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Helping your young person choose a course and university
 Bradford Life Blog

Information for parents and carers about how they can help and support their young person while they choose a university course.

Choosing what and where to study is a huge decision for your young person. 

Whether they are applying during the main application cycle or finding their place through Clearing, there’s a lot to think about.

If they need your advice or guidance, we suggest sitting together and discussing the following topics and questions to spark ideas. 

Be encouraging and supportive of their choices. Remember, you're there to support them, not to make decisions for them. 

1. Interests

  • What do they enjoy studying at school or college?
  • What do they enjoy doing in their spare time?
  • What are they passionate about?
  • What careers might they be interested in? 

2. Location

  • Do they already have a dream university picked out?
  • Do they want to study close to home, or move away?
  • If they have a specific course in mind, which universities offer it?
  • Would they like to study at a small, mid-sized or large university?
  • Do they want to be in a large city or somewhere smaller?

3. Type of degree

  • Would they like to do a typical three-year undergraduate degree or do they want to include a sandwich year or work placement?
  • Have they considered an Integrated Master’s degree, which combines undergraduate and postgraduate study into a four-year course?

4. Teaching and assessment 

  • Do they like independent study and research?
  • Are they looking for a more hands-on, practical approach?

5. Entry requirements

  • Do they meet the entry requirements for the course or courses they are interested in? 

6. Career prospects

  • Would they like to study a course that has a clearly defined career path and job options?
  • Do they want a course with flexibility to give them more options and time to figure out their career path?

A person sitting at a desk typing on a computer keyboard and looking at computer monitor

What's next? 

Once your young person has narrowed down their choices, they can learn more the courses and universities they’re interested in.

Online

Our website has comprehensive course pages, information about student life at University of Bradford, and Clearing resources. Our Enquiries team is available to answer your young person’s questions about Clearing or studying at Bradford.

Email enquiries@bradford.ac.uk

In person

Our Open Days give your young person the perfect opportunity to chat with student ambassadors, speak to lecturers, explore our campus and accommodation, learn about types of support services we offer, ask questions about career routes available through different courses, and meet our Outreach and Recruitment Team.

Our next Open Day will be on Saturday 29 June. Your young person can book their place and view the schedule to explore the various subject talks and tours on offer.  

Ask your young person if they would like you to join them at our Open Day or if they prefer to go alone. If you do attend together, you can discuss their options with them from an informed point of view. 

A prospective student at an Open Day speaking to a staff member while other attendees are in the background

We're here to help

Our Clearing content for parents or carers can help you provide the best support to the young person or people in your care. We’ll help you with your research, planning and preparations for Results Day and Clearing.

Got a question about Clearing?

Our Enquiries Team is here to help.

They can answer any queries you have about Clearing or studying at the University of Bradford. 

Email enquiries@bradford.ac.uk