How can we help?
Search our Applying to study – service children frequently asked questions.
Do I have to give information about being a Service child?
No – it is entirely optional to give this information – you do not have to let the university or college know if you don’t want to. However, we recommend that you do, so they can understand the context of your achievements and make sure you know about any support that can help you during your studies. Even if you don’t feel you need any extra support now, you may feel differently later on.
If you prefer, you can contact the university or college directly to discuss your circumstances and talk about any support you might need. If you have any questions, they will be happy to give you more detailed information and advice at any time before or after you apply.
If you are still unsure, this blog article from the Ministry of Defence explains more about why UCAS asks this question, and why sharing your circumstances is a positive step.
Where can I get more information about applying to university if my parent or carer is in the UK Armed Forces?
- Find out more about applying to university if you're from an Armed Forces family.
- The Service Children’s Progression Alliance (SCiP Alliance) website has more information and advice for students from UK Armed Forces families.
- The Children's Education Advisory Service (CEAS) provides authoritative, bespoke, professional advice to Service and eligible MOD civilian families on a wide range of educational issues.
- If your parent or carer is in the Army, there is more information available from the Army Families Federation (AFF) website.
- For students with a parent or carer in the Navy, the Naval Families Federation (NFF) website provides information and advice.
- If your parent or carer is in the Royal Air Force, the Royal Air Force Families Federation (RAF FF) website offers more information.
- A blog article from the Ministry of Defence which explains more about why UCAS asks this question, and why sharing your circumstances is a positive step.
I am the child of someone who is serving in the UK Armed Forces, but I don’t think this has affected my educational attainment – do I have to give this information?
It's optional to give this information – you don't have to let the university or college know if you don’t want to. However, we recommend that you do, so they can understand the context of your achievements and make sure you know about any support that can help you during your studies. Even if you don’t feel you need any extra support now, you may feel differently later on.
Either way, don’t forget you can use the UCAS personal statement to highlight how your experience may have helped you develop unique skills and strengths that you'll be able to transfer to your studies. To help with this, the Service Children’s Progression Alliance (SCiP Alliance) has created some guidance to help you write about this.
My parent is a Reservist – does this count?
How is information about being from an Armed Forces family used?
This information is shared (securely) with those who are responsible for supporting you at university or college (e.g. the student services team).
Knowing about your circumstances may help admissions staff to take your achievements into account and gain a better understanding of your achievements and potential in context. They may get in touch with you to share more details about the support and opportunities they offer, or events and resources you may find useful to prepare for higher education.
Your information may be used (anonymously) for monitoring purposes. This helps the university to inform and improve the support they provide to other students from Armed Forces families in the future.
The information you share with UCAS is kept in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018.
For more information about who your information is shared with, read UCAS’ privacy policy.
Why would a university or college want to know if my parents have served in the UK Armed Forces?
Although there are many advantages to Service life, students from Armed Forces families (often called ‘Service children’) may face particular challenges with their education, such as moving schools.
Knowing about your circumstances may also help admissions staff to take your achievements into account and gain a better understanding of these achievements and potential in context. It won't reflect negatively on your application or academic ability, but instead will enable the university or college to form a more complete picture of you as an individual and identify applicants who have the potential to succeed – even if their personal circumstances have affected their attainment (e.g. exam grades). This blog article from the Ministry of Defence explains more about why UCAS asks this question, and why sharing your circumstances is a positive step.
When you give this information, you're letting the university or college know that you may need additional support during your studies, or have perhaps faced particular challenges. They may get in touch with more information about the support available and to discuss whether you want to access it. They may also be able to tell you about any opportunities to support their own work with the wider Armed Forces community.
Before you apply, you might find it's a good idea to contact student services at the university or college to check what support is available. Remember any support provided is designed to ensure you have a fair chance to succeed in your studies. You can use the UCAS personal statement to highlight how your experience has helped you develop unique skills and strengths. To help with this, the Service Children’s Progression Alliance (SCiP Alliance) has created some guidance to help you write about this.