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This good practice briefing is written for staff working in universities and colleges and supports the introduction of the new UCAS flag to identify students with caring responsibilities from 2023 entry. We have worked with the Carers Trust to outline the common challenges for these students, share examples of good practice being done around the UK to improve access to and success in higher education, and provide considerations ahead of the new question.

Dr Anthony Manning, Director and Dean of Global Lifelong Learning, University of Kent.

If you’re working on your UCAS application or thinking about universities for next year, you might also be wondering where you’ll live if you choose to move away from home for your studies.

You can get student finance to help towards your living costs while you’re at university or college. Content provided by Student Finance England.

You can get student finance to help towards your living costs while you’re at university or college. Content provided by Student Finance England.

You can make some changes to your application yourself, and for others you either contact the universities and colleges, or you contact us.

Every year, thousands of mature students go to university or college. It's a great chance to develop new skills and career options – at any age.

Unibuddy enables prospective students to interact with your current students, allowing them to ask questions and develop a sense of connection with your university or college whilst they do their research.

For students applying to university for 2026 entry, the personal statement format will be changing. Here, we'll cover what exactly is changing, why the changes are happening, and how you can support students.

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.

Get your brand in front of students and their influencers with our Provider Pages. Millions of students come to ucas.com to research their choices – you can put your university or college front and centre from the very start of their journey to higher education.

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.

If your student loan won’t nearly be enough to cover your university costs, check out these extra ways of receiving funds to help with living expenses and tuition fees.

Widening participation aims to support and encourage students whose personal circumstances put them at a disadvantage when pursuing higher education. Universities and colleges offer dedicated scholarships, grants, and bursaries as part of this.

Universities and colleges welcome students from a diverse range of backgrounds and experience.

Universities and colleges welcome students from a diverse range of backgrounds and experience. If you choose to disclose that you are a student with an imprisoned parent it will not negatively impact your application – it gives context to your circumstances.

Try university degrees before you apply. Subject Spotlights from Springpod give you a taste of what it's like to study real subjects delivered by university lecturers and developed in partnership with the universities

Students who have spent time in care are entitled to support with going to university. Here are some practical ways in which you can support care experienced students research their options and prepare for their next step, which we have developed with experts such as the Care Leavers' Covenant, Become, the National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL) and Who Cares? Scotland.

Students can access a variety of support to manage their mental health and wellbeing in higher education - ranging from help with a specific condition through to ways they can look after their general wellbeing. Some students may be hesitant to tell their university, so we've worked with experts (including Student Minds and the University Mental Health Advisers' Network (UMHAN)) to explain the process of declaration to your students, and offer practical ways to help them manage the transition to independence. It's good to remember that other personal circumstances can create additional challenges and stress, so making sure students have the right support for their needs will offer them the best start to university.

Students who have served in the UK Armed Forces as a Regular or Reservist may find there are unique challenges involved in applying to higher education. We have worked with the Ministry of Defence and experts at the University of South Wales to offer practical ways to help them explore their options and prepare for their next step.