We recognise that your role is crucial in supporting your child to access Further and Higher Education.
Your child’s future is closer than you think. Here at HOP it’s our job to make sure your children have access to the right experience, knowledge and opportunities to help them make the right decisions for their futures.
Not only that, but we’re here to help you understand what further and higher education means for your child, and the benefits of encouraging them to keep studying further and higher.
10 frequently asked questions:
1 How can HOP help you to support your child?
Your child’s future is closer than you think. Here at HOP it’s our job to make sure your children have access to the right experience, knowledge and opportunities to help them make the right decisions for their futures.
Not only that, but we’re here to help you understand what further and higher education means for your child, and the benefits of encouraging them to keep studying further and higher.
2 What is higher education?
Higher education involves learning at a more advanced level and it requires a lot more independent study. There are multiple different ways to study at a varied variety of universities and colleges. Check out these stories on student’s experience going to university or college. https://discoveruni.gov.uk/is-uni-for-me/student-stories/
3 What is it really like?
To get a better idea of what higher education is like, you can go to open days to look around the campus at the facilities, meet lecturers and staff as well as other students.
You can also talk to current students on forums such as The Student Room or on different social media platforms. Some universities will run summer schools or have other programmes that let you experience university life. Check out The Sutton Trust which runs summer schools with a number of universities.
See stories from different students about their experience of going to university or college.
4 Ways to study?
There are a number of ways you can study: Full-time, part-time, distance learning and blended learning, accelerated degrees and higher and degree apprenticeships.
There are also other opportunities with studying at university or college. For example, some courses can include work placements or even opportunities of study abroad, varying from one week to a year or more. These can be a compulsory part of the course, but in some cases they are optional. https://discoveruni.gov.uk/is-uni-for-me/about-higher-education/
5 University and college types.
There are different types of colleges and universities.
Further education colleges offer higher education courses. Some colleges focus on more practical and vocational courses or on shorter qualifications. Universities are usually dedicated to higher education as well as research. There are also specialist institutions and conservatoires which normally focus on a specific subject such as performing arts and may offer more practical and vocational skills. https://discoveruni.gov.uk/is-uni-for-me/about-higher-education/
6 Higher education qualifications.
Higher education qualifications vary both in their level and how long they take. First higher education qualifications are usually described as undergraduate.
Bachelors’ degree (e.g. BA/BSc)
Foundation degree
Higher National Certificate (HNC)/ Higher National Diploma (HND)
Some first degrees take longer to complete than the typical bachelors’ degree, such as those in medicine. https://discoveruni.gov.uk/is-uni-for-me/about-higher-education/
7 How will I pay for it?
You can access information on GOV.com to help you to understand the support your child could get to pay for tuition fees or their living costs, and point you to where they might be entitled to extra support. https://discoveruni.gov.uk/how-will-i-pay-for-it/
8 Why go to uni?
Click here to see some of the benefits of higher education which may help you and your child think about what they could get out of higher education. https://discoveruni.gov.uk/is-uni-for-me/why-go-to-uni/
9 How to choose a course.
Some things will be more important to your child than others when deciding what and where to study. Factors like course choice or where they want to live etc. Access Discover Uni to help you understand your course options. https://discoveruni.gov.uk/how-do-i-choose-course/
10 How to apply.
You apply to University though UCAS. Some courses have different deadlines, and several are a long time in advance of the start of the course. Find out more-
https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/ucas-undergraduate-when-apply
Myth Busting
Higher Education Myth Busting
Our student ambassadors and careers advisors Sanna and Amy talk you though the common myths that surround higher education. Busting Myths such as; If I go to University, I wont make any friends. You have to be rich to go to University. University is only for people who are academic. You have to move away from home to study at University.
Apprenticeship Myth Busting
Our student ambassadors and careers advisors Sanna and Amy talk you though the common myths that surround apprenticeships. Busting Myths such as; I can only do an apprenticeship if I am school leaver. You can't go to university if you do and apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are the easy option. You can only do an apprenticeship in a vocational subject.
HOP - An honest interview with University freshers
Humber Outreach Programme interviews some University freshers with honest and real answers.
Talking everything from student finance, student accommodation and studying while covid-19 is happening. This interview will give you insights into how students found life at University in 2021.
Parent podcast
It’s our job to deliver relevant, impartial and useful information to students in our area. We run all kinds of workshops in schools and colleges to help build the knowledge and skills students need in the future. From revision techniques to exploring all pathway options, we’re working hard so your child can discover their potential and make the right choices.
It’s our role to bring the right information to you and your child to help them make informed decisions about their futures and you’ll never have to pay for your child to take part.
Guides to Higher Education
When your child nears the end of their compulsory schooling, they will have to make decisions about their next steps. As a parent or carer, the advice and guidance you provide throughout their educational journey will have a significant impact on their long-term future.
In recent years, the higher education landscape has changed with more young people heading off to university or college than ever before. However, many parents and carers feel unsure if this is the right pathway for their child, and may not know what support to offer.
Familiarising yourself with the information in this guide will get you up to speed wherever your child is on their journey. This will enable you to provide the right support at the right time, ensuring your child is well placed to make informed decisions about their future.
You can access our Humber Careers Guide here.
Check our our other guides!
Parents and Carers Guide to Higher Education
Throughout this guide, you’ll find facts and stats, FAQs, useful charts and guides and much more. There’s also a glossary of terms at the back.
FREE careers guides for parents and carers
From university and apprenticeships to work experience, Success at School's 2022/2023 careers guides are packed full of advice to help support your child in making the best career choices for them.
Remit: Resilience Minds Toolkit
Access your resilience and mental health guides for parents and careers by Boingboing HERE. For more information on how to use these check out Southern Universities Network's website.
The Parents Guide To
On the Parents Guide to website access a section containing a variety of informative articles tailored for parents and caregivers, covering topics such as options at 16, options at 18, study tips, well-being, and personal development.
The Parents Guide To What's Next
The Parents’ Guide to What’s Next provides a summary of all options Post 16 and Post 18, so you’ll know what choices they have and what to bear in mind when making those decisions. It’s free too!
The Parents Guide To National Careers Weeks and Green Careers Week
National Careers Week is a celebration of careers guidance and free resources in education across the UK. The aim is to provide a focus for careers guidance activity at an important stage in the academic calendar to help support young people leaving education. . Find out how in this free guide for parents created in partnership with National Careers Week.
The Parents Guide to National Apprenticeship Week
National Apprenticeship Week is an annual, week-long celebration of apprenticeships and anyone involved with them. The week brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy. Find out more in this free guide for parents created in partnership with National Apprenticeship Week.
Humber Their Future Their Choice
Supporting your son or daughter to make the right decisions in life is never an easy task. Deciding which path to take can seem overwhelming for them; and knowing how to offer support without influencing their STEPS decisions can be difficult for you.
This handy guide has been brought to you by the Humber Outreach Programme and the Humber Careers Hub. We want to strip out the jargon and give you the information you need to help you support your son or daughter in understanding their career choices and plan their next steps.
