Undergraduate guide for parents and supporters
Explore our parents and supporters guide to find out everything you need to know before your child starts undergraduate study. From key dates to a checklist of practical things to consider.
Welcome to our dedicated guide for parents and supporters of current and prospective UWE Bristol students.
You’ll find advice on how to choose a university, key dates in the application timeline and a checklist of practical things to consider throughout the process. Discover how to help your child prepare for student life and how you can best support them when they’re studying here with us.
Sign up for updates
To receive the latest information, please register for our email updates.
Subscribe to our parents and supporters newsletter
Contact us
Got questions or concerns? Get in touch with us.
Why go to university
We understand it can be daunting when your child is preparing to go to university. Perhaps your child is living away from home for the first time or moving to the UK from overseas. Or if your child’s the first person in your family to go to university, you may be wondering what it will be like.
Whatever your concerns, it’s natural to feel nervous. We can reassure you that your child is in safe hands at UWE Bristol. They’ll join our inclusive and supportive community, with a range of activities to help them to fit in and make friends in a safe campus environment. Plus, they'll have access to all the wellbeing and academic support services they'll need to thrive, from counselling to Peer Assisted Learning.
Deciding if university is the right option
As a parent, you may be wondering if your child should go to university, and if it’s worth the cost. If you’re from overseas, you may also question whether a UK degree is valuable in your home country, and whether your child can apply for a post-study work visa.
When considering the value of going to university, a degree is an investment. At UWE Bristol, your child will have access to career development support and practical opportunities such as work experience, placements and part-time jobs. By gaining practical experience alongside their studies, your child will graduate with improved employment and salary prospects at the end of their degree.
The broad range of opportunities at university can boost your child’s confidence, skills and career ambitions. University is for everyone, and the opportunities available are open to all, no matter what your background, circumstances or interests are. The important thing is that your child chooses the right university and course for them to help them reach their potential.
Money is a common worry for students and their parents and supporters. The good news is that many students are eligible to apply for financial support, such as funding, loans, scholarships and bursaries. Our students can also find vacancies for part-time jobs through our Students' Union JobShop, which they can fit around their studies to supplement their income. Our Student Money Service are on hand to provide advice too.
Applying to university
Hear from parent Steph, as she shares her experience of supporting her daughter through the university application process. She offers her tips on what she found useful and the things that were important to her.
Ranking and reputation
Find out more about UWE Bristol's employability figures, league table positions and other important University rankings and metrics, including our investments and research.
Graduate destinations
See where our graduates have gone on to work after leaving UWE Bristol and where a degree has taken them, across all our subject areas.
Campus and facilities
Spread across three sites, explore our campuses and find out everything you need to know about the state-of-the-art facilities available to your child.
Discover Bristol
A city buzzing with potential, it's the perfect place for your child to find theirs. Discover why Bristol's one of the best places to live in the UK.
Checklist of things to consider
-
Step 1
At the initial research stage, it’s important to consider what’s right for your child. Do they want to live on campus, in the city or stay at home? Our undergraduate study guide will show what course and type of university would best suit their needs and aspirations.
-
Step 2
Learn how the undergraduate application process works, from the entry requirements they'll need to the application process. If you’re from overseas, please see our international applicants webpage for the information you'll need. Help to keep them on track with key dates and deadlines on our application timeline webpage.
-
Step 3
Read about the learning and teaching terminology you may come across throughout the application process and beyond. Explore key terms around our learning, teaching and assessment methods used widely across the University.
-
Step 4
For many international students, studying in the UK is very different from studying back home. It’s important they know what’s expected of them when they start their studies and understand how these expectations may be different to those in their home country. If your child is looking to study in the UK from overseas, then you may have additional questions. Find out everything you need to know about visas and English Language requirements, as well as country-specific information and advice, on our international study webpage.
-
Step 5
An Open Day is your child’s opportunity to get a real feel for what it’s like to study here. We host Open Days on campus and some virtually. You can also explore our campuses digitally at any time, from the comfort of your own home, through our virtual tour site.
-
Step 6
As a prospective undergraduate student, your child may be eligible to access tuition fee and maintenance funding. Encourage them to apply for funding as soon as it opens, so it’s in place before they start their studies.
-
Step 7
If your child holds an offer to study at UWE Bristol, they’ll be invited to attend an Offer Holder Event before they join us. Attending an Offer Holder Event will help your child to decide if the course they’ve applied for is the right one for them. Designed specifically for applicants, an Offer Holder Event will give your child the opportunity to explore their course and its modules in more detail. They’ll also be able to meet other people who have applied to their course. We’ll be running virtual and On Campus Offer Holder events for most courses.
-
Step 8
If your child chooses to live away from home, finding the right accommodation will help them feel at home from the moment they arrive. Most of our student accommodation is on campus, which is supported by on-campus security and is accessible by key card entry. Explore our accommodation options, including halls of residence on or near our campuses and private rented accommodation.
-
Step 9
If your child has a disability, impairment or medical condition it's important they disclose this on their application. That way we can make sure the right support is put in place before they arrive. It's also important that they check their emails regularly so they don't miss any information on what to do next after they've applied.
You may also be interested in
Support your child at university
Learn how to best support your child when they arrive at university and help to prepare them for moving away from home for the first time.
Accommodation
We offer a choice of accommodation, both on and off campus, to fit your lifestyle and needs.
International study
Information for international students studying at UWE Bristol including courses, visas and immigration plus funding and scholarships.