Advice for parents and carers

Why Brighton? 

Inspiring staff, career-focused education and an exciting student community – find out why students choose the University of Brighton.

Choosing the right course
The most important decision is which course to study. Read our handy guide on helping them choose the right course. 

At Brighton we have a flexible admissions policy that treats students as individuals, taking into account more than just their grades.

Events and open days
Be part of the decision-making process by accessing our events. These include open days, campus tours, subject tasters and parents talks.

Apprenticeships
If your child wants to get a degree while working, a degree apprenticeship could suit them better. Our expanding apprenticeships programme covers careers including business, construction, media, health, science and teaching.

Resources for schools and colleges
We have a dedicated team that works with schools and colleges, encouraging students from all backgrounds to consider university. Access our detailed resources and find out more about our Widening Participation and Outreach programmes in our schools and colleges section.

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Why go to university?  

• Qualifications: a degree will be an essential requirement for 54% of jobs by 2024 (UK Commission for Employment and Skills).
• Earning power: average salary for graduates aged 25-30 is 30% higher than non-graduates (UCAS).
• Skills: a degree provides transferrable skills – communication, research, technical and IT skills.
• Independence: learn to think for yourself and organise your working life.
• Student life: it's not all about work – it’s fun! Meet students from around the world, join clubs and societies, and make friends for life.
• Student loans: costs may seem daunting but graduates only pay back loans when they earn over £27,295. The average monthly repayment on a salary of £30,000 is just £20 per month.

Parents and carers seminars 

We offer a series of seminars, currently running online, which aims to demystify the process of planning, applying and starting at university. The seminars offer impartial guidance which is relevant to all students.

Our rolling programme includes five seminars:

• Thinking about university
• Applying to university
• Funding and finance
• Making the most of summer
• Getting ready for university.

How do applications work? 

Refer to our application timeline for key information on every stage of the student’s journey, from when to apply for funding through to the first week of term.

For most full-time undergraduate courses, apply through the UCAS website. They can choose up to five courses at five universities, and apply for more than one course at a university. They also don't need to make all five choices at the same time and don't need to make choices in order of preference. Universities don't see where else they have applied until after deciding on offers.

For some courses, students will be shortlisted and interviewed before receiving an offer. For other courses, offers will be made on the basis of information provided in the UCAS application.

Each university responds to applications via the UCAS website with either a conditional offer, dependent on getting specific grades, or an unconditional offer.

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Important dates 

UCAS dates
The main UCAS deadline is in late-January, but students can apply for courses that still have places until July. If a student has used all five choices on UCAS and is not holding any offers, they can add more choices through UCAS Extra from February to June.

School and university dates
UK schools and colleges submit applications on behalf of their students, so they will have their own deadlines. These will usually be in November or December so that teachers have enough time to write academic references.

At Brighton we make offers from the autumn term onwards. For certain courses we also hold interviews from autumn onwards. Interviews will be held online for students starting in 2025. If your child has applied before the mid-January deadline and not heard from us by the end of February, then they should contact our admissions team.

UCAS Extra and Clearing 

UCAS Extra runs between each year between February and June. If a student has applied through UCAS, they can apply for another course through Extra.

If a student is eligible for Extra, UCAS will contact them directly. Students can only apply for one Extra vacancy at a time.

Clearing
Every year thousands of students who do not achieve their predicted grades find alternative courses through the UCAS Clearing process. Students can apply through UCAS Clearing from 5 July onwards, although most apply immediately after A-level results in August.

Supporting your child's application 

Research
Encourage your child to start researching potential courses as early as possible. Predicted grades should be taken into account and entry requirements for each of our courses can be found on our course pages.

Events
We offer a wide range of online events, from open days to subject tasters and events specifically for parents. These are an opportunity for prospective students and parents to explore subject areas, take virtual tours, talk to staff and current students, and ask questions.

Find out more about online events at the University of Brighton.

Work experience
Arranging work experience placements for school holidays will allow your child to acquire deeper knowledge of what their potential career path involves. Work experience can be arranged via the school or college, or by applying to companies or institutions directly.

Personal statements
Try to ensure your child has plenty of time to write a personal statement that sufficiently reflects their abilities, achievements and academic motivations.

Here at Brighton, we consider how knowledgeable and enthusiastic students appear to be about their chosen subject area in their personal statement. Motivation for course choice and subject involvement can be decisive factors in whether a student is likely to benefit from and complete a course.

Find out how to write a strong personal statement.

Interviews
Applicants for certain courses may need to do an online interview before we make an offer. Interviews allow admission tutors to better assess candidates, and decide how well they think they would cope with the demands of the course. The invitation to interview will be visible on the UCAS Hub website.

Find out more about preparing for an interview at Brighton.

Tuition fees – UK students 

Fees for the 2023–2024 academic year were £9,250 for the first year for most undergraduate courses. You'll find the exact fee for each course on our course finder.

Students don't have to pay tuition fees up front for a first degree but can get a tuition fee loan. For comprehensive information, visit our pages on university fees for undergraduates.

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Loans and funding 

Consider finance as early as possible in the application process so that your child’s payment is not delayed. You can apply for student finance before an offer has been confirmed. Parents and students need to complete their own sections of the application form.

Most students applying for their first undergraduate degree can receive a non means-tested tuition fee loan, which covers the cost of tuition, and a maintenance loan for accommodation, travel and other living costs. Students only start to pay back a loan after finishing studying and only when earning over the repayment threshold, currently £27,295 a year.

Government funding
Course-specific funding is available for teacher training routes. For more information, visit the Department for Education's bursaries website.

Extra government funding is also available in certain circumstances, including:

• Childcare grants, parents’ learning allowances, and Child Tax Credit for students who have children under the age of 17
• Disabled Students’ Allowances
• Adult Dependant’s Grant for full-time students who are in higher education and have an adult who depends on them financially.

Bursaries and scholarships 

The University of Brighton offers undergraduate students financial support through means-tested bursaries and scholarships to help with living costs or tuition fees. Bursaries don't need to be paid back and can help cover tuition, books, accommodation, travel and other costs.

This year, 50 students were awarded University of Brighton merit scholarships worth £1,000 each at the end of years 1 and 2 of their courses.

Find out more about bursaries and scholarships.

Accommodation options

Living arrangements top the list of many parents' concerns. You'll need reassurance that they'll be comfortable and secure.

We guarantee all eligible first year undergraduates a place in halls of residence. All of our halls are self-catered and we can help if your child prefers to rent privately.

Visit our accommodation section for detailed information on the options available.

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Home or away? 

Deciding whether to live at home or at university is a key choice. Here are some pros and cons of each: 

Living at home

Pros

• Support from family
• Familiarity with the area
• Cheaper

Cons

• Less independence
• Less involvement in university social life
• Travel may be time-consuming

Living in university accommodation

Pros

• Active social life
• Convenient (usually on campus)
• Secure

Cons

• Rent costs
• Shared facilities
• You cannot always choose who you live with

Current student experience 

It's a big change when a young person starts university and we know that the last two years have presented some big challenges.

We provide a range of services to help them succeed, feel safe and supported throughout their university career. 

For more information on what life will be like for them as university students, as well as advice on staying safe, tips on wellbeing, tutorials on digital skills, careers advice and more, visit our Brighton students section.

Packing 

There's a lot to remember when a young person starts university. To make sure they don't forget anything, make a packing checklist:

• clothes for all weathers and occasions (and coat hangers!)
• sports gear
• bedding, towels and laundry bag
• kitchen utensils and bathroom essentials
• stationery and folders for studies
• laptop and/or tablet plus USB sticks for backup
• paperwork: ID, NI number, university documents, bank details etc.
• family photos.

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Housekeeping 

Get your child familiar with domestic chores before they go – washing up, doing laundry and cleaning the house. Talk to them about keeping on top of bills too – council tax exemptions, TV licences, electricity and water.

Money matters
Student loans are paid in a lump sum at the start of each term. Remind them that their loan needs to last a whole term, and make a list of expenses. Most banks offer students accounts with overdrafts. Many also offer incentives such as free railcards and 0% interest on overdrafts. The My finances section shares advice and tips on money matters.

Food 

Food is often the biggest expense and cooking for themselves is cost-effective, so teach your child to cook cheap, tasty meals without breaking the bank – pasta, curry, soups and even a Sunday roast. All of our halls are self-catered but students can add in a food and drink plan (no need to wash up!). To find out more about meals at Brighton, see our food on campus information.

 Welcome and induction

There is a lot to remember in the first few weeks at university. Luckily, we have a handy first week checklist to help you – from enrolment to welcome events and the Students' Union.

Travel 

Whether you walk, cycle, take the bus, the train, or share a car, find out about options for getting to and from university with our guide to student travel options.

Paid work 

Having a part-time job during term-time can be beneficial for students. As well as earning money, a part-time job helps students enhance their CV, providing vital experience for future job applications. However, students must strike a balance between work and studies. At Brighton, we recommend that students do not work more than 15 hours per week during term-time.

We work with local employers to regularly update students on part-time job opportunities and employment events. Students can start by visiting the university's Vacancy and Events Service.

Another great way to gain experience and earn money is by becoming a Student Ambassador.

Students can also get advice from the Careers Service on finding a part-time job.

Registering with a doctor 

All students studying in the UK for more than six months are eligible for NHS services. To register, students need photographic ID and proof of address. Students who choose to register with an on-site surgeries will also need to show a valid student ID or library card.

We recommend that students register with a doctor shortly after arriving. This is important so that they can be seen as quickly as possible if they notice symptoms of illness. Our Moulsecoomb campus has an on-site GP surgery, in addition to nearby GP surgeries.

Wellbeing 

Going to university is exciting and enjoyable, but it can also be hard to manage. At Brighton we have a range of support available – Student Support and Guidance Tutors (SSGTs), counsellors, specialists in disability and dyslexia, and health advice.

Visit our dedicated My Wellbeing section for further information.

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Student Support and Guidance Tutors 

Known as SSGTs, these tutors are available to all students. They work for Student Services but are embedded in academic schools alongside academic staff. 

Whether your child has an issue with accommodation, academic deadlines or general wellbeing, these professionals can help.

Visit our SSGT page for further information and a list of contacts for each school.

Disability and dyslexia 

We believe that every student should have an equal opportunity to learn and use their abilities.

The university currently has over 2,300 students with disabilities, approximately 12% of the student population, so it is not unusual to be a disabled student here.

The Disability and Learning Support team coordinate support for students who declare a disability or a specific learning difficulty. A member of the team will contact your child to talk about how we can offer support if they indicate during the application process that they have a disability, dyslexia, or long-term medical condition.

Study and digital skills 

Studying at university is very different to school and your child will need guidance to adjust. As well as tutors, they will have access to a wealth of online resources.

Visit our dedicated section to Build your study and digital skills. There are resources on everything from presentation skills, time management, library research, note taking and group work to expert tutorials on key software such as Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher.

English language support 

English language tuition is provided by the Centre for Academic English Language Development and is available to all international and EU students who have yet to start their degree or are in their first year of study.

The institute uses the latest online learning techniques and is a member of the British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes (BALEAP). Its programmes are accredited by the British Council and many of its teachers are experienced examiners for bodies including Trinity College and Cambridge ESOL, offering the very best in language tuition.