University 101: A parent’s guide to university and college terms

I appreciate that at every stage of your child’s education, acronyms abound, and it might feel like you need a PhD to understand their homework. Nowhere is this truer than the university application, and the Confirmation and Clearing process. Or at least, not until now. 

Here is my glossary of key terms, as nothing says “supportive parent” quite like being able to explain the difference between UCAS Extra and Clearing Plus.  

Reviewing the basics 

The application process in the UK begins with UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service), the centralised system through which applications for undergraduate courses are processed. An undergraduate degree is the first level of university study, typically leading to qualifications such as a BA (Bachelor of Arts) or BSc (Bachelor of Science). 

Various types of courses include foundation degrees (offering an extra preparation year), degrees with a year in industry (providing valuable work experience), or programs featuring a year abroad (offering international experience and often language immersion). Students will usually choose the first year as point of entry, but others will select foundation year or year 2/3 if transferring from another programme or course.  

The application  

Students apply to universities and colleges by completing a UCAS form, of which the personal statement — a one-page essay demonstrating subject passion and suitability— is at its heart. For 2026 entry, the personal statement is changing to three questions for students to answer rather than one long piece of writing. Admissions tutors are particularly impressed by super-curricular activities, which can be anything from reading to projects or competitions that illustrate commitment.  

Suppose your child needs you or another family member to act on their behalf during any part of the application. In that case, they must enter your or the family member’s details as nominated access to enable that.  

Before sitting exams, schools provide predicted grades as an estimate of your child’s likely achievement. Students then select five appropriate courses whereby their predicted grades match the institutions’ UCAS tariff points (a numerical value assigned to qualifications). 

Each institution and course will have their own admissions assessment to evaluate every candidate academically (ranging from admission tests to interviews) as well as different contextual or widening participation factors (contextual offers help people from all sorts of different backgrounds to progress to higher education). Institutions will send out offers by early May (though this can be extended for students who apply after the January equal consideration deadline). 

Check your understanding, identifying which of these statements, if any, is true: 

1. Students always apply to a foundation year. 
2. Students applying in their final year will apply before receiving their results. 
3. Students can’t apply after the January equal access deadline. 

See quiz answers

Before results day 

Universities make either conditional offers (dependent on achieving certain grades) or unconditional offers (guaranteeing a place regardless of final results). Once students receive replies from all institutions they have applied to, they must select a firm choice (their preferred university) and an insurance choice (a backup with typically lower entry requirements) before committing to revision and exams. 

UCAS Extra provides an opportunity for students who don’t receive any offers to apply for additional courses one at a time, giving students another chance to secure a place at university before Clearing begins. 

On results day 

Results day, as it says on the tin, is the day results are released to students. For Scotland, this is 5 July, and for the rest of the UK, it’s 14 August. Whilst each school operates a different process for this, UCAS will update the morning of results day to show whether a student has been accepted by your chosen universities. 

If students meet the conditions of their firm choice, their place will be confirmed. If not, but they meet their insurance conditions, they'll be accepted there instead. In some instances, an offer for a different course may be suggested. If neither condition is met, or if they have done better or have just changed their mind, don't worry; this is where Clearing comes in. 

Clearing 

Clearing allows students to apply to courses that still have spaces. Students use Clearing for several reasons; students may have changed their minds about their course or place of study, or they may have missed their grades or done better than expected. Clearing officially opens in early July and closes at the end of October, however, results day is the busiest day. Clearing, as useful as it is, is not, however something to rush into, but requires prior research, conversations and planning. Read more about Clearing here. Clearing Plus is a service that makes this process even smoother by suggesting matches based on a student’s application profile, preferences, and grades. 

When entering Clearing, either automatically or by declining their offers, students will receive a Clearing ID number that universities and colleges will ask for to enable them to see the student’s application details. Institutions may ask for transcripts (detailed breakdowns of qualifications) and if students are making a very different course choice, they might be required to submit a new personal statement or even attend an interview. 

If your child secures a place but wishes to postpone their entry, students can request a deferral to the following year, though this is at the university or college’s discretion.  

Check your understanding, identifying which, if any, of these statements is true: 

1. Students can apply to university right up until mid-October. 
2. Clearing is only available for those who did less well than expected. 
3. Results day is the only time a student can apply to Clearing. 

See quiz answers

Finance 

Tuition fees cover the cost of university or college education, and the fees vary depending on your status (home/international) and institution and are paid directly to the university or college. England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland all have their own student finance bodies, but all work on the same premise that repayment doesn’t start until your child is earning above a certain threshold after graduation. 

The maintenance loan, however, is means-tested and based on household income. The loan is paid directly to the student in termly instalments to cover accommodation, food, books, and other essentials. 

Many universities and colleges offer additional financial support that doesn’t need to be repaid in the form of bursaries (usually based on financial need) or scholarships (usually merit-based, awarded for academic, sporting, or other achievements).  

Securing a place to live 

Many institutions offer an accommodation guarantee for first-year students who apply by a specified deadline. However, when applying through Clearing, students must check the accommodation offer before accepting a place, as housing might not be available.  

Check your understanding, identifying which, if any, of these statements is true: 

1. Accommodation is guaranteed for all first-year students. 
2. Student loans are means-tested. 
3. Bursaries are only available for high attainers. 

See quiz answers

So those are the key terms that every student and family going through this process needs to know and understand.    

Check your answers below. 

Applying to university

1. Students always apply to a foundation year. False. Students mostly will be applying for a point of entry of first year, but this varies.  
2. Students applying in their final year will apply before receiving their results. True. In the UK, students applying while still at sixth form or college will be applying with predicted grades not actual results. 
3. Students can’t apply after the January equal access deadline. False. Students can apply to university right up until 20 October via Clearing. 

Confirming your place

1. Students can apply to university right up until mid-October. True. UCAS Extra opens mid-February and Clearing opens early July each year and closes mid-October. 
2. Clearing is only available for those who did less well than expected. False. Clearing is also for students who did better than expected or who have changed their mind. 
3. Results day is the only time a student can apply to Clearing. False. Students can start applying for alternatives when UCAS Extra opens in February, right up until mid-October.  

Sorting the practicalities

1. Accommodation is guaranteed for all first-year students. False (and a dangerous misconception). Please ensure you and your child check what the institution has to offer and what their deadlines are.  
2. Student loans are means-tested. False. Student loans are universal. Maintenance loans are, however, means tested. 
3. Bursaries are only available for high attainers. False. Bursaries are usually offered to students based on financial and other contextual eligibility.  

7+ =  A*! You are your child’s secret weapon. 

5+ = Good effort! Keep up the good work, and together, you will be able to navigate this time with minimal drama. 

2+ = Shows promise! Read over these key terms and you will get those basics down.