The UniTasterDays Parents' Guide To University 2025

Featuring editorial content from over 75 expert practitioners. A great addition to your parent and carer resources.

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Universities, Schools and Colleges - request the Parents' Guide to University brochure for your website and online resources

The Parents’ Guide to University has been produced by UniTasterDays in collaboration with HELOA to help parents and guardians understand key aspects of university, so they can confidently support those considering university.

Editorial has been provided over 75 university representatives from across the UK, plus expert leaders from outside the sector, such as Martin Lewis from MoneySavingExpert.com.

 Download the guide(PDF 9MB)

Please note, this version is only for your internal use and should not be circulated externally or hosted on your website.

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Get your Parents’ Guide to University 2025

The Parents’ Guide to University 2025 is now available to download, completely free, with no registration required.

Produced by UniTasterDays in collaboration with HELOA, it’s designed to help parents and guardians support young people with key university decisions – from whether to go, to what and where to study.

It features expert advice from over 75 university representatives and sector voices, including Martin Lewis from MoneySavingExpert.com.

The guide covers every stage of the journey. From research and events, to applications, finance, and preparation. With new content this year focused on navigating university choices during the cost-of-living crisis.

Members of HELOA are delighted to have been asked to collaborate on the Parents Guide to University, a combined effort of staff, student and parent voices to support you in supporting your young person. Whether it’s in person in schools and colleges, on campus at open events or online, our members work together to support thousands of prospective students and their families to navigate the range of choices available in higher education each year. If this is your first journey through the process, or you’re not sure what has changed recently, this guide is a great place to start.

Raffaella Cuccia
HELOA UK Vice-Chair (Partnerships)

The Career Development Institute is delighted to support the UniTasterDays Parents' Guide to University brochure. Informed and impartial careers education, information, advice and guidance is crucial to help young people navigate to their next stage of education, training or work. This valuable resource from UniTasterDays is excellent support for parents, guardians and carers to discuss university choices and future career aspirations with their young people.

David Morgan
Chief Executive, The Career Development Institute

Decisions about studying at University are ever more critical, given the financial as well as the personal investment students and their families are required to make. Evidence consistently shows that parents are one of the most important influencers of the decisions children make about their careers. The Parents’ Guide to University brochure is a valuable resource in ensuring young people are supported in their choice of where and what to study.

Katharine Horler OBE
Executive Director, Careers England

Every parent or carer wants to support their children to make the best decision regarding their future. When it comes to university study this can be difficult, particularly if you have no experience of university.

This excellent guide is packed full of tips and information to help parents navigate the options available. The National Education Opportunities Network (NEON) has no hesitation in recommending this excellent publication which will help parents and carers navigate the options and support their young person to make the right decision. University study can be a transformative experience and open up so many future opportunities. It’s essential reading for anyone who has a young person considering their next educational steps.

Martin Webster
Interim Director, National Education Opportunities Network (NEON)

Written by experts from 75 universities, this year’s UniTasterDays’ Parents’ Guide covers everything you need to know for your child to make their decisions about university - how to work out where and what courses they should apply to; how and when to apply; how to access any support - practical or financial; visiting university events in your area or at one of the chosen universities; and what will be the likely cost and the reasonable repayment terms. You will also find some invaluable information on specific courses and careers; as well as real-life information on what life at university is like.

Despite the messages we continually see in the news that university is too expensive, does not lead to jobs, is just not worth it - degrees do open all sorts of doors. The university experience leads to greater lifetime income, to rewarding careers, and to your child making lifelong friends and maturing into a rounded and informed adult. Studies show that parents are the key influence on their children making a successful transition into higher education. In this Parents’ Guide, experts provide the facts and guidance that parents need in order to give the best advice to their children.

Andrew Rawson
Director, Action on Access; and Founder, Action on Access Information Hub and Email Briefing Service.

A special thanks to the below institutions for their kind contributions: