Parents and supporters

Guidance, resources and support for parents and supporters of future University of York students.

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alongside Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial (TEF 2023 and THE ranking of the most recent REF 2021)

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The Guardian 2025

Find your peace of mind.

Supporting a young person as they take their next step can feel exciting, daunting and everything in between. At the University of York, we understand that parents, carers and supporters often play a vital role in helping students feel confident about their choices – which is why we’re committed to supporting you too.

York has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence and strong graduate outcomes. But we're also known for our close knit-community, student wellbeing and support. We offer clear, practical guidance at every stage of the journey - from exploring whether university is the right choice, through to settling in and planning for life after graduation.

This page has been designed to give you the reassurance, insight and information you need. Here you’ll find guidance on applications, finance and accommodation, alongside details of the wellbeing, study and careers support available to students once they arrive. Our aim is to help you feel informed and confident, so you can support your young person as they take this exciting next step.

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Supporting your young person

Parents and supporters can often play a vital role in helping young people navigate their university journey. Sometimes the best support is simply listening, offering reassurance and helping them talk through their options rather than having all the answers. Encouraging them to stay organised, meet deadlines, ask for help when they need it and take care of their wellbeing can make a real difference. Just as importantly, giving them space to grow in confidence and independence - while reminding them you’re always there - can help them feel supported.

University life brings lots of new experiences – not just academically, but day-to-day too. Many parents and supporters tell us they worry more about the practical side of independent living. The good news is that small, everyday skills can make a big difference to how confidently students settle in.

Before they arrive, you might encourage your young person to:

Learn how to cook a few simple, budget-friendly meals
Use a washing machine and understand basic laundry care
Manage a weekly budget and keep track of spending
Get used to planning their time and balancing responsibilities

At the University of York, students are supported by a wide range of services - from wellbeing and study support to financial and careers advice - so they’re never expected to manage everything on their own.

We attended an Open Day and everyone at York was so friendly and helpful, which my daughter found really reassuring. She was ecstatic when she got the results she needed for the University of York. My advice is to help your child to navigate through the process, but trust them to make the right choices for themselves. Be there to support your child and help to prepare them by having ideas of other universities and courses in case things don’t work out as expected. My daughter has loved her first year at the University of York and really enjoyed living at Halifax College.

Karen, Parent

Find your clarity

We've pulled together the following FAQs to support you and your young person on their journey to university.

Applications and getting started

How to apply

Once your young person has selected their institution(s) and course(s), then it’s time to apply. UK university applications are handled online through the UCAS system, which will let you apply to up to five courses. Our overview will take you through the application deadlines and steps your young person will take to join us at the University of York.

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?

There are plenty of ways to learn more about us, and for us to get to know you better. Our Open Days and other events are the perfect place to introduce you to life at York, and discuss anything else you need. Our Open Days usually take place in June and September each year.

If you are overseas: we have a number of ways you can explore the university, from online tours, events and drop-in sessions, to online chats with our international support team.

Wherever you are located you can also download our campus tour app, so you can 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 – this may be in person, by post or electronically. Universities are not permitted 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 they have received 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.

Finance and practicalities

What financial support is available for students?

Students can access student loans, bursaries and scholarships, 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. However, student loans are required to be paid back when your student starts working after graduating and is earning over the relevant repayment threshold. You can find out more about student loans and how to apply on the government website.

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

If your household income changes, your young person may be eligible for reassessment of their student finance. We encourage them to contact Student Finance as soon as possible and speak to our financial support teams, who can guide them through the process.

Accommodation and student life

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.

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 cafés and restaurants across our campuses, serving everything from hot meals and international cuisine to lighter options and grab-and-go food. 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.

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

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

Our award-winning facilities are recognised as some of the best in the region, used by elite athletes and national teams. We are 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.

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.

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.

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. The University of York Students' Union has the full lowdown of everything on offer.

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:

living off campus means your young person can stay connected to their community, part-time job, or family commitments.
better manage budgets and living costs, access support and facilities, specifically tailored to make their commuter experience easy and enjoyable,
enjoy use of 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.

Support, wellbeing and safety

What campus safety measures are in place?

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.

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. It is important that you 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. In the first instance, please contact the University of York Student Hub, who can advise on available support and make any necessary arrangements

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

If you are concerned about your young person’s wellbeing, the first point of contact is our Student Hub.

They are 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 they are 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 therefore, we respect their right to privacy. Confidentiality belongs to them; please be aware we are 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.

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

Student support is flexible and based on needs. You will need to discuss your case with one of our Disability Practitioners, who are located in the Student Hub, to determine reasonable adjustment for your young person's course and explore what other support options may be available to them. For example, they might benefit from having a support worker in their lectures, help to meet deadlines, or examination adjustments. 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 whether your young person is eligible for support, how they can access our support, and how we might be able to help. We encourage students to let us know about any additional needs as early as possible, so our specialist teams can put appropriate support in place before they arrive.