We know that supporting your child's entry to Higher Education can be both exciting and anxious and can generate lots of questions. In our parent's pages you can find out all the information that you need to prepare both yourself and your child throughout the whole process. Below you find some of the frequently asked questions by parents and all the answers they need.
If you're feeling a little tongue-tied, take a look at the Jargon Buster to get in line with the lingo.
If you haven’t done so already, attending an Open Day with your child is a great way to get answers to all your questions and to see what it’s really like to be a student at Swansea. Take a look at our undergraduate open day pages, for further information and to book your place.
Alternatively, you can contact our admissions team on Email or call 01792 295111
We look forward to welcoming you to Swansea!
Get familiar with higher education terms.
Semester - A university teaching block. Most universities’ semesters run from September to January and February to June with examinations at the end of each semester.
Personal Tutors - When students arrive in September, they’re assigned a personal tutor who will provide academic support and guidance during their time at university. The personal tutor can help students with any academic concerns and also maintain contact with lecturers/seminar tutors.
Grades, marking, and assessments - One of the main differences between assessments at school/college and university is the grading system. At university, students typically receive a percentage mark, which then translates into a grade bracket. For example, a student receiving a mark of 65% will have achieved a ‘2:1’ grade. In some cases, students will panic that their results are perhaps lower than what they were receiving at school/college and, if this is the case, it is important to encourage your child to communicate with their assessor in order to receive a breakdown of specific marks and feedback along with understanding how the grading system differs.
There are many ways in which courses are assessed at University and it depends entirely on the type, of course, your child is studying and it’s usually a combination of different types of assessment per academic year such as presentations, exams, coursework, practical work etc.
Clearing - If your child hasn't secured a place at University, didn't get the grades they expected or did better than expected then they can take part in Clearing. Clearing is a UCAS process that matches applicants to course vacancies. For further information please see our Clearing Advice for Parents page.
Open Day – Attending an open day with your child is a great way to really see what it is like to be a student at Swansea University. We currently offer both virtual and in-person open days for you and your student. You will be able to tour the campus, ask questions, check out accommodations, and meet other prospective students. Take a look at our undergraduate open day pages for further information and to book your place.
Freshers Week – Freshers is an opportunity for your student to make friends, explore the campus, experience the city of Swansea, and settle into university life. They will be able to discover clubs and societies, meet our Student Union Officers, and grab some sweet freebies at the Fresher’s Fayre.
UCAS – The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. This is the centralised service that students use to apply to university. For specific information on when and how to apply for an undergraduate course please visit the UCAS website.
