What parents want from universities and how UEA can help

Parents and prospective students at UEA Open day

Clearing 2025 is now open

Going to university is a major life milestone for anyone, but it doesn’t just impact the lifestyle of the student – it also represents a significant change for their families.

It’s therefore unsurprising that so many parents and carers are involved in the decision-making process when a child is choosing which universities to apply to.

With this in mind, we surveyed 1,000 parents and carers of children aged 16–18 from across the UK to discover what exactly would reassure them the most about their child’s choice of university.

See below for the top features on their wishlist, and how UEA supports students in these areas

1) The cost of living in their chosen location, for example, food and rent– 43%

Norwich is considered to have one of the lowest costs of living for students across the UK, with campus accommodation starting at under £170 per week, and city centre rent averaging 54% cheaper than London.

The general cost of living is reportedly 44% less expensive than the capital, with food, utilities and lifestyle costs all far more affordable.

UEA also offers subsidised travel and sports memberships, as well as other cost-saving initiatives, such as our support for Too Good to Go, which provides discounted food to students.

2) Access to high-quality teaching and resources – 41%

UEA is the 26^th best university in the country, according to the Complete University Guide, scoring particularly high for research quality (17^th). In fact, over 91% of UEA’s research is rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.

Our teaching gained Silver status in the Teaching Excellence Framework in 2023 and our high academic standards mean our students graduate with first-rate job prospects and the skills needed for a bright future.

Joe Ellis-Gage, Lecturer in Children and Young People’s Health and Nursing at UEA, was even named University Educator of the Year at the Student Nursing Times Awards 2025, showcasing the quality of academics across the teaching faculty.

Furthermore, our results in the National Student Survey 2025 included 100% positivity scores in a wide range of areas, from midwifery to journalism.

3) Cost transparency, for example, accommodation and tuition – 39%

We’ve published extensive guides online with information about the costs involved with attending university, and what’s included in your fees.

You can also read articles about the cost of living in Norwich to help students budget for living in the city.

4) Student safety measures – 39%

At UEA, we pride ourselves on protecting the safety and wellbeing of our students. Security teams patrol the campus and monitor CCTV 24/7, and they can be contacted directly through the SafeZone app. The app also offers location tracking if desired, as well as assistance when feeling unsafe.

We also offer a variety of mental health and wellbeing services, led by The Student Life and Wellbeing team in Student Journey and Support Services. They offer one-to-one appointments, group sessions and access to a variety of therapy options. For 24/7 support, our Student Services Hub is a digital self-help platform that provides a wide range of resources, guidance, and signposting to support wellbeing at any time.

Norwich is considered one of the best places to live in the UK, with lots to explore. For advice on staying safe on a night out in the city, read our guide here.

5) Financial support (e.g. bursaries) – 39%

We believe that higher education should be broadly accessible and financial barriers and worries should be minimised.

There is a range of financial support available for students at UEA, including bursaries and scholarships for both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

Tuition fee loans are available from Student Finance England for undergraduate courses, while maintenance loans are offered to UK students to help with day-to-day living costs like accommodation, travel, food, and social life expenses.

Other funding options, such as travel grants and the disabled students allowance (DSA), can also be applied for.

Support for parents through Clearing

Our study also explored how parents and carers feel about supporting their children on results day through the Clearing process. We found that only one in eight (12%) feel comfortable, so we’ve created a clear, accessible guide specifically for parents and carers here.

Sources:

21^st

UK university in the Complete University Guide 2025

UK TOP10

for work experience, according to Rate my Placement

UK TOP20

Times Higher Education Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021