Writtle University College and ARU have merged. Writtle’s full range of college, degree, postgraduate and short courses will still be delivered on the Writtle campus. See our guide to finding Writtle information on this site.

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Starting university: information for parents

Starting university is an exciting time for students and we know you'll want to help your child be as prepared as they can be.

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There's lot of support for students when questions or worries arise – and by knowing some of the challenges they're facing and what help is available, you can also help them cope with these pressures.

If you still have questions or worries, or want to know more, email us at [email protected]

Why go to university?

If your child's thinking about going to university, you'll want to be sure it's the right choice.

There are many things that can make university an amazing experience – and a good investment – for your child:

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Paying for university

You don't need to pay for university upfront. There's a range of loans and scholarships that can help to cover the cost of tuition fees, as well as day-to-day living expenses.

Undergraduate student finance

Find out more about tuition fees, loans and grants for undergraduate students.

Scholarships and bursaries

Check your child's eligibility for our scholarships and bursaries, designed to support some of our most talented students.

Support with the cost of living

Find out how we're helping to reduce financial pressures for our students.

Find out more about repaying student loans

  • You don’t need cash to pay up front
  • Students only start repaying student loans when they start work
  • They won’t pay anything until they earn more than £25,000 a year

See this Martin Lewis article for more information on student loans, parental income and repayments.

Support at university

Find out how we help our students with their study skills, health and wellbeing, money management, and more..

How we support our students

Getting ready for university

Accommodation

Find answers to questions parents, guardians and carers often ask about university accommodation.

Preparing for university

Help your child prepare for their arrival at ARU with our handy checklist.

The first year of university

Find out how the university year works and what to expect at each stage of your child's first year.