Parents and carers guide to UCAS applications
From the first prospectus they pick up, to receiving their grades on results day – the UCAS application process can be a long journey. Find everything you need to help support your student as they apply to university below.
How to support their UCAS application
There are lots of ways you can support your student throughout the application process while encouraging them to take ownership of their application.
Proofreading
If they ask for feedback, help them check their personal statement or application for:
- clarity and structure
- spelling and grammar
- examples of achievements and experiences
- evidence of their motivation and ambitions
- relevance to their chosen course
- an authentic, personal voice.
Keep track of key dates
Help your student stay organised by making sure they're aware of important application deadlines and any requests for additional information from UCAS or their chosen universities.
Support their wellbeing
Applying to university can feel exciting, but it can also be stressful.Offer reassurance, encourage realistic expectations and help your student maintain a healthy balance between studying, completing their application and taking time to relax.
Interview preparation (where required)
Some courses ask applicants to attend an interview as part of the admissions process. If your student has been invited to interview, you can help by practising questions together, encouraging them to talk confidently about their experiences and reminding them to be themselves.
Find out how to prepare for an NTU interview
Portfolio preparation (where required)
Some creative and design courses ask applicants to submit a portfolio as part of their application. You can help by encouraging your student to select work that reflects their creativity, skills and development, while making sure they understand any course-specific portfolio requirements.
Read our portfolio advice
Application timeline
Applying to university involves several stages throughout the year. If your student is the first in your family to apply, it's completely normal to have questions about the process or the different deadlines.
This guide explains what typically happens at each stage of the undergraduate application journey where we've included key dates for students applying to start university in 2027.
This is the time for your student to start exploring their options and thinking about what they'd like to study.
UCAS hosts higher education exhibitions across the UK, giving prospective students the opportunity to meet universities, ask questions and compare courses. It's also a good time to begin researching universities, attending events and considering which courses best match their interests and ambitions.
From May, students can begin their UCAS application. Encourage them to take their time researching their options and building a strong application before they apply.
Key date for 2027 entry
- Tuesday 1 September 2026 – Completed UCAS applications for 2027 entry can be submitted.
Autumn is a great time to visit universities and experience campuses in person.
Open Days allow your student to explore facilities, speak to academics and current students, attend subject talks and get a feel for university life before making their final choices.
Key dates for 2027 entry
We're holding open days on:
- Saturday 10 October
- Saturday 7 November
- Saturday 5 December
This is one of the busiest stages of the application process, with most students submitting their UCAS applications before the equal consideration deadline.
After applying, some courses may invite applicants to attend an interview or submit a portfolio as part of the admissions process. If this applies to your student, encourage them to prepare in advance using our interview and portfolio guidance.
If NTU becomes their firm choice, it's also a good time to start exploring accommodation so they're ready when applications open.
Key dates for 2027 entry
- Wednesday 13 January 2027 – Equal consideration deadline for most undergraduate UCAS applications.
- Some courses have an earlier application deadline of Thursday 15 October 2026.
As your student begins receiving university decisions, it's also time to start planning for student finance and accommodation.
Encourage them to apply for student finance as soon as applications open and explore any scholarships or bursaries they may be eligible for.
If NTU is their firm choice, they'll also be able to apply for accommodation once bookings open.
Key date for 2027 entry
- Thursday 25 February 2027 – UCAS Extra opens for students who have used all five choices and aren't holding any offers.
As exams approach and results season gets closer, students can begin preparing for the next stage of their journey.
If they're eligible, they may also be able to explore opportunities through Clearing.
Key dates for 2027 entry
- Wednesday 30 June 2027 – Any new applications submitted after 6pm, will be automatically considered through Clearing
- Monday 1 July 2027 – Deadline to apply to NTU through UCAS Extra
- Tuesday 2 July 2027 – UCAS Clearing opens.
Results day is when most students find out whether they've secured their university place.
If your student receives the grades they need, they'll be able to start preparing for university. If their plans change, there are still plenty of options available, including Clearing.
After confirming their place, they'll receive information about enrolment, Welcome and any course-specific requirements, such as DBS or Fitness to Practise checks where applicable.
It's also the time to confirm accommodation and start getting ready for university life.
Key dates for 2027 entry
- Thursday 12 August 2027 – A-level results day.
September marks the start of university life.
Students joining us will be invited to NTU Welcome events designed to help them settle in, meet other students and prepare for their course before teaching begins.
It's an exciting time to build confidence, make new connections and start the next chapter of their journey.
Key dates for 2027 entry
- Mid-September to mid-October 2027 – NTU Welcome events and activities are available.
What happens with their application?
Here’s a summary of what your young person can expect to receive from us across the stages of their application.
Before applying
If they’ve already provided their details to us, they’ll join our mailing list. Our emails and letters are a great way to stay in touch and receive application advice, invites to our open days, and hear about what it’s like to study at NTU. You can also join our parents and carers mailing list.
After applying
Once they’ve submitted their application to NTU, we’ll confirm receipt of it and try to respond within 10 working days. We’ll also get back in touch by email if we need to ask them for any more personal details and further evidence or invite them to an interview.
Receiving an offer
If they receive an offer from NTU, they’ll be notified by email. They’ll also start to receive more information related to their course, including invitations to our open days. They’ll have the opportunity to meet with NTU staff and students and get a sense of what’s on offer at NTU.
As the UCAS deadline for responding to offers approaches, we’ll send them a courtesy reminder to ensure that they reply to our offer.
After results day
If the applicant has met the conditions of our offer, we’ll email them to confirm their place at NTU – we’ll send this confirmation through the post too. Our Welcome team will also be in touch, so make sure that their contact details are up to date with UCAS.
The email and letter will be issued as soon as possible after results day – keep them safe, as they’re official documents, and they’ll explain what to do next.
Understanding UCAS Tariff points
The UCAS Tariff allocates a points value to post-16 qualifications.
We use this system as the basis of our entry requirements – you’ll see a UCAS Tariff points total in the ‘Entry requirements’ section of our undergraduate courses. This helps our Admissions team to compare grades and scores from a wide range of qualifications – including BTECs and A-levels.
If your student is interested in a particular course, try to make sure they know the entry requirements in full – whether it’s a UCAS Tariff points total or a particular grade requirement, missing or ignoring these details could lead to a wasted application.
Our handy UCAS Tariff points calculator will help find out what grades they need to get onto their course.
Need more help with the application process?
Explore these resources to better support your young person's application journey.
Get in touch
If they're worried that they’ve missed a letter or email – or have any other questions, they can contact our Admissions team on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
Next steps
Open days and events
Our open days and events are the perfect way to see for yourself what makes life and learning at NTU so special. We can't wait to meet you.
Advice for helping a student through Clearing
We're here to give guidance to parents, carers, teachers and advisers who are supporting a student through Clearing - from results day to enrolment.
Helping a student prepare for university
You can’t do everything for them, but you can help them prepare. Here are some tips on budgeting, what to take, recipe ideas, and more.