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The practical next steps after your child accepts a university place
The hard work has paid off, results are in the bag, and your child has secured a place. Now what?
Clementine Wade, university and school coach, has worked as a teacher, examiner and uni coach since 2005. She specialises in Key Stage 5 qualifications and super selective universities. Clem's created guidance to help you understand results day and Clearing, and get to grips with what you should be doing when to best support your child through the process.
Whilst each university and college has slightly different timelines, a comprehensive onboarding process begins, from results day to enrolment.
So, let’s lift the lid on what happens and what needs to be done between results day and Freshers’ Week (sometimes referred to as ‘Welcome Week’).
After confirmation
48 hours after confirmation
University communications begin:
Welcome email from the chosen university or college
Link to student portals and online systems with registration instructions
NB, it’s really important to ensure students add the university email address to their contact list to ensure important, time sensitive emails don’t get lost to spam.
Week 1-2
Administrative setup:
Student ID number allocation
University email address creation
Access to course-specific information and reading lists
Module selection guidance (if applicable for the course)
Accommodation process accelerates:
If accommodation hasn’t been applied for, students will receive priority guidance
Accommodation contracts and guarantor forms sent out
Room allocation process begins (if already applied)
Financial next steps:
Student Finance confirmation updates
University fee payment schedules sent
Information about student bank accounts and required documentation
Bursary and scholarship notifications (if applicable)
Before enrolment
Practical preparations:
Enrolment appointment scheduling
Health services registration information
Library and learning resource access setup
Campus orientation and Freshers' Week details
Travel and parking information for your specific campus
Social introductions begin:
Access to course-specific WhatsApp groups or forums
Information about societies and clubs
Freshers' Week activity schedules
Buddy system or peer mentor introductions
So now we know what happens when, here is a student checklist to ensure every box is ticked.
Student checklist
Financial checklist:
Research and compare student bank accounts by checking overdraft limits and comparing perks. Some banks won’t accept status codes from UCAS until students have a confirmed place.
Apply for student bank account.
Apply for scholarships/bursaries/grants from universities, charities, or trusts. See The Scholarship Hub website for comprehensive information.
Set up direct debits (phone, accommodation, etc).
Apply for student railcard.
Sign up for money saving apps to get discounted travel, food and drink, cheap days out and cinema tickets, and discount codes for online and in-store shopping
Create a budget with a contingency and set up low balance alerts on your bank account.
Confirm all payments are scheduled correctly.
Financial checklist for students who’ve changed their university/college or course
Students who’ve changed their university or college choice must immediately do the following, before they can start the process we ran through earlier:
Check new university/college tuition fees
Confirm accommodation costs and apply
Update student finance about any course/university change
If applying later, students might get a smaller amount to begin with, but Student Finance will update their entitlement and send a top up payment as soon as they process student household income details.
Practical checklist:
Save university email in student contacts
Read and respond to urgent university/college communication
Register with the many institution’s portals
Upload required documentation and photo ID
Find a local GP practice
Complete NHS registration forms*
Transfer prescriptions from current GP if taking regular medication
Compete IT service registration for WiFi and email*
Set up university email on your phone or establish email forwarding
*These might be a few actions that students must take when actually at university, but they are really worth preparing beforehand.
Pro tips:
Create a dedicated university email folder on your phone/ laptop/email.
Ensure contact details are correct and the SAME name and email is used for everything.
Accommodation checklist:
Research accommodation options (considering location, budget, special access needs, and flexibility)
Select your top (often three) housing preferences
Pay accommodation deposit
Check and screenshot accommodation payment dates
Complete registration forms
Confirm move in date and time
Arrange contents insurance if desired (which can sometimes be added as an extra to family home insurance)
Check what is and is not allowed RE decorations!
Plan transport for move-in day - book train tickets early to save money or organise the parent taxi
Academic checklist:
Download reading list and required apps
Check required textbooks and don’t forget to check second-hand sellers and any local bookshops or book sales from students in the year above for money-saving options
Create a preparation timetable
Get familiarised with the Virtual Learning Environment like Blackboard or Moodle
Download term dates
Research course modules
Record key academic milestones/assessment dates
Prepare resources (eg does your child's laptop have enough storage? Have they downloaded the required apps?)
Social checklist:
Join course/university social media groups
Register for Freshers’ Week events
Sign up for university societies
Get familiarised with the campus, highlighting key buildings
Pro tip: Suggest your child creates or updates their LinkedIn profile. Whilst this might not feel so much about university preparation, it’s an important routine to get into the habit of for employability, networking, and accessing internships.
Red flags: Make contact immediately if...
You haven’t heard anything from the institution
Student Finance status shows errors or unexpected changes
No accommodation confirmation has been received
Student Finance: Either make contact via your child's application or check this page to find the relevant contact details.
Accommodation enquiries: Contact your child's institution’s accommodation team.
Academic enquiries: Contact your child's institution’s admissions tutor/team or department.
Social/emotional enquiries: Contact your child's institution’s student services team or Student Union Advice Centre.
Your pocket careers adviser: Results day and Clearing support
We've worked with university and school coach, Clementine Wade, to create articles, videos, and email tips to help you understand results day and Clearing, and get to grips with what you should be doing when to best support your child through the process.