location. For other subjects, such as history, narrow it down first by looking at the course content (modules) as it will vary a lot and he should aim for a course that meets his interests.
As pp have said check if they offer anything in terms of bursaries to first generation students.
You can go to open days even if you're not yet in a position to apply so book for the next one at your nearest university just to have a look. There'll be lots of people to give advice and talks on finance, subjects, accommodation tours etc.
Manchester link as an example.
https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/open-days-visits/open-days/
Good luck!

I would book university open days now. Don’t look locally if it’s not suitable. My local one is bottom 10%. You need to have an idea (ideally) of career, subject and grades he’s likely to get. This can be based on GCSEs and school reports/marks for A levels. Do not undersell DC but don’t be unrealistic either. He should have had info from school about open days by now and be aware of other dc going to them. Many are next term or early Autumn term.

@Jean81 There is loads of info on the UCAS site and best universities for subjects are on the Complete University Guide web site. What A levels is he doing and what is he most interested in? Thats a good starting point. When a few possible universities are identified, look at their open day info on their web sites and book up!