parents frequently-asked-questions

Q. What happens on A level results day?
A. Students should be able to go to their school in the morning to collect their results in person. Usually the school will arrange for staff to be available to discuss results. What happens next depends on whether students have got the right grades or not for their firm choice and insurance choice (students will have chosen these earlier in the year). UCAS will also receive a copy of all applicants’ results.

Applicants who have met the conditions of their firm (F) choice will be placed there.
Applicants who have not met the conditions of their firm (F) choice but meet the conditions of their insurance (I) choice, will be placed at their insurance choice.
Applicants, who did not get the grades for either their firm or insurance choice, will be eligible for Clearing.

Q. What happens if my son/daughter does not get the grades needed?
A. Some institutions are prepared to re-consider an applicant if he/she narrowly missed out on the grades required, so it is always worth giving them a call to discuss the results.

If students do not get the grades required for either their firm or insurance choice, and the institution is not prepared to accept them, then students can go through Clearing.

Clearing is a UCAS service that helps people without a university or college place to find suitable vacancies that are still left. Your son/daughter should have been made aware of this service through the school or Careers Service. UCAS will also send out information about the arrangements for Clearing.

Contact the Careers Service if you want to find out more about Clearing. Representatives from the Consortium visit the island the day after students get their results. They will be on hand to offer advice and information to students going through Clearing.


Q. Where do I find out information about grants?
A. You can contact the Grants section of the Education Department in Guernsey on Tel: 710821 to find out more. They are happy to meet with parents and students to talk about arrangements. The Careers Service also has copies of the grants information booklet – go to grants link.

Click here for a guide to the cost of going to university.

Q. If my son/daughter gains a place on a degree course, will he/she automatically be eligible for a grant?
A. Guernsey school leavers and year out students who have a place on a degree course are eligible for a grant, subject to the rules relating to residence and any previous course of higher education.

Q. My son/daughter is considering taking a 2-year gap before going to university. Will this affect his/her grant?
A. Guernsey students should not be affected by this. If they take a 2-year gap rather than just a year, the grant should not be affected as long as their parents still live in Guernsey and the student would have ordinarily been resident.

The grant may be affected if he/she is an independent age (20 years of age plus). Contact the grants department for further information.


Q. How and when does my son/daughter sort out their accommodation?
A. This usually happens when students have accepted their firm (F) and insurance (I) choices. By July, students should be starting to get information through from their firm choice institution about accommodation. There may be a choice of accommodation. If you are unsure what to choose, contact the Careers Service: Tel: 733044.

Consortium universities (Bournemouth, Brighton, Portsmouth and Plymouth) guarantee accommodation for the first year.


Q. Does my son/daughter need a television licence if they are in halls of residence?
A. Yes.
If they are in private rented accommodation, then they usually only need one television licence for the house, just like you have for your own home (irrespective of how may televisions there are).

Q. Are they able to use computers/internet in their rooms?
A. Some institutions have free access to the Internet in halls of residence. Students should be able to use their own computers in their rooms but there may not always be Internet access.
It is best to check with institutions first.


Q. Will my son/daughter’s possessions be covered by our home contents insurance?
A. Some insurance companies offer a special package to insure students’ possessions whilst at university. They will usually ask whether the room is secure and can be locked. If students are living in private accommodation and share a house with other students, they may need to have a lock on their bedroom door. Check with your insurance company what arrangements they have.


Q. What facilities are there for students with special needs?
A. Facilities will vary from university to university. There are a number of ways you can find out more. You can contact the National Bureau for Students with Disabilities on Tel: 020 7450 0620 or visit their website at www.skill.org.uk.


Q. Are we able to visit the university before our son/daughter decides if he/she wants to go there?
A. Yes. Universities and colleges offer Open Days. The Careers Service has information about the dates of open days or you can check in the course prospectus. It is also worth noting that if you want to visit a number of institutions whilst you are in the UK, the Open Days are unlikely to be close together. You would be best to contact the institution direct to let them know you are traveling from the Channel Islands and you would like to visit them even though they do not have an official Open Day.

The Careers Service also has videos in its library about universities and checking university websites will usually show some photos of the campus and surrounding areas. 


Q. Can my son/daughter take his/her car to university?
A. Yes. Check with the university first as car parking space is often limited and some universities do not allow first year students or students living in halls to take a car. You may have to pay to get a parking permit for the year. You will also need to inform the car insurance company as some areas of the UK mean you have to pay a higher premium. Your son/daughter will also need to complete a customs form. You can contact them direct about this.

Don’t forget petrol prices are much higher in the UK! 

Q. Is it possible to apply for more than one course at the same university?
A. Yes. The courses will have different course codes that you enter on the application form. However, be aware that if your son/daughter applies for a number of very different courses at the same university, they will question how genuine his/her interests are in studying the courses.

Q. My son/daughter is studying a National Diploma (National Certificate or AVCE) rather than A levels. Can they still go to university?
A. Yes. A National Diploma is the same as 3 A levels. The  National Certificate and AVCE’s are also graded in the same way as A levels so the university entry requirements will include them in their list of acceptable qualifications.

Sometimes universities will ask for a particular National Diploma, National Certificate or |AVCE subject just as they do with A levels. T

Q. When will my son/daughter know what offers have been made by the universities?
A. Students should start receiving offers from universities anytime after January. Between April and June, students should receive a final decision letter from UCAS outlining all the offers that have been made and a final reply date when they have to confirm their firm (F) or insurance (I) choices. The final reply date is unique to your son/daughter; it will not necessarily be the same as their friends.