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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

University Applications 2026 - Support Thread

645 replies

Ventress · 30/07/2025 10:18

DS is applying to start university in Autumn 2026. He's done several open days and has a reasonable idea of where and what he wants to wants to study - History or History & Politics.

He loved UCL and Exeter, liked Warwick, didn't like Bristol. He's also talking about early application but can't decide whether to apply to Oxford or Cambridge. He's also muttering about Durham, which he didn't visit but others in his History class did and loved it.

Anyone join me for a thread to support our DC as they navigate this process? DS is my only child so this is all new to me!

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Thread gallery
7
ArchitectureMum · 03/12/2025 17:58

An offer! Sheffield has offered DD a place. Such a big relief. She really liked it there so it’s great news. She is definitely going to add Cardiff but hasn’t done it yet. Not decided on her 5th choice. No news from Edinburgh but we aren’t expecting to hear from there for a while.

DD is up and down about Cambridge. Sometimes she seems to be putting it behind her and moving on and then she will be wistful again. I think she is beginning to think Edinburgh would be her next favourite but as I say no offer yet and she hasn’t been there yet so anything could happen.

JustHereWithMyPopcorn · 03/12/2025 18:18

Fab news @ArchitectureMum DS also has Sheffield on his list, he really liked the vibe on the open day.

JustHereWithMyPopcorn · 04/12/2025 08:37

🎉🎉 DS’s applications is finally live!! 🎉🎉

😀

Original poster
Ventress · 04/12/2025 08:53

Excellent news @ArchitectureMumSheffield is a great university.

Hooray @JustHereWithMyPopcorn! Now your son can stand back and watch the offers roll in 😊

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ArchitectureMum · 04/12/2025 09:20

Fantastic news @JustHereWithMyPopcorn hope the offers come in soon.

JustHereWithMyPopcorn · 10/12/2025 10:34

DS has had some offers! Notts and Sheffield offers, both AAB, 6 days from UCAS receiving the final submission from school. I feel great relief that he has something on the table before Christmas!

ArchitectureMum · 10/12/2025 15:49

Fantastic!

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Ventress · 10/12/2025 17:13

Fantastic @JustHereWithMyPopcorn lovely quick offers for your DS!

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Aboutmeabouttime · 13/01/2026 19:52

Finally have something to say! Application was submitted yesterday and confirmations of receipt have come through from 3 choices. DD has booked portfolio review in person for end of Feb 😊 excited for her!

JustHereWithMyPopcorn · 14/01/2026 14:32

Great news @Aboutmeabouttime it's such a relief to get the thing submitted isn't it!! Hopefully the offers will start coming in now.

Original poster
Ventress · 03/02/2026 07:30

Good news @Aboutmeabouttime! It absolutely is a huge relief to get that submitted.

DS has has his final offer - thank goodness. Now a toss up between UCL and Durham. Offer holder days here we come!

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ArchitectureMum · 03/02/2026 07:34

Two fantastic options for him @Ventress . Enjoy the OHDs. Are the offers the same as each other? Are they comfortably achievable? Does he know what he is planning for his insurance?

Original poster
Ventress · 03/02/2026 07:41

Will the portfolio review be at her school/college @Aboutmeabouttime? Such a lot of work goes into those! What course/s is she going for?

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Original poster
Ventress · 03/02/2026 07:47

Thanks @ArchitectureMum Durham is Astar AA (for history) with an A in history and UCL is AAA with A in history.

Nor much in it really. I’ve suggested he speak to his tutor about which is more likely to budge on grades.
He’ll firm one and insure the other as neither are usually in clearing.

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Aboutmeabouttime · 03/02/2026 09:03

@Ventress portfolio review in person is at Norwich Uni of the Arts for Fine Art. She has an offer from Art Uni Bournemouth for the same course but submitted her portfolio online to them. She has two other options which are art related but not Fine Art and has an offer and an interview… it’s going to be a busy couple of months with those and an offer holder days… she is pretty torn about what to go for!

Original poster
Ventress · 03/02/2026 11:55

Good luck! My friend did fine art at Norwich about 11,000 years ago and had a great time. Been working steadily since 😊

Would she prefer fine art @Aboutmeabouttime or the other art options?

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UnimaginableWindBird · 03/02/2026 18:26

Good luck to her @Aboutmeabouttime. We're in a similar situation with DD applying for costume design/construction. She's had offers from AUB and Salford and is waiting to hear back from UAL, Edinburgh and Nottingham Trent. AUB is her second choice after UAL, so it depends on UAL, and apparently they tend to be really slow in getting back to applicants.

Fabfabfab · 03/02/2026 19:06

Ventress · 03/02/2026 07:47

Thanks @ArchitectureMum Durham is Astar AA (for history) with an A in history and UCL is AAA with A in history.

Nor much in it really. I’ve suggested he speak to his tutor about which is more likely to budge on grades.
He’ll firm one and insure the other as neither are usually in clearing.

I would love to know the answer if you find anything out. Feeling a bit worried about DC's Durham offer as he needs to achieve his predicted grades to get in which isn't always that easy. Sounds like they are one of the Universities who rarely accept those with missed grades although some said they knew people who had still been accepted last year

Original poster
Ventress · 04/02/2026 07:59

If I hear anything I will let you know @Fabfabfab

I have a feeling DS will firm Durham and insure UCL. He’s predicted three A stars and got two A stars and an A border for his January mocks. Obviously still has pull this out of the bag in May though.

What is your son’s insurance choice and grade?

Fine art (and those related subjects) is so hard to get into. Good luck to you both!

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Fabfabfab · 05/02/2026 15:10

Ventress · 04/02/2026 07:59

If I hear anything I will let you know @Fabfabfab

I have a feeling DS will firm Durham and insure UCL. He’s predicted three A stars and got two A stars and an A border for his January mocks. Obviously still has pull this out of the bag in May though.

What is your son’s insurance choice and grade?

Fine art (and those related subjects) is so hard to get into. Good luck to you both!

Edited

Sounds very doable for your DC, great to hear he is on track! My DC hasn't had mocks yet but is now working hard after a quieter period over Christmas! Insurance likely to be Exeter with ABB offer (or BBB if he firms which he isn't intending to). Not visited Warwick yet so will see if he likes it at the OHD and if he prefers it over Exeter he may see if it's in clearing again this year (was BBB last year) if he misses out on Durham. Or, if it's not going that well nearer the time of having to make a decision, he will probably firm Bristol instead rather than take the gamble for Durham. Hoping he will do really well in exams but if not, Exeter is still a great choice and he loved it at the open day.

Original poster
Ventress · 17/02/2026 07:26

I hope you enjoy Warwick @FabfabfabI liked it, DS was less convinced! I agree that Exeter is a great insurance shout.

We have booked Sissinghurst for June 😊. It’s after DS has finished his a levels but he’s not coming with us - not his sort of thing.

Still not heard about UCL offer holder day, but that could be DS rather than the university. I’ve asked him to check his email. He and DH can always go up in the summer but a “real” OHD would be good.

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Original poster
Ventress · 17/02/2026 07:32

A friend’s daughter has had an offer from E15. She’s very excited about it 😊she has an offer from Rose Bruford too but that is just a year apparently. I’m not very au fait with the performing arts universities but they sound very exciting!

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Fabfabfab · 17/02/2026 08:54

@Ventress is DC still more keen on UCL than Durham? Hopefully he will go to the OHD to find out a bit more before making a decision. Both are fantastic options! What did you like about Warwick and what didn't DC like about it? We are going in March for the OHD and I've heard it's a bit like marmite.

We are just at home this half-term. Feels a bit strange not going away now or over Easter but aside from spending the weekend with his girlfriend DC is now revising pretty studiously.

Original poster
Ventress · 17/02/2026 09:14

I liked the newness and the FAB at Warwick. I also loved the seminars given by the staff. DS wasn’t keen on the newness. Thought the place was rather “Disney”. I can see why he thought that but I liked the clean looks and wide boulevards. The other universities we saw were all older. His school is old too so he’s just used to old. Just differences of opinion/ taste real. Definitely marmite!

He is still set on UCL to firm. I am coming round to this idea. It’s a great university. We will go to Durham OHD too - I still think it’s probably better for pastoral care and sport. I’d be interested to hear what you think about this. Is anyone else doing Durham OHD?

Enjoy a home half term 😊 DS is doing his History NEA apparently!

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Fabfabfab · 17/02/2026 11:04

@Ventress DC is also used to older buildings so will see what he makes of Warwick. It does look very 'Disney' in the photos. In some ways, given that he's already had the more traditional experience it wouldn't be so bad going for something modern. Was thinking the same about the Durham colleges e.g. whether to put a preference for gowned or not. Don't think DC minds too much either way.