How to help your teen choose their university course

Which subject to study and which university course aren’t easy decisions for any teen. But, there’s a lot you can do as a parent to help them narrow it down.

There are now so many tools and resources available, it’s never been easier to help them when they ask: ‘what should I study and where should I do it?’ However, having too much choice and with so much conflicting advice online, it can be overwhelming!

Don’t worry, we’ve got you sorted. Start by going through the steps below to help guide your teen in the right direction.

Kickstarting the conversation and picking a subject

1. Help refine their interests and passions

Students are more likely to do well if they’re studying a subject they’re genuinely passionate about – fact. A good place to start is talking about their current favourite subject/s and hobbies.

Here are some conversation starters to try:

Which subjects do you have a natural flair for?
Do you enjoy more than one subject – are there any common themes?
What do you enjoy most – the essays and researching; the making and producing things; the physical stuff and performing?
Which of your hobbies do you love the most? Are you more drawn to music, sport or art?
What else makes you feel alive? Do you love current affairs, gaming, helping others or public speaking, for example?

2. Be supportive when they’re researching

There’s plenty of info about university courses and subjects out there, and while it’s up to your teen to do the research, you can guide them by checking that want they want to study fits with their personality.

For example, if your teen loves being active and getting practical, they might prefer a more experience-led subject like nursing, physiotherapy or TV production. These subject areas are more likely to offer work experience opportunities and practical assessments rather than being based around lectures and seminars.

3. Remind them to think outside the box

Your teen doesn’t need to restrict themselves to topics they’ve already studied. Allow them some space to explore what they might enjoy and what subjects might help them thrive and grow – even if they’re new or non-traditional.

4. Chat about job prospects

Though choosing a course isn’t all about a set career path, it can be helpful to think about what lies beyond the degree. Help them research the jobs that graduates of that degree tend to get.

Exploring a degree’s job prospects will help them think long-term but it will also encourage them to consider whether they’re really interested in a subject – ‘could I do this in the long-term?’ Check out UCAS’ Careers Quiz to help get them thinking.

Getting more specific – deciding which university course

5. Order them university prospectus and attend open days

According to market research company, Savanta, open days, university websites, league tables and prospectus’ are the top most influenctial sources when people start researching into universities.

A uni prospectus can provide a really good feel and can help with the initial decision-making process. Once your teen has narrowed it down a bit, go to a few open days with them. This is the opportunity to see the campus and facilities, meet lecturers and get an insight into the course. Encourage them to stay open-minded and stay overnight to really get a feel of the location.

6. Think about the whole picture

Understandably, as a parent you might lean towards the more practical things, like course fees, employability rates and proximity to home. But, your teen is more likely to think about the university’s location, facilities and social scene. Sometimes, it might be best for you to take a back seat and let them explore the whole potential experience.

7. Research university course content

Encourage your teen to look closely at the modules, not just the course overview. The same subject course can differ a lot between universities. Each one will offer different specialisms, expertise and opportunities.

It’s helpful to highlight must-haves and rather-nots with your teen. For example, if they want to study English, creative writing opportunities might be a must-have but Old English modules might be a rather-not.

8. Think about entry requirements and grades

Take a look at the requirements for each course and you can help your teen decide what’s realistic and achievable. Some universities use the UCAS tariff while others don’t. You can also check how flexible universities can be and whether they might make unconditional offers before teens get their final results. Together, think about what expectations your teen has both of themself and the course.

9. Talk about the possibility of flexibility

For teens who are undecided or struggling to make a firm decision, it can be helpful to remind them that things don’t have to be set in stone. Find out which universities allow you to switch courses at a certain point. Some also offer the opportunity to study a module or two in another subject throughout the course.

10. Make a pros and cons list

It’s simple but sometimes this is the best way to help them make the final decision on their university course. Use the opportunity to add in any notes you have from your own personal research or during open days.

The takeaway

Ultimately, deciding which university course to study is one of the biggest decisions your teen will make. Some will be thinking about the number of exams and coursework assignments, while others will value things like reputation, location or specific module areas. Whatever is most important to your teen – discuss it with them.

It’s their decision, but asking helpful questions and offering guidance along the way will help them make a balanced and well-informed decision.

Your university degree cheatsheet

Bachelor’s degree

This is a course that’s usually three or four years long. It can focus on a single subject, a dual subject (dual or joint honours) or several subjects (combined honours). Usually, there’s a core part of the course that everyone studies and then options to specialise by taking different modules.

Some bachelor’s degrees offer sandwich courses, which means an additional year in a work placement or a year to study abroad.

Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc)?

This question is really down to the course itself and one isn’t necessarily valued higher than the other. The biggest difference is in the subject chosen – whether it’s more arts or science focused. For some subjects, this might differ between universities.

For example, Geography, Economics and Psychology can be either a BA or BSc course. Ask your teen whether they’d be more interested in the creative side or they’d prefer a more maths or science-driven approach.

Foundation degree

Not to be confused with foundation years (this is usually required for art-related courses), foundation degrees last two years and are a good alternative if your teen hasn’t reached the grade for a degree course, or prefers the idea of combining academic and workplace skills. They can be topped up with a final year to equate to a bachelor’s degree. Find out more on the UCAS site here.

Degree of bachelor level apprenticeship

This is a relatively new university offering, allowing students who are doing an apprenticeship to gain a bachelor’s (or master’s) qualification by working and studying at university part-time.

Master’s (MA)

A master’s is a step up from a bachelor’s degree. Your teen might choose to carry on their studies in their chosen subject or they might be able to study a different subject if they want. This usually involves more advanced research and independent study.

Other helpful resources

If your teen could use a role model as well as study support, our tutors are here to help. Find the right tutor for them here.