At the University of Leicester, we know that parents, carers and family members have a key role in providing support for students applying to, and studying at, university. We recognise that when a member of your family goes to university, you want to know that there will be support and advice available, should they need it.

These links will help you find the information you need to help support members of your family during both the application process and the years that they will spend at the University of Leicester. For general advice about Higher Education, visit the DirectGov website.

Come and see the University for yourself

If a member of your family is thinking about studying at Leicester, you are very welcome to accompany them to one of our Open Days where you will be able to look around the campus and ask questions of staff and current students. Please arrange your attendance in advance so that we can make provision for numbers and for any special requirements.

If your family member has already applied to Leicester and has received an offer of a place from the University, you are encouraged to join them at one of our UCAS Applicant Visit Days. These events give more detailed information than the standard Open Days, including a presentation about finance and student support which is aimed specifically at parents and carers.

View the Open Days and UCAS Applicant Visit Days section

Application process

Applying to university can be a daunting experience for students – and for their parents and carers too. Even if you were once a student yourself, the process will have changed in the intervening years. At the University of Leicester, we do all we can to make the application process painless and friendly. Visit the ‘What next?’ section of this website for guidance and explanation about what is involved in applying to Leicester.

View the What next? section

Accommodation

The University of Leicester offers an extensive range of catered and self-catered residences in the Oadby Student Village and across the city with our Accommodation Services aiming to provide a home-from-home for our students. Visit the website for details of individual halls, facilities, pricing structure etc.

View the Accommodation Services website

Finance

Tuition fees, grants, scholarships, bursaries, student loans: the world of student finance can be complex and confusing, especially for school leavers and international students. The University of Leicester can help students – and their families – to understand the options available and to manage their finances successfully.

The Government have announced wholesale changes to the funding of Higher Education for 2012 entrants. The key outcomes of the announcements can be found in our fees and funding section. You can also sign up to receive up-to-date finance information as soon as announcements are made.

Safety and security

Providing a safe and secure environment where students can live, study and learn is one of the most important duties of the University. The majority of our students will go through their time at Leicester without incident, thanks to the careful planning and support provided by our Security Office, part of our Estates Division. If things do go wrong, however, there are staff here to help.

The University also has an excellent relationship with Leicestershire Constabulary. In 2009, our local patrol officer was awarded ‘Leicestershire Beat Bobby of the Year’ for his work in connecting with students through Facebook.

Family Programme: Keeping you up to date

If you are a family member of one of our students you are strongly encouraged to sign up to be a member of our Family Programme. The Vice-Chancellor hosts a welcome reception at the beginning of the new academic year for the families of new students, and we will also keep in touch with you about news and events at the University.

View the Family Programme section in the Alumni website

Student Support and Development Service

The SSDS provides a range of services for all University of Leicester students including health issues, academic support and specialist support for students with disabilities.

Find out about our award-winning student support

Under-18 students

If your child will be under the age of 18 when they register with the University, it is essential that you complete an Under 18 Consent Form. If you live outside the UK, you must provide details of a guardian who is based in the UK, ideally in or near Leicester. This guardian should be an adult whom the university can contact in case of an emergency and who can act in Loco Parentis.

Guidance for students aged under 18 and their families

Other useful links

• Catering Service – a wide range of places to eat on campus
• Chaplaincy – spiritual support for all faiths and denominations
• Library – state-of-the-art facilities open till late
• Sports and Recreation Service – promotes and supports many different sports at a range of levels
• Students’ Union – the social hub of student life; NB. this is a separate body from the University