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A step by step guide to signing up to UCAS. Students are given this in PD, for this years Buzzword students need to check with their Tutors (again this is given during PD)

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This is a link to a series of videos offering advice to students on results day. Due to the way this resource is shared students need to sign in through their JTHS login

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A guide to the clearing process/what to do if you have no offers

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Find an apprenticeship website (however I do personally prefer UniFrog)

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Register your profile, search vacancies and apply for an apprenticeship - you must be 16 or over

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A pre-recorded webinar on Understanding Apprenticeships

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NavigATE: National Apprenticeship Week Parent and Carer Webinar: Understanding Apprenticeships - Amazing Apprenticeships

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Watch this webinar during National Apprenticeship Week 2026 for parents and carers.

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This is a quick overview of common mistakes students make on their applications. Please check your application for these before submitting

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How to search for a University UniFrog and UCAS website

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How to search for a University UniFrog and UCAS website

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John Taylor High School - Searching for Universities

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This is a link to two videos about choosing University. Due to the way this resource is shared students need to login using their school account

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Link to the Open Day calendar which lists the Open Days coming up

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Browse the Opendays.com calendar of university and college open days

November 2023

Saturday 18 November 2023 open day London

18-Nov Open Day

Do you dream of studying Animation, Games or Visual Effects in London? At Escape Studios, we've been supplying the creative industries with studio-ready talent in these key areas since 2002.

Book your place at our open day on Saturday 18th November, starting at 10:00am or 1:00pm, to:

Explore our brand-new campus on the Greenwich Peninsula

Discover the world of Animation, Games and Visual Effects

Meet our expert tutors and current students

Check out our green screen and motion capture demo

Livestream option available (1:00pm start time only)

Book Now

Saturday 25 November 2023 open day Bedfordshire

25-Nov Open Day

Visit Cranfield University on Saturday 25th November.

It's your opportunity to hear from our academics about taught master's and research degrees and get insight from our current students on what it's like to live and study at Cranfield.

Explore our campus

Visit our world class facilities and

Check out our accommodation options

This is your first step to joining a community of incredible individuals.

Saturday 25 November 2023 open day Lancashire

25-Nov Open Day

p>We have a tradition of inspiring great futures. Experience yours at our Open Day on Saturday 25 November.

Get a feel for campus on a student-led tour.

Meet the staff who will be teaching you.

View our award-winning accommodation.

Experience specialist facilities you'll use on your course.

Learn about fees, funding, and student support.

Meet our students, as well as other potential students - just like you.

If you only plan on attending one open day. Make it Edge Hill.

Book your open day today.

Sunday 26 November 2023 open day Gwynedd

26-Nov Open Day

Discover what Bangor University can offer at an on-campus Open Day on Sunday, 26 November.

On the day you'll have the opportunity to:

Learn more about our courses

Take a tour of our accommodation

Explore our campus

Connect with course leaders and lecturers

Chat to current students and get a real insight into student life

We look forward to welcoming you!

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University open day calendar - use Opendays.com to see all university and college open days by month

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UCAS Find a University Course search tool (although I prefer UniFrog for this)

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Guidance document on how to answer each of the questions. Students are given a lesson on this through PD but this should supplement this and act as a reference guide

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How to use UniFrog to find an apprenticeship

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How to use UniFrog to find an apprenticeship

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John Taylor High School - Searching for Apprenticeships

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This is a link to a series of videos offering advice to students writing their Personal Statements. Due to the way this resource is shared students need to sign in through their JTHS login

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A document talking through how to accept your offers

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A guide to the clearing process/what to do if you have no offers

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Link to online webinars from Cardiff University

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Link to online webinars from Cardiff University

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These webinars include picking a university and Student Finance

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Join our staff and students for live sessions about undergraduate life at Cardiff University.

Discover Cardiff

Discover Cardiff is a free webinar series designed for year 12 and year 13 students who are interested in going to university.

Our Discover Cardiff programme offers a series of talks and advice sessions across a range of topics related to higher education. The sessions are tailored to guide you through the decision-making process - from how to choose a course to what a day in the life of a university student looks like.

Upcoming events

The sessions below will all take place from 17:00 - 18:00.

Applying to Medicine, Dentistry or Healthcare Sciences
A webinar for those looking to study either medicine, dentistry or healthcare sciences in 2025. Get ahead by joining us to find out more about the courses themselves as well as the application process.

22 May 2024

What to do when things don't go to plan...
Sometimes things don't go to plan and that's okay, there are plan Bs. In this webinar, we share information about what to do when you don't quite meet the grade requirements, including details about clearing.

11 June 2024

What can I do over the summer?
Find out what you can do over the summer holidays before the academic year begins. From work experience to put on your statement to visiting potential universities and cities.

27 June 2024

What to expect at a webinar

Our free webinars are the perfect opportunity to get to know Cardiff University if you have missed an on-campus open day or have any further questions about studying with us.

We encourage you to submit any questions you have in advance using the registration form, and we will answer them live on the day. You will also have the opportunity to submit questions during the webinar.

You will be able to see and hear our staff and students, but they will not be able to see or hear you, so you don't need access to a web camera or microphone.

Recorded talks

You can catch up with past events from our webinar series by viewing the event recordings.

Contact

If you have any questions, contact our undergraduate teams.

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Join our staff and students for live sessions about undergraduate life at Cardiff University.

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This document is aimed at teachers but provides a good overview of what to expect from interviews in the medical field

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This is a link to a range of resources from the Medical Schools Council

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Resources for teachers and students - Medical Schools Council

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We offer a wide range of resources to support applicants, teachers, and advisers throughout the medical school application process. From navigating entry requirements to preparing for interviews, all our resources are completely free and sourced directly from medical schools. We offer a wide range of resources to support applicants, teachers, and advisers throughout the medical school application process.

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Link to Student Finance Application

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If you're a student from England you can apply online for the following academic years:

You can apply for:

Tuition Fee Loans

Maintenance Loans

Maintenance Grants (only if your course started before 1 August 2016)

You can apply up to 9 months after the start of the academic year for your course.

If you need help with a further education course at a college or training provider you may be able to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan instead.

The application process is different for students from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Check how to:

on the Student Finance England website

What you need to know

If you cannot use a computer without help but want to apply online, you can contact Student Finance England for help.

EU students

If you're an EU student, how you apply depends on the type of support you want.

If you're applying for tuition fee support and help with living costs, you can apply online.

If you're applying for tuition fee support only, you can download your form and apply by post.

Apply by post

It's best to apply online. If you cannot, use the form finder to download the application forms and guidance notes you'll need.

Problems logging in

You can:

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Apply online for student finance - online applications for student finance including Tuition Fee Loans, Maintenance Loans and Grants.

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A guide for signing up to UniFrog's Talent Pool. This is a programme where students can fill in information about themselves and Apprenticeship providers/University's can reach out to them

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A bank of resources about Apprenticeships, including advice on how to apply

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Webinars & Workshops - Amazing Apprenticeships

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A guide for supporting students in their first year at University and beyond

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Lots of young people hear that going to university will be the "best time of their lives". And it's often true that there will be exciting experiences. But there will probably be difficult moments too, just like at any other time of life.

While young people can feel pressure to have fun all the time, lots of students struggle with mental health issues at some point. It's a time of big change and there's a lot to manage. This includes living away from home, finding new social groups and dealing with academic pressure. The years around Covid have also been really challenging for lots of students.

If your child or young person is having a hard time at the moment, they might be feeling:

anxious or stressed about social situations or their academic work

isolated or homesick

low or depressed - this could be because they're finding it difficult to make friends, or struggling with a lack of structure

pressured to do things they do not enjoy, such as going out, drinking alcohol or taking drugs

Whatever's going on, we've got advice to help you support them. We've also got information about accessing mental health services at university.

How can I support them when they start first year?

If your child or young person is about to start their first year, you're probably both feeling a real mix of emotions. It's a big step. It might feel exciting, but also nerve-wracking and a bit daunting.

Be guided by them in the support you offer during this time. Some young people might be happy to get ready at their own pace. Others might want to work their way through practical things with you.

If your young person has a mental health condition, or a neurodiverse condition like autism or ADHD, they may need some extra support to manage.

To help your child or young person get ready to start, you can:

Give lots of positive encouragement about the exciting experiences they will have. But also let them know it's normal if going through such a big change is hard sometimes, especially to begin with. This will make it easier for them to open up to you if they do find things difficult.

Remind them that they do not need to have it all figured out before they start. They can learn as they go, and you'll still be there on the end of the phone.

Try starting a conversation while you're getting ready for the move, for example when you're shopping or packing. This can make it easier to chat in a more relaxed way. If they are feeling nervous, let them know that's completely normal. Reassure them that everyone will be feeling this way and that everyone's in the same boat.

If they are feeling anxious, ask if there's anything on their mind. They might feel worried about money, making friends or their course. To help them feel prepared, you could:

make a budget together

think about how they would like to meet new people, including any societies they would like to join

look at their course material or reading lists together

learn to cook together

Their student accommodation may also offer to put them in touch with their new flatmates before they arrive, if this is something they would like to do.

If they take medication, encourage them to get a new prescription before they leave home, so they do not have to worry about this to begin with.

Encourage them to register with student support services and a local GP, so they can reach out for help if they need it.

If they would like to, they can set up a student support plan or statement of reasonable adjustments. This outlines how the university will provide support. The student disability advice service can help with this. You can also have a look at the information on the university's website.

They can also apply for Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). Through this, they can get financial support for the things they need to do their course. This might include a note taker or specialist equipment. Or it might be covering the cost of extra travel to attend courses from home.

Most universities ask students to provide contact details for their next of kin. Sometimes they also ask for one or more 'trusted contacts'. A 'trusted contact' is a supportive adult that can be contacted if there are concerns about someone's wellbeing. This does not need to be the same as someone's next of kin. If this is an option, encourage your child or young person to think about who they would like to name.

I was shocked that my reaction felt like grief. It took a long time to lift. He's going into his third year now and it's lovely when he is home, but him being away feels normal.

How can I help them look after their mental health?

If they want to speak over the phone or FaceTime, arrange regular times to check in. When you talk, focus on listening and empathising with what they're going through. It's important to make them feel understood, rather than trying to fix everything straightaway.

If they do not want to speak on the phone, you could:

send supportive messages

chat on Whatsapp or text

send them a card or package to let them know you're thinking of them

ask whether a visit from you or a friend would help

Self-care looks different for everyone. It could be:

going for a walk or a run

doing something creative like drawing or colouring

reading a book

playing sport

listening to audio books, podcasts or music

cooking or baking

It can be easy to stop doing these things when you're living in a new place and there's lots going on. But making time for them can really improve our mood. Your child or young person can use our young person's guide to self-care to get started.

It's common for students to go out and drink alcohol. It can also be a time when some people experiment with drugs. Avoid being cross or judgemental if your child or young person talks to you about this. But be really clear about the risks. Help them to understand that drinking and taking drugs can make existing problems feel worse. If they're struggling at the moment, it might help to cut down on how much they're drinking.

You can find more advice about drugs and alcohol in our guide for parents and carers.

Connecting with a faith space

Some universities have a multi-faith chaplaincy service, where any student (of any faith or none) can talk to someone. They may also run wellbeing activities like meditation or yoga. If your child or young person is feeling lonely, they might like to connect with their local faith community at a local church, mosque or temple too.

How can universities help with mental health?

Most universities provide their own wellbeing and mental health support. This often includes free counselling services. Each university has its own system for doing this. Have a look around their website to find out what's available. The section on student wellbeing is a good place to start. You can also use Student Space (run by Student Minds) to search for wellbeing services where your child is studying.

Some young people feel nervous about asking for help. If this is the case, encourage your child or young person to speak to whoever they feel most comfortable with. They can reach out to:

their personal tutor

a wellbeing advisor or officer, or the university's wellbeing service

the residential life or pastoral support teams in their student accommodation

the university's counselling service

a GP

These people can help by having an initial chat with your child or young person about how they're feeling. They can:

provide information about what support is available

tell them how they can access counselling and wellbeing services

help them manage their academic work, including getting extensions on deadlines

Wellbeing advisors may also offer other types of support. This can include a listening service, drop-in sessions and self-help strategies.

A counsellor or therapist can help your child or young person to make sense of how they're feeling. They can provide emotional support, be there to listen and help them find ways of coping.

Your child or young person may be able to access free counselling at:
The university's counselling service
Most universities provide a free counselling service to students. Your child or young person will usually be able to self-refer to this service. You can find out how they can access counselling by going to the university's website. Or you can call the main contact number and ask for information about this.
An NHS counselling service
If your child or young person is 18 or older and they live in England, they can refer themselves to their local NHS service for free talking therapy. They can use the NHS directory to find services near them. They do not need a referral from a GP to access therapy, but they need to be registered with a GP to use the service.

If they live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, they can get a referral for NHS counselling services through a GP.

You can find advice about other types of counselling services, including private services, in our guide for parents and carers.

It's important that your child or young person registers with a GP while they're a student. This means they can access help for both mental and physical health problems during term-time. Most universities have their own health or medical centre/clinic. Or they can register with any other GP surgery in the town where they are studying.

The GP can:

talk to your child or young person about how they're feeling

support them to access counselling and wellbeing services

discuss medication options if this is something they want to talk about

refer them for specialist support if needed

You can find more information about GPs in our guide for parents and carers.

Two common barriers that prevent students from asking for help at university are feeling that their needs are 'not serious enough', and thinking the waiting list will be too long. Reassure your child that university support services are designed to help students with a whole spectrum of different needs, and that it's a good thing to address concerns early before they become more severe. Even if there's a bit of a wait, it's better to be on the list and moving forwards than to not be on the list at all.

Adrian, Student Health and Wellbeing Manager and Warden

Who can I speak to at the university?

Universities will usually only share information about a student's health or wellbeing with other people if they are concerned about their safety. Or, if they have the student's direct and explicit consent to do so.

If you can, it's best to encourage your child or young person to seek help themselves. But if you're worried and they are not getting help, you may be able to use an online form to let the university know what's happening. You can usually find this on the wellbeing section of their website.

You can also contact their personal tutor. They will not be able to discuss anything your child or young person has told them unless they are concerned about their safety. But they can signpost you to support services. It can also help for them to be aware that there's a problem.

If you are having trouble contacting someone, you can call the university's main telephone number and ask who you should speak to. If you are really concerned about your child or young person's mental health, or you are worried they are not safe, get urgent help.

Getting urgent help at university

If you are worried that your child or young person is feeling suicidal, or they are experiencing a mental health crisis, you need to get help.

It can be incredibly upsetting when your child or young person is going through difficult mental health problems and they're far away. Trust your instincts about the situation and get urgent help if you feel it's needed.

call 999 or take them to the nearest A&E

If you are not with them, you can:

call 999 on their behalf

ask if someone who is with them can call 999 or take them to A&E

encourage them to call 999 or go to A&E themselves

Call NHS 111 for urgent information and advice, or use 111 online. 111 can tell you where you can get help. They may also be able to put you through to a trained mental health professional. You can call this number 24/7 in England, Wales and Scotland.

Encourage them to make an urgent on-the-day GP appointment, or take them to a GP appointment if you're with them.

For more information and advice about suicidal thoughts, have a look at our guide for parents and carers.

In the middle of February, he came home for a week. We were alarmed by the look of him. He was pale, sad, hunched over and mumbling.

Useful helplines and websites

This page was reviewed in January 2024. It was created with parents and carers with lived experience of supporting their child or young person at university. We will next review the page in 2027. YoungMinds is a proud member of PIF TICK - the UK's quality mark for trusted health information.
Whether you love the page or think something is missing, we appreciate your feedback. It all helps us to support more young people with their mental health.

Please be aware that this form isn't a mental health support service. If your child is in crisis right now and you want to talk to someone urgently, find out who to contact on our urgent help page.

At YoungMinds we take your privacy seriously. If you'd like to read more about how we keep the information we collect safe, take a look at our privacy policy.

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University and mental health | Advice for parents

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Find out how you can support your young person if they're struggling with their mental health at university, and how the university can help.

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A guide to support Students with their Apprenticeship Applications

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A guide to Apprenticeship Interviews

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Top tips for Apprenticeship interviews

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How to prepare for an apprenticeship interview

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Interviews can be daunting, but preparation is key! Here’s how to prepare for an apprenticeship interview, and what to do on the day.

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Video about preparing for an interview

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This is a link to a video offering advice to Medical applicants. Due to the way this resource is shared students need to sign in through their JTHS login

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This is a link to two videos offering advice to students applying to Oxbridge, this includes interview technique. Due to the way this resource is shared students need to sign in through their JTHS login

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Video supporting students writing their CV's

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This is a link to a series of videos offering advice to students applying for Apprenticeships. Due to the way this resource is shared students need to sign in through their JTHS login

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This is a link to a series of videos offering guidance to students transitioning into University. Due to the way this resource is shared students need to sign in through their JTHS login

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This is a link to a series of documents for different subjects outlining suggested activities they can do outside of their studies to strengthen their applications. Due to the way this resource is shared Students need to access it using their school login details

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Link to sign up to Sutton Trust Summer Schools

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Applications for UK Summer Schools 2023 are now closed, but will reopen in January of 2024.

Register your interest for 2024.

Applications are now closed for 2023 UK Summer School programmes. Register your interest for 2024!

What can you do at a Sutton Trust UK Summer School?

Experience university life

Spend a week at one of our 13 partner universities attending lectures, living in a dorm, networking with professors and administrators, and immersing yourself in university life.

Our Summer Schools are completely free so you can get to know your chosen university, no matter where in the country you're from.

Explore one of 40 subjects at a leading institution

Explore one of 40 subjects at a leading institution

Explore academic taster sessions in your chosen subject. Choose from over 40 different courses, from Archaeology and Anthropology to Veterinary Medicine. With over 15 hours of teaching at undergraduate level, you will get the chance to explore the subjects that you are passionate about.

Going beyond the school curriculum, your academic sessions will provide you with a valuable experience to use in your personal statement.

Receive university application support

Receive university application support

You will take part in workshops that will help you navigate UCAS and write the best personal statement possible. You will find out about how to apply for student finance, the availability of bursaries and how to manage your money whilst at university.

Access Sutton Trust Online

Get advice from current undergraduate students, additional guidance for UCAS applications and more through our new digital platform Sutton Trust Online

What will you get out of a Sutton Trust UK Summer School?

Essential Life Skills

Throughout your week, you will have the chance to develop essential life skills. Such as:

Networking

Professional and Personal Confidence

Personal and Financial Independence

Presenting

Access our Alumni Platform

Once you graduate from a Sutton Trust programme, you will become a member of our alumni community. Sutton Trust Alumni is the online home of the alumni community. Here you can create connections, access support and inspire change. With more than 3,500 alumni already active in the community, you can get advice from alums studying and working in areas you are interested in. You'll also gain exclusive access to events, career opportunities and ways to stay involved with our work.

Meet new people

You will take part in a range of social activities, designed to help you make friends with other students on the Summer School and unwind after jam-packed days!

Depending on your programme, these will range from tours to karaoke to university societies to film nights.

Get contextual admission

The Sutton Trust believes that contextual admissions - where the background of a university applicant is taken into account as part of the admissions process - is a crucial tool for widening access to higher education. This can include giving students from underrepresented backgrounds reduced grade offers, guaranteed interviews or extra consideration. Some of our partner universities may provide contextual offers to students who have completed a Sutton Trust summer school. See the table on this page for more details.

Find out if a Sutton Trust UK Summer School is right for you

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Register your interest for 2024. Applications are now closed for 2023 UK Summer School programmes. Register your interest for 2024! What can you do at a Sutton Trust UK Summer School? Spend a week at one of our 13 partner universities attending lectures, living in a dorm, networking with professors and administrators, and immersing yourself in university life.

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John Taylor High School - Finding Scholarships

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A video of how to utilise a range of functions on UniFrog

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John Taylor High School - Navigating Unifrog

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Video on how to find helpful guides on UniFrog

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John Taylor High School - Accessing additional guides on Unifrog

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We've been out and about asking students how they're feeling about the big day and grilling those who've been there for their top advice. Our experts explain how Clearing really works, what to do if you change your mind, and how to prepare for uni life.

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Discover what to do on results day, what Clearing is and how it works, and see how to navigate your next steps.

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Top tips for calling universities during Clearing

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Clearing is how unis and colleges fill any spaces they have left on their courses.