University Applications 2026 - Support Thread

[Ventress]

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!

That’s very exciting @UnimaginableWindBird

Has she applied with grades in hand or got unconditional offers?

Grades in hand - she's going to art college and did A-levels last year and is doing her art foundation this year. Her offer for UAL where sheplans on studying is unconditional, but a couple of other places required her to pass her art foundation.

My DD just can't decide between Leeds and Newcastle. She has an offer holder day at Newcastle at the end of April so wants to go to see if it helps her decide. It's a 3 hour drive so I hope it does help!

Is anyone still waiting to hear from universities? DS is still waiting to hear from 3 which is just horrendous. We had really hoped this part would be out of the way by now so he could just focus on the exams not fixating on checking the portal!

@Jennaveeve oh that’s horrible, your poor DS. Is it London unis? They always seem to take forever.

DS has finally committed and firmed Bath and insured Nottingham. We looked at accommodation yesterday, bloody hell it’s expensive unless you’re prepared to share your room with a stranger!

@JustHereWithMyPopcorn one London, one Scotland and Bath.

@Jennaveeve What is he studying? Is it something super competitive?

Economics so I don’t think super competitive. I’m just annoyed that the advisory deadline was 31st March and 3 universities ignored it. He’ll also miss the offer holder day for the Scottish one now, which isn’t great if my some miracle he does get an offer.

economics is one of the most competitive courses unfortunately.

I know of others who are awaiting offers from Edinburgh and St Andrews; if it’s either of them, he’s not alone.

Yes, one of DS’s friends is also waiting on St Andrews. I also think Economics is very competitive. Does he have offers from the other two@Jennaveeve ?

Yes, one was his bottom choice though. The other was his 3rd. He’s feeling very disheartened.

@Jennaveeve i know of a DC with excellent GCSEs and great predictions who didn't get a single offer for economics last year. They'd put down high ranking universities. In the end they got an offer via Extra. So your DS has done well to get 2 offers.

It must be so frustrating @Jennaveeve but it’s not a rejection, hang on in there and hopefully at least one more offer will come through. Economics is really competitive. So 2/5 is not bad going especially with the third choice coming in. Have you seen the offer rates on UCAS for all the courses? May is just around the corner now so not too much longer to wait in the grand scheme of things.

Sorry to those still waiting… hopefully not too much longer…

Been working our way through admin the last few days. Loan sorted (only eligible for minimum so straightforward) and accommodation request submitted and offer returned - super quick. Just paid security deposit so all feeling very real!

Next job is various other docs that DD needs for her course…

DD got tired of waiting for her last two choices (KCL and Edinburgh) and went ahead and withdrew those applications so she could firm Glasgow. It was her first choice anyway, both for location and course, and she was waiting for the others more out of curiosity than anything else.

DS has firmed UCL. Hooray. He was pretty sure on UCL but less sure about his insurance choice. He’s gone for Exeter as the insurance. I’m very relieved he’s made has choice now and can just concentrate on revision.

Great news @Ventress . It’s so nice to have the choices settled.

Lots of revision now here too and art exam prep for next week. DD can’t wait for it all to be over. Although she is thinking of doing some art classes in the summer once the exams are out of the way so she hasn’t been too put off.

I‘m starting to think that unis are waiting for others to do similar. I wouldn‘t want LSE anymore at this stage but DS is grimly hanging on for an answer until the bitter end.

Same here @lanadelgrey

DS wants to know LSE’s decision but won’t be firming or insuring a place there even if he does get an offer from them!

@MiniMidiMaxiThats fab, after all the stress since last summer. You don’t have to worry about grades.
@Ventresswell
done for putting that in, I would say. DD still
not sure of insurance and don’t want to commit yet. So reading about everyone applying for loans, accommodation making me anxious. I kept telling her to click that button, but she says none of her friends did.
How do we apply for accommodation and pay fee before even know the grades. I am still
getting used to the system!
well done all your YP who made the decision and done with it! Now for the exams in 30 days. 8 hours is madness , not sure if that’s even possible, they may sit in front of the book, but won’t take in much imho

You can apply for student finance and put down any of your courses where toy have an offer, and then change it if you need to later. Rather than waiting until she's firmed - if you want to.

Accommodation works differently at every uni so very important to check each one for what you need to do and when.

It’s great that your DD isn’t so put off by the art work @ArchitectureMum- good luck to her with the course work! DS is doing his tennis coaching with the same level of commitment! Good though as it will generate money which he will need.

I thought DS would be late and the rest of your dc would have firmed and applied for their accommodation and finance. I think/hope that DS has applied for these but I’m also trying to leave it to him (difficult!)

I hope that those LSE offers come through soon 😊

You would know if he had applied for finance as you'd get an email asking you to support his application (unless he's not applying for maintenance)

Not one to let slide as the money won't come in time if he leaves it too long.

Good points @SilverBlue56, thanks. I will chase DS at the weekend.