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    Parents & Supporters

    Supporting a university applicant? 

    Applying for university is an exciting time, full of big decisions and new opportunities. As your student navigates their options, you’ll likely have questions of your own — where to begin, what to consider, and how to help them feel confident in their choice.

    A clear understanding of the application process will help you in giving them the right support. From exploring universities on open days to securing a place, your guidance can make a real difference. 

    How will my student be supported at university? 

    At ÎÞÂ붯»­, your student will be fully supported throughout their whole time with us. From day one, we aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where they can thrive personally and academically.

    Experienced and friendly advisors can help your student with accommodation, managing money, careers and placements, health and wellbeing and learning needs.

    If you would like to learn more about the different types of support we offer, you can explore our university life hub

    What is Student Finance? 

    Student Finance is the main way students receive financial support for university. It helps cover the cost of studying, but it must be applied for separately from their university application.

    As part of the application, you’ll need to provide details of your household income. This helps determine how much financial support your student can receive.

    Tuition Fees

    Tuition fees cover the cost of studying at university and are charged per year. These are paid upfront by a tuition fee loan, which is available to all eligible UK undergraduate students and isn’t based on household income. The loan is paid directly to the university, so there’s no need to arrange payments yourself.

    Repayments start after graduation—usually from the April after they finish—and only when your student earns above a certain income threshold. Payments are automatically deducted from their salary, just like tax or National Insurance.

    You can find out more about tuition fees on .

    Maintenance Loans

    To help with living costs, students can apply for a maintenance loan. This helps cover essentials like accommodation, food, and travel. The amount they receive depends on household income, course length, and whether they’ll be living at home or away.

    Maintenance loans are paid in three instalments across the year—one at the start of each term—to help students budget. Depending on how much they receive, you may need to provide additional financial support until they can manage independently.

    Additional Support

    If your student needs additional financial help, we offer bursaries and scholarships from their second year onwards. You can explore what’s available on our scholarship pages.

    How can I best support their application? 

    Our undergraduate application process is done almost exclusively through , unless your student is applying from overseas. Their school or college will usually support them through the process—helping them set up a profile, confirm their choices, and craft their personal statement.

    You can take a look at our application key dates below or check for regular updates on the .

    For more information on how the application process works, view our ‘How to Apply’ pages.

    Is university the right choice for my student?

    There are plenty of reasons why your student might choose university—whether it’s to work towards their future career or simply because they love their subject.

    But university is about so much more than just gaining a qualification! At Harper Adams, our hands-on, applied learning approach ensures students don’t just build knowledge—they develop real-world skills that set them up for success in any career. Along the way, they’ll also gain independence, confidence, and the chance to meet people from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures.

    Want to know more? Explore our dedicated page to discover what makes studying at Harper Adams unique.

    What key terms and jargon should I know? 

    Application

    The process of applying to university, usually through UCAS. This includes choosing courses, submitting a personal statement, and providing predicted grades or qualifications.

    Clearing

    A system that helps students find a university place if they didn’t apply through the main cycle, changed their mind, have no offers, did better than predicted, or didn’t meet the conditions of their initial choices.

    Conditional Offer

    An offer from a university that depends on the student meeting specific requirements, such as achieving certain grades.

    Entry Requirements

    The qualifications, grades, or experience a student needs to be accepted onto a university course. These vary by course and university.

    Firm Choice

    The student’s first-choice university, selected through UCAS. If they meet the conditions of the offer, this is where they will study.

    Further Education (FE)

    Education after secondary school, such as A-levels, T-levels, BTECs, or apprenticeships, typically studied at a college or sixth form.

    Higher Education (HE)

    Education beyond A-levels or equivalent, usually at a university, leading to a degree or other qualifications.

    Insurance Choice

    A student’s backup university choice, chosen in case they don’t meet the conditions of their firm choice.

    Open Day

    An event where prospective students and their families visit a university to explore the campus, meet staff and students, and learn more about courses.

    Offer Holder Day

    A special event for students who have received an offer from a university, giving them a chance to experience student life before making a final decision.

    Personal Statement

    A short, written statement included in a UCAS application where students explain why they want to study their chosen course, what makes them a strong candidate, and their future aspirations.

    Placement Year

    A year of work experience built into a degree, giving students practical industry experience before they graduate.

    UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)

    The central organisation that manages university applications in the UK. Students apply for courses through UCAS, and universities use it to process applications.

    Unconditional Offer

    An offer from a university that guarantees a place on the course, regardless of final exam results. Students may still need to meet non-academic conditions, such as providing proof of qualifications, work experience or passing a DBS check for certain courses.

    Feel supported: UCAS and Clearing guides

    Get clear, practical advice on UCAS, Clearing, and offers—so you can support your student through their university journey. 

    Our reputation

    We received an overall Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework 2023 - 2027.

    60 per cent of our research is world-leading or internationally excellent, according to the Research Excellence Framework (2021)

    Thanks to our students, we have been voted the best university in the UK for career prospects, eight years running (2016 - 2024).

    Key dates and events

    29 January 2025

    The initial UCAS deadline.

    February – March

    Student Finance applications typically open in late February or early March.

    February – April

    If your student holds an offer with us, we’ll invite them to an Offer Holder Day between February and April.

    April

    Our student accommodation platform opens for applications.

    May

    If your student applied by the January deadline, they'll start to receive decisions from their university choices in May.

    May

    Student Finance closes. Please check your country’s student finance website for specific dates.

    June

    If your student received all their offers in May, they have until June to decide their firm and insurance choices.

    July – August

    It’s results day for your student! It’s now time for them to either confirm their place at university or explore other options through Clearing.

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