The Parents Guide to University

The Parents’ Guide to University 2025 will help you support the young people in your life to make an informed choice about university. It includes articles to guide them in deciding whether university is right for them, what they should study, and where they should study it.

Contributions have been provided by over 75 university representatives from across the UK, along with expert voices from outside the sector, including Martin Lewis from MoneySavingExpert.com. The guide is supported by HELOA, a membership group for university advisers.

It is divided into sections to support you and your young person through every stage of the university journey. These include researching options, attending events, financing studies, applying, and preparing for university life.

This year, mindful of the cost-of-living crisis, several articles are designed to help your young people overcome financial difficulty. You’ll learn how to explore universities on a budget, secure "free money" to fund their student experience, manage finances at university, secure a part-time job, and consider more affordable options like studying online.

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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

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.