UCAS Application

[simsfreq]

I am having trouble understanding the last question on the "About You" section on the UCAS online application system. Here is the question:

Occupational background
If you are under 21, please give the occupation of your parent, step-parent or guardian who earns the most. If he or she is retired or unemployed, give their most recent occupation. If you are 21 or over, please give your own occupation.

Do I include parents and step-parents who are not living with me?
I am under 21 and live with my mum, who isn't married, and my dad earns a lot more than her, but I haven't lived with him since I was about 5 or 6. My mum is also unemployed and her last occupation was a (horticultural) nursery asistant. (Which won't fit into the space on the form!)
I tried the help page on the website but it only repeated the question word-for-word, unhelpfully.

[carbado]

I can just about remember that question mate and i am was in the sort of same position as you, you should put you mother as your from a single parent family really... dunno about the 'occupation' question space ! or if i'm wrong i am open to correction....

[MissyA369]

I don't think it's THAT important, you should just put your mum's last occupation.

[Buenchico]

I'm fairly sure that this question is only so that UCAS can compile data on the 'social class' of university applicants. (There's nothing sinister in this. Successive governments have tried to encourage more applications from 'poorer' backgrounds. In order to assess whether their strategies are working they need to ask questions like this one. Social analysis used to always ask for the father's occupation. These days they seek the occupation of the 'principal breadwinner' of the family). So, as far as your individual application is concerned it makes no difference what you put. (It's definitely got nothing to do with funding - that's on a completely different form).

If it was me, I'd fill in 'horticulture' (or something similar) but,if you're still concerned you can always phone UCAS. This is from their website:
"If you need help or advice on your individual application you should contact your careers adviser or call our Customer Service Unit on [phone]. You can also write to us at Customer Service Unit, UCAS, PO Box 28, Cheltenham GL52 3LZ."

Chris

[january_bug]

Or come and see them - because it really is in a lovely town!

If in doubt, keep with the parent who is the "poorest".  My friend's paretns are divorced.  Dad is minted, Mum has a decent amount of money, but no decent income, so he didn't have to pay fees and got a grant not a loan.  The system is evil, so play it as best you can!

And do what was advised just above me - contact UCAS, rather than us!

[beccac2901]

Oh my gosh ive got thte same problem too! my mum is unemployed and has been for a long time now but her last job was something to do with working at a port, I have to apply for maintenance grants etc for uni, can this question affect that? sorry i couldnt help! x