A guide to university for parents and supporters

How to apply

Once your young person has chosen what and where they want to study, it’s time to apply.

UK university applications are handled online through UCAS. When applying, they will be able to choose up to five courses.

• Read our guide for full details on how to apply to university

What is an insurance choice?

An insurance choice is a back-up university option that your young person selects alongside their firm choice.

If they don’t meet the conditions of their firm offer, the insurance choice may still accept them, provided they meet its entry requirements.

It offers reassurance by giving students an alternative confirmed route to university if exam results don’t go as planned.

Are we able to visit the campus?

You can visit our campus anytime you want.

Our Open Days and other events are the best way to discover what life at York is like. Our Open Days usually take place in June and September each year, but we hold other events throughout the year.

If you don't like in the UK we run a number of events for people who live overseas, from online tours, events and drop-in sessions, to online chats with our international support team.

Wherever you live you can also download our campus tour app. You can use this to take a guided tour of campus whenever you want, or explore our city and campus from the comfort of your own home.

What happens on results day?

Your young person will receive their results from their school or college - his may be in person, by post or electronically. Universities are not allowed to disclose results to applicants.

If they meet the offer conditions for their firm choice, they will be accepted and this will show in their UCAS Hub as confirmed.

If they miss the firm conditions but meet the requirements for their insurance university, that university will become their confirmed choice instead.

If the insurance university cannot accept their grades either, they will either:

• have an ‘unconditional place with substantial changes to your original choice’ which means their firm or insurance choice have offered a change to the course, start date or point of entry, or
• enter UCAS Clearing.

Accepting an offer

Offers are accepted through UCAS.

Once your young person receives their exam results, and they’ve chosen York as their firm or insurance choice, we’ll guide them through the next steps, including accommodation and enrolment.

What financial support is available for students?

Students can access student loans, scholarships and bursaries, as well as budgeting advice and financial wellbeing support throughout their studies.

Scholarships and bursaries are financial awards to help towards students' study and living costs, which don't need to be paid back.

Student loans need to be paid back when your student starts working after graduating and is earning over the relevant repayment threshold.

• Learn more about fees and funding

What happens if my household income changes while my young person is at university?

If your household income changes you should contact Student Finance as soon as possible and speak to our financial support teams.

Your student may be eligible for reassessment of their student finance and we can help guide them through the process. 

Is accommodation guaranteed for first-year students?

We aim to offer accommodation to all eligible first-year undergraduate students who meet the criteria and apply by the deadline.

• Explore our accommodation

What food and drink options are available on campus?

The University of York offers a wide range of food and drink options across campus to suit different tastes, budgets and dietary needs.

Students can choose from over 10 cafes and restaurants across our campuses, serving everything from hot meals and international cuisine to lighter options and grab-and-go food.

• Discover our on-campus catering options

Many accommodation options also include catering or easy access to shared kitchens, giving students the flexibility to mix cooking for themselves with eating on campus.

With clear dietary information and vegetarian, vegan and allergen-aware options available, students can find food that works for them throughout the day.

• Learn about catered accommodation

Are there sports and fitness facilities available to my young person while studying?

Whether they're a sporting super fan, a fitness fanatic, or just looking to socialise and keep active, our student sports clubs and facilities have them covered.

We're proud to offer two state-of-the-art gyms, floodlit 3G pitches, a competition-standard pool, squash and tennis courts, cycling track, an athletics stadium, a strength and conditioning suite and 39 acres of grass playing fields. Our award-winning facilities are recognised as some of the best in the region, used by elite athletes and national teams. 

Roses is the legendary annual sporting competition between Lancaster University and the University of York. What began as a boat race in 1965 has grown into the largest inter-varsity tournament in Europe, now hosting over 140 fixtures in just one weekend. Thousands of students take part, cheered on by packed crowds and live coverage from student media teams streaming, broadcasting and reporting the action.

• Discover our sports facilities and societies

Can students work part time alongside their studies?

Many students choose to work part-time, including in York’s vibrant tourism and hospitality sector. We support students to balance work with their academic commitments.

Handshake is our careers platform for current University of York students, and graduates of the University of York. Your young person can use this platform to look for part-time jobs, graduate jobs, internships and placement years, and volunteering opportunities.

• Discover the options your student will have to earn while they learn

How will my young person make new friends?

Students often start by getting to know the people they live and study with, such as flatmates in accommodation and course mates in seminars and group work.

Societies and clubs are also a great way to meet others and build skills. Each and every society or club is run by students, for students. There are over 300 to get stuck into at the University of York, and we're always happy to welcome new ones.

• Get to know the University of York Students' Union

What if my young person wants to live at home or commute?

With a world-class university on your doorstep, why move away? Here at York we have hundreds of students who commute to campus and thrive within a university experience that works for them.

Being a local or commuting student brings a variety of different advantages:

• stay connected to their community, part-time job, or family commitments
• better manage budgets and living costs
• access support and facilities specifically tailored to improve their university experience
• use our on-site parking, lockers, food and drink venues and gyms in between or after lectures.

If your young person meets the criteria, they may be eligible for a guaranteed offer or interview. You can use our postcode checker to see if your home address is eligible for our commuter offer. We're also offering a £250 Undergraduate Commuter Award for applicants starting in the 2027/28 academic year.

• Find out more about living at home and commuting to university

What safety measures are in place on campus?

Our campus is a safe community. To help keep it this way, our Campus Safety team is available 24/7, both virtually and at key reception points on campus.

Our Campus Safety team supports everyone who lives, studies or works at the University, with a 24-hour presence coordinated through the Campus Safety Hub at Market Square on Campus West.

The team is the students' first point of contact for any security or safety issues. All members of the team are trained in first aid and mental-health first aid.

In this video, Karl shares a little bit more about how the team support students on campus. 

How does the University support student wellbeing and mental health?

We provide a wide range of wellbeing services, including mental health support, counselling, TalkCampus, and dedicated support teams who are available throughout the academic year.

Let us know ahead of time if your young person has any specific or additional wellbeing needs, so that appropriate support can be put in place before they arrive. Contact our Student Hub who will be able to advise on the available support and make any arrangements.

• Learn more about what support is available for York students

Who should I contact if I’m worried about my young person?

Contact is our Student Support Team if you're concerned about your young person’s wellbeing. 

They're trained to respond to concerns about student wellbeing and can:

• assess the situation
• check whether the student is already receiving support
• advise on appropriate next steps
• escalate concerns where necessary.

Parents and supporters can raise concerns directly, even if you're unsure whether the student has sought help themselves.

Although academic tutors are not emergency or crisis contacts, they can also help to:

• check in with students who may be struggling
• provide academic flexibility where appropriate
• signpost students to wellbeing or specialist support services

For urgent wellbeing concerns, the Student Support team is the most appropriate first contact.

Students are welcomed to York as adults and we respect their right to privacy. We are therefore unable to share any of their information without their consent.

What happens if my young person falls behind with their studies?

Our Student Hub is available to help students develop academic skills, manage workloads and regain confidence if they’re struggling.

Our Support to Study procedure is designed to enable us to work with individual students to provide an appropriate and coordinated response to any concerns such as health, safety, behaviour or wellbeing, and to support them to succeed in their academic goals.

• Learn more about Support to Study

What support is available if my young person has additional needs?

Student support is flexible and based on needs.

You'll need to discuss your student's case with one of our Disability Practitioners, who are located in the Student Hub. They will help to determine reasonable adjustment for your young person's course and explore what other support options may be available. The earlier you can let us know about any additional needs, the better, so our specialist teams can put appropriate support in place before they arrive.

They may also be eligible for Disabled Students' Allowances, which can contribute towards the cost of useful technologies and other aids to help with their studies.

• Find out more about accessing support at York