Information for parents

In addition to the information on our web pages, we have also specifically created a Parents Guide. Download our free Parents Guide (PDF, file size: 2.08MB) packed with information, tips and advice for you, to help your son or daughter make the right choice.

Staffordshire University has a long, proud history of providing high quality learning and helping each student to achieve their goals.

Offering over 800 highly-respected courses, we do our utmost to make sure our students are highly employable. Plus, if they want to work for themselves, we can even help set them up in business!

We have recently invested over £5m on new buildings and facilities and have been rated excellent/commendable for the quality of our teaching 13 times in a row.

According to the annual National Student Survey, we also have more happy, contented students.

We offer good quality accommodation that is reasonably-priced, well-kept and secure.

Our choice of accommodation includes fully-furnished study bedrooms and student houses. We also operate a private landlord scheme of carefully vetted local landlords.

All ‘on-campus’ rooms normally have high-speed Internet connection, student email service and e-learning system.

Kitchen and dining facilities are shared and some en-suite accommodation is available.

Specially adapted accommodation is also available for students with additional needs.

We place great importance on preparing our students for the world of work.

That’s why we’ve invested in the very best facilities – including a £1.5m media centre, a mock courtroom and a crime scene house – all to provide as much real-life experience as possible.

However, we don’t stop there!

With outstanding links with numerous local, national and international companies, we also provide outstanding work-based experience.

We’ve well-stocked careers information centres and our experienced careers team is always on hand to offer individual careers guidance and advice.

All universities charge tuition fees and, at Staffordshire University, we aim to be competitive. 

As well as tuition fees, living costs also have to be covered, however it’s worth noting that Staffordshire is one of the cheapest places to live in the country.

To help students support themselves, the Students’ Union finds work for about 200 students each year.

Depending on your circumstances, financial assistance for students includes: student loans, non-repayable bursaries/grants and maintenance loans.

Academic life

Some people come to university confidently expecting three or so years of unbridled excitement and pleasure.

Others approach it with anxiety or even dread.

All this is quite normal - we have all been there. So whether your son or daughter is feeling ultra-confident or anxious about the next three years, here is some straightforward information to help them get a feel for what university life might be like.

Social life

All work and no play makes for a pretty dull life.

So you’ll be pleased to know there’s lots to keep your son or daughter entertained and stimulated, both in and around the University and across Staffordshire.

As well as all its venues, the Students’ Union also runs over 70 clubs and societies.

All applications for higher education have to be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).

Applications can be made online and guidance can be obtained direct from UCAS or from your child’s school or college.

When offered a place at Staffordshire University, your son or daughter will receive an email or letter from UCAS and a Formal Offer letter from us explaining what to do next.

If your son or daughter receives a conditional offer, it is because we need confirmation of their examination results.

NHS medical services are available on our Stoke and Stafford campuses and we recommend that every student registers with the local GP practice of their choice.

Overseas students should be entitled to free medical advice and treatment under the NHS if they are at the University for more than six months, although a prescription charge is made for medicines prescribed by their doctor.

It is important that your child registers with a local doctor as soon as they can after arriving at the University.

Our Stoke and Stafford campuses are well-equipped and have been designed to cater for your son or daughter’s every need.

There are good-value Students’ Union shops, cafés, catering facilities, bars and venues. To help them get their five-a-day, there’s also ‘Squeeze Box’, the newly-opened juice bar.

The Students’ Union also provides a variety of free and independent welfare, educational and financial advice services. Sports facilities at both campuses are superb.

There are four main libraries, more than 2,500 computers for student use, excellent childcare… plus those all-essential laundrettes.

If your son or daughter ever feels concerned about anything – or needs a little support – rest assured, help is never far away.

Our Student Guidance Officers can help with a wide range of academic issues. Our Counselling Service provides the opportunity to talk to someone in a confidential and supporting atmosphere.

Disabled Student Support ensures additional needs are met before disabled students commence their studies.

We provide extra help for students leaving care to join us. And our multi-faith Chaplaincy Centres provide social, quite and sacred space.