What you need to know as a parent, carer or guardian about university application
Applying to university can be overwhelming, for both a child and their parents or carers. We’ve put together some helpful info and answers to common questions below to help both you and your child feel more confident.
Your child can apply for up to 5 courses, so start researching as early as possible to help narrow them down. Help them to prioritise what's important, it could be: course content, uni location, student community, facilities or employability.
Things to consider:
From February onwards, your child can start to apply for student finance. There are two types of loans: Tuition Loans to cover the tuition fees, and Maintenance Loans to cover living costs. These are calculated based on your household income.
You can help your child find out how much they’d get on gov.uk and if they’re eligible for finance grants such as Student Disability Allowance. There are also scholarships, and bursaries awarded to certain students, visit the uni website to see what funds might be available.
At Middlesex, we try to make studying with us affordable for as many people as possible. Ask our Student Welfare team about what help might be available for your child.
Another important decision for your child to make is if they want to live at home, stay in university halls of residence or rented accommodation.
At Middlesex, we have student halls close to our campus in Hendon and in north west London. We guarantee accommodation in halls for all full-time first year undergraduate students.
Your child can also search for private accommodation using Middlesexstudentpad to find local rooms, flats and houses for rent.
Your child will need to apply through UCAS (the University and Colleges Admissions Service). Head to ucas.com for their fantastic range of how-to guides for both parent and child. Once they’ve applied, they can track their applications online, and respond to offers they get.
Join your son or daughter for a visit to our campus and find out if we’re the right match for them. Look around our facilities, meet staff and speak to current students about their experience as students.
It’s great to hear your child has chosen Middlesex University! For all our advice, tips and info, and to find out what happens in the first weeks of university, visit our page for parents and carers of MDX students.
Sign up to our parents and carers newsletter and become a student supporter.
Got a question about your child applying to Middlesex University? You can talk to our team:
Data protection means that we may not always be able to discuss the details of your child's application with you.
UCAS is the organisation responsible for processing applications to UK universities for all undergraduate courses and students.
To help your son or daughter apply to university, it's important to understand how the UCAS application process works:
Head to ucas.com for a parent’s guide to applying to uni.
A conditional offer means your child needs to achieve certain exam grades.
An unconditional offer means your child has met all entry requirements. Some courses might also ask for an interview, portfolio or audition.
If your child applies in January then they should choose their first choice or firm option and their back-up or insurance option in beginning to mid-May. Then they will decline all other offers.
It's a good idea to make an insurance choice that has lower entry requirements or conditions than their firm choice. Your child can also defer their entry to university for a year.
At Middlesex we also consider applications made after January. So if you miss the first deadline it’s worth getting in touch to find out your child’s options
Clearing is an alternative way for your child to find a place at university if they don't have one after they get their exam results. They can apply through Clearing if:
See our guide to what you need to know about Clearing. Your child should start by looking at the range of courses available through Clearing then call us on 0208 411 6565.
For data protection purposes, we must speak directly to students when they are making an application. That means you can’t talk to us on your child's behalf. There are other useful things you can do to help. Before they can make sure they have the following:
Welcome Week and Orientation Week help your child to settle in, meet new people and get to know their course and our support services to prepare them for their first term.
It’s great to hear your child has chosen Middlesex University! For all our advice, tips and info, and to find out what happens in the first weeks of university, visit our page for parents and carers of MDX students.
Sign up to our parents and carers newsletter and become a student supporter.
Before they start with us, your child must read the University's regulations and policies so they know their rights and responsibilities as a Middlesex student.
Now they're on their way to Middlesex!
