📌 Welcome to the Parents, Carers, Agents and Teachers Thread

If your student is applying to university from overseas, scholarships can make a real difference — and some offers are more than just a “nice-to-have.”

For example, if your student gets top grades (AAA or international equivalent) at admission, your student may automatically qualify for a scholarship that reduces their first-year tuition fees by a fixed amount, for further information read here: University of Nottingham

That kind of support can mean more flexibility — less pressure straight away, maybe more money for student life, or easier settling-in (accommodation, travel, social stuff, etc.). And for many, that helps make the UK degree a better value proposition.

Key advantages of excellence-style scholarships:

If your student has already been awarded an Excellence-style scholarship (or are applying for one), what difference do you think it will make? And for those still applying: any questions about eligibility or value?

As the UCAS deadline approaches, many parents, teachers and advisers are helping students with final checks — and it can feel like a lot to manage at once.
Here’s a simple, calm checklist to support students without adding extra pressure:

✓ Course choices

✓ Personal statement (important change this year)

✓ Predicted grades & reference

✓ Application accuracy

✓ English language requirements (for international students)

✓ After submission

If you’re supporting a student who’s feeling overwhelmed at this stage, reassurance and structure often help more than last-minute changes.

IMPORTANT: If the student misses the deadline, they can still apply through UCAS after January, and later via UCAS Extra or Clearing; it just means some courses may have fewer places available.

Hi everyone 👋

If you’re advising students (particularly from China and other international markets) on UK Master’s options, employability and institutional reputation are often key decision factors — alongside academic quality and student support.

We’re pleased to share that Nottingham has once again been ranked 3rd in the UK for being most targeted by leading graduate employers in the 2026 High Fliers Research survey.

In practical terms, this means major graduate employers consistently return to Nottingham when recruiting. It reflects not just brand recognition, but confidence in the skills, adaptability and global outlook our graduates demonstrate year after year.

For many families and advisers we speak to in China, common questions include:

This recognition provides an additional indicator of employer confidence in Nottingham graduates within a competitive UK landscape.

For those currently supporting students through decision-making, our upcoming Master’s Virtual Open Days offer a practical opportunity to explore courses, speak directly with academic teams, and understand more about student support and career development.

Upcoming dates:
• Saturday 14 February
• Saturday 14 March
• Saturday 11 April
• Saturday 9 May

These sessions are accessible internationally and can be helpful for families and advisers who want reassurance beyond prospectuses and rankings.

If you’re a parent, teacher or agent with specific questions about postgraduate study, employability, or support for international students, please feel free to post below — we’re happy to provide further guidance.

#UoNOfficialRep

Hi everyone 👋

At this stage in the cycle, some students may find themselves in the position of having used all five UCAS choices and not holding any offers. Understandably, this can cause concern for families and advisers.

It’s important to know that this does not mean the process is over.

One structured option available before Clearing is UCAS Extra.


What is UCAS Extra?

UCAS Extra allows eligible applicants to add one additional course choice at a time, provided they:
• have used all five initial choices
• and are not holding any offers

Universities then consider the new choice in the usual way. If an offer is made and accepted, the student secures their place. If not, they are able to add another choice.

Who is UCAS Extra suitable for?

It can be particularly helpful for students who:

This route is available to both UK and international applicants who have applied via UCAS and meet the eligibility criteria.


Why this matters for advisers and families

UCAS Extra provides a more measured and less pressured opportunity to secure a place before the summer Clearing period. It allows time for reflection, discussion and informed decision-making.

If you are currently supporting a student in this situation and would like guidance on possible next steps, timelines, or how to assess course suitability, please feel free to post below.

We’re happy to provide general advice to help you navigate the process with confidence.

#UoNOfficialRep Chris

From my experience, the Lunar New Year is one of the times when the University of Nottingham campus feels especially vibrant. Throughout the week, different events are happening across campus, each offering something unique.

At the Globe Café Lunar New Year celebration, I got to experience traditional games such as chopstick relay and kicking jinzai, which were a fun way to learn about cultural traditions while meeting new people. They also had stations where you could explore the meanings of different Chinese characters and try calligraphy — something many students really enjoyed. And of course, sharing dumplings and other Chinese dishes made the evening feel even more festive.

The ResX Lunar New Year event at Jubilee Campus offered a slightly different atmosphere, with music, arts and crafts, calligraphy, and even a Lion Dance performance. It was a great chance to see how student life teams support cultural celebrations and bring the community together.

For those interested in performances, the Lunar New Year Gala at Lakeside Arts provided a more formal cultural experience, featuring traditional music, dance, and martial arts. It's a nice way to appreciate the festival's broader cultural significance.

Overall, Lunar New Year at UoN is a lively and welcoming time on campus. Whether you're joining the games, trying new food, or attending performances, there's always something happening that brings students together.

How has your Lunar New Year experience been? Please share any pictures or wording; it would be great to see your posts.

✨ Xīn Nián Kuài Lè (Happy New Year)!
# UoN Official Student Rep, Leena

Hello everyone 👋

We wanted to share an important update for those supporting students applying for 2026 entry.

Applications for full-time undergraduate funding through Student Finance England will open on 23rd March 2026.

Encouraging students to apply early can help ensure funding is in place before enrolment in September. Processing can take several weeks during peak periods, and students do not need their firm university choice confirmed before submitting an application — details can be updated later if required.

You can also advise students to join the Student Finance mailing list to receive a reminder when applications go live.


Considering cost of living alongside tuition fees

For many families, the broader cost of living is just as important as tuition fees when supporting decision-making.

Students considering studying in Nottingham often find it compares favourably to larger UK cities in terms of affordability. Cost-of-living comparison data (including figures collated by Numbeo, an international cost database based on user-submitted data) consistently places Nottingham below cities such as London for rent, groceries and everyday expenses.

While individual budgets will vary, typical advantages of studying in Nottingham include:

These factors can make overall student budgeting more manageable across the academic year.


Student perspective: making a budget stretch

To provide a practical student voice, one of our current undergraduates recently created a short video demonstrating how they spend £10 in Nottingham and make it go further. We’ll share the link below for anyone supporting students who may benefit from a realistic snapshot of day-to-day budgeting.

If helpful, we’re very happy to answer questions around:

Please feel free to post below or message us directly.

Hi everyone, 👋

If you’re guiding a prospective student through their next steps — whether you’re a parent, guardian, international agent, careers adviser or teacher — here’s a quick update to help you support them as they plan for September 2026.

Accommodation applications at many universities, including the University of Nottingham, open on 1 April 2026. Here’s what you need to know to help your student feel confident and prepared:

✅ Who can apply?

Students must firmly accept their conditional or unconditional offer before they can submit an accommodation application.

🖥 How do students apply?

Applications are made via the university’s Student Living portal. Full instructions will be available once applications open.

🛏 Is accommodation guaranteed?

At the University of Nottingham, a room in university-arranged accommodation is typically guaranteed for first-year students who apply before the published deadline.

⏰ Should students apply early?

Yes — applying soon after 1 April is strongly recommended. While accommodation is guaranteed when deadlines are met, popular halls and room types can fill quickly, so early action gives students more choice.

Helping a student choose where to live is a big part of supporting their transition to university — whether that’s catered or self‑catered, on‑campus or off‑campus, ensuite or shared facilities.

If you’d like guidance on how to support them with:
• understanding different hall options
• budgeting for accommodation
• what to prioritise when applying

—we’re here and happy to help.
Feel free to post any questions below or share this helpful video with your student: How To Book Your Accommodation.

Alongside securing a place to live, many families are naturally considering the overall cost of living.

Students choosing to study in Nottingham often benefit from the city’s reputation as one of the more affordable major student locations in the UK. Compared to larger cities, average rental prices, everyday groceries and general living expenses are typically lower.

Additional factors that families often find reassuring include:

Taken together, these elements can make budgeting more predictable and manageable across the academic year.

Alongside these practical considerations, many families are also thinking about the overall quality of education and long-term value of their child’s degree.

We were pleased to see this recognised in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, where:

For families, this kind of recognition can offer reassurance that students are learning in an environment shaped by:

Combined with a supportive student experience and a city that remains relatively affordable, it can help students focus on making the most of their time at university—both academically and personally.

If helpful, we’re very happy to support discussions around:

Please feel free to post below if we can help with any queries as students move into this next stage of preparation.

#UoN Official Rep Chris