Helping your young person choose a course and university

By:: University of Bradford
Published: 30 October 2025
Tagged under:: Clearing; Parents and carers

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

A student looking directly at the camera with their hand on their chin

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 student standing in front of a digital display of human body in clinical science department at the University of Bradford

What's next?

Once your young person has narrowed down their choices, they can learn more about 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.

Visit our Open Days page, where your young person find out the date of the next one and can book their place.

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.

Two prospective students at a University of Bradford Open Day smiling and looking at the prospectus

Switching gears

Has your young person thought about what they would do if their results aren't what they expected or they want to try something or somewhere different? Clearing is perfect for changes of heart or circumstances.

Along with their top choices, they could also consider learning more about foundation years, or alternate offers. Planning this out in advance will help them feel more prepared for Results Day and in a better position to make decisions quickly, if they need to. And of course, be there to reassure them that it's okay to change their plan.