Advice and support

We understand this can be a challenging time to support your child to navigate higher education options, and our Futures Careers team provide support for students with all their progression options, including university applications. They offer:

• Expert feedback on personal statements - students are asked to email a draft to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Sessions to prepare students for university applications - delivered in the first year of their Level 3 study programme. They will also attend a UCAS and personal statements session at the start of their second year. UCAS is the online system which processes UK university applications.
• A University Level Fair - to be held on Thursday 25th March 2027 at our Booth Lane site 10am-12pm. Students will have the opportunity to speak to representatives from over 40 universities and explore their options. 
• Visits to local Higher Education Exhibitions that students are invited to attend.
• Information sessions are arranged for parents/carers of level 3 students – a recording of our most recent presentation can be watched below, or the presentation can be. Link to join.

UCAS Fee

• Apply 2027 £34.50*

(to be paid online at the point of submitting the application)

*Please note that students who have been in receipt of free school meals at college or secondary school are eligible for the UCAS Free School Meals Waiver and will not pay the fee. (This must be declared by the student in the UCAS application and approved by College staff.) Students who were in care for 13 weeks spanning their 16^th birthday are also eligible for a fee waiver by declaring this on their application and uploading supporting documents.

• Important dates for September 2027

  • 12^th May 2026 – Undergraduate applications open for 2027 entry. Students can start their applications, but they cannot be submitted to UCAS until 1st September 2026. 
  • 1^st September 2026 – completed UCAS applications can be submitted
  • 1^st October 2026 – the Northampton College internal deadline for UCAS applications to the universities of Oxford & Cambridge and courses in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine/science.
  • 15^th October 2026 – the UCAS deadline for applications to the universities of Oxford & Cambridge and courses in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine/science.
  • 6^th November 2026 - the Northampton College internal deadline for UCAS applications in the Apply 2027 cycle. Students are asked where possible to submit applications by this deadline to ensure sufficient time for staff to process applications and write references.
  • 13^th January 2027 - the UCAS equal consideration deadline. Please be aware that this is the deadline that Northampton College staff work towards, and not when students should aim to submit their applications as they risk missing the deadline.
  • 25^th February 2027 – UCAS Extra opens
  • 30^th June 2027 – applications received by UCAS by 6pm will be sent to universities, after that they would enter Clearing.
  • 2^nd July 2027 – Clearing opens

• Futures Resources

  • Applying to University
  • Writing a Personal Statement
  • Degree Apprenticeships
  • Parent/Carer Information Presentation

• How can you support your child?

  • Encourage them to start thinking about university as an option when they begin their level 3 studies
  • Support them to research their course options
  • Register for university open events as early as possible to help with their decisions
  • Remind them to work on their personal statements and send them to the Futures team for feedback
  • Be mindful of the deadlines listed above.

• Useful links

  • Advice for parents, guardians and carers | UCAS
  • Discover Uni Home | Discover Uni
  • Six steps you need to take to apply to university - The Uni Guide
  • Check how much student finance you could get - GOV.UK
  • A guide to using AI and ChatGPT with your personal statement - UCAS
  • UCAS | Stop guessing. Start exploring