Supporting Your Young Person Through University

Here's a simple overview: 

1. Research (Year 12/13) - Your young person explores universities and courses
2. Application (September-January of Year 13) - They apply through UCAS to up to 5 courses. UCAS sets an equal consideration deadline in January, by which all applications are given the same level of priority by universities. We would recommend checking the UCAS website for the most up-to-date date each year.
3. Offers (October-May) - Universities respond with offers (conditional or unconditional)
4. Firm & Insurance Choice (by early May) - Your young person accepts one firm choice and one insurance choice 
5. Results Day (August) - A-level/BTEC results determine if they've met their offer conditions
6. Confirmation or Clearing (August) - Final places are confirmed

For detailed guidance, visit our UK Application Guide.

If your young person has made a mistake on their UCAS application, don’t panic, contact UCAS immediately via their website and let us know by contacting us. Most errors can be corrected, especially if caught early. UCAS has a specific process for amendments, and we can advise on the best course of action.  

Missing the UCAS deadline doesn't mean the door to university is closed. Applications submitted after the main January deadline can still be sent to universities, though popular courses may already be full or have limited places available, and late applications won't receive the same equal consideration as those submitted in January. 

UCAS Extra (Feb-Jun) and Clearing (Jul-Sept) both offer further routes to securing a place, and thousands of students find their course through these pathways each year. 

We'd encourage your young person to get in touch with our Applicant Services team directly, who can advise on whether places are still available and talk them through their options. 

When your young person submits their UCAS application by the main January deadline, it will be considered equally alongside all other applications received by that date, meaning no application is given priority over another based on when it was submitted. After the deadline, universities are no longer obligated to consider applications on the same basis, and popular courses may already be full or have limited places available. 

At Northumbria, we assess all applicants on their academic potential, personal statement, and relevant experience, and we are committed to ensuring no applicant is treated less favourably based on personal characteristics such as age, disability, or ethnicity. 

For detailed information regarding Northumbria Accommodation, visit our accommodation pages.  

Your young person can apply for accommodation once they've firmly accepted Northumbria as their first choice on UCAS.

Our accommodation options are suitable for all courses. Some students prefer to be: 

• Closer to specific campuses if their course is taught mainly in one location
• In a more social environment (larger halls with more communal spaces)
• In quieter accommodation (smaller halls or studio flats)

We recommend:

• Taking a virtual tour of different halls
• Reading student reviews on our accommodation pages
• Considering your young person’s personality and preferences

When booking their accommodation, your young person will be able to select their exact room, and see limited information about other people who have already booked, such as their gender, year of study and the course they’ll be studying. 

Commuting is a popular choice for many Northumbria students, and these students have full access to everything university has to offer, the same as those living on campus.  

For advice and guidance on maximising the experience as a commuting student, visit our Commuter Students page. 

Safety is our top priority. All our accommodations have: 

• 24/7 security presence or CCTV
• Secure entry systems
• Fire safety systems and regular fire drills
• On-site residence life teams
• Emergency contact numbers available 24/7

Newcastle-upon-Tyne is consistently ranked as one of the UK's top student cities - ranked in the Top 10 by Student Crowd 2024 - known for its welcoming atmosphere and vibrant student community. The city has a large student population. Popular student areas such as Jesmond, Heaton, and the city centre benefit from comprehensive safety measures, including university security teams, extensive CCTV coverage, and round-the-clock support services to ensure students feel secure and supported.

We also encourage all students to download the SafeZone app, a free tool that connects them directly to Northumbria's security team whenever they need help on campus. The university's security team monitor SafeZone 24 hours a day. If your young person ever needs assistance, the app sends their name and location directly to the response team, so help can reach them quickly. If they're off campus, it will offer to connect them to the emergency services. It's free to download from the Apple App Store or Google Play. 

Absolutely, parents/guardians are very welcome to come along. We know how big the decision of where to attend university is, and we want everyone to feel they have all the facts up front.

Our team is on hand to answer questions from both prospective students and the parents/guardians who accompany them on the day.

Find out more about what to expect on our Open Days: What to Expect page, including travel and parking information for both our City Campus and Coach Lane Campus. 

On the day of an Open Day, complimentary parking is available at both campuses. For detailed travel and parking information, including public transport options, visit our Open Days: What to Expect page.  

Deferring means delaying the start of their course, usually by one year. If your young person would like to request a deferral of their Northumbria place, they can do so by completing our Request a Change form.  

For more information, visit our Offer Holder Information page or UCAS's deferred entry guidance. 

We know financing university is a big consideration for families, and we want to make sure you have everything you need to plan. Our Tuition Fees, Funding and Scholarships page is the best place to start; it covers undergraduate tuition fees, available funding and scholarships, and other useful financial information including additional costs and how to pay fees. 

If they have any concerns about managing their living costs or expenses visit our Cost-of-Living webpage. 

We  have a dedicated Student Life and Wellbeing service, staffed by friendly, specialist advisors who are here to help whatever their needs.

The support available includes: 

• Accessibility support
• Counselling and mental health support
• Wellbeing and health support
• Financial support
• Spiritual care advice
• International student support
• Student inclusion and success