This might be the one thing you wish you'd found six months earlier — give it 30 seconds.
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Researchers: replace these with real figures and a source link under each.
FirstGen is a place for students who aren’t sure what uni is really like — made by people who’ve been there and remember feeling the same way. No buzzwords, no pressure, just real explanations and real experiences. Whether you’re applying, taking a gap year, or still deciding, this is somewhere you can figure things out at your own pace.
Most courses are about 15–20 hours a week of:
On top of that, you’ll spend extra time prepping, reading, and doing assignments. Some weeks are chaos (deadlines everywhere). Other weeks are way more chill.
Nothing’s “easy” — it’s just intense in different ways.
Mid‑semester, most unis have Reading Week:
Not a guaranteed holiday — but if you use it right, it saves you stress later.
Uni is flexible:
This is great if you manage your time. Dangerous if you don’t.
Uni shouldn’t be your whole personality. The people who do best:
That balance sets you up for future opportunities — not just grades.
This is where uni can feel slow.
University
Degree Apprenticeships
Neither is better — just different.
FirstGen is for students who are thinking about university, heading into it, or taking a gap year because they’re not quite sure what they want yet. If you don’t have all the answers, don’t come from a uni‑going background, or just want someone to explain things without making you feel stupid, this space is for you. Wherever you’re at, FirstGen helps you slow things down and figure out what makes sense for you.
Words from first-generation students who've been there.
“Not having family experience of university was difficult — but it makes me proud to be paving the way on my own.”
“I didn’t have my life planned out. I just chose a direction — and uni helped everything else click into place.”
“Uni wasn’t about getting everything right. It was about growing, changing my mind, and leaving more confident than I arrived.”
Common misconception: “First‑generation students are a small, uniformly disadvantaged minority.” Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), 2022
I started uni in 2025 and honestly, I wish I’d known that no one else really had it all figured out either. I help students understand what day‑to‑day uni life is actually like — from choosing modules and keeping up with work, to making friends and dealing with money worries. If you’re unsure about applying, taking a gap year, or just want to ask ‘obvious’ questions without feeling awkward, I’m here for that.
When thinking about life after sixth form, university is just one of many exciting pathways available. There are several valuable alternatives that can provide both experience and qualifications without following the traditional university route. For example, degree apprenticeships allow you to earn a salary while gaining a recognised qualification, combining practical work experience with academic study. Some students choose to go straight into an entry-level job, enabling them to start building skills, gaining independence, and progressing within a career from an early stage. Others opt for a gap year, which can be a great opportunity to travel, volunteer, or work, helping to develop confidence, broaden perspectives, and gain real-world experience. Each of these options offers unique benefits, allowing students to find a path that suits their goals, strengths, and preferred way of learning.
If no one in your family’s done uni before, you’re not behind — you’re brave.
Start with FirstGen →
The principles we hold ourselves to, so this site is welcoming to everyone who lands on it.
Short sentences, common words, one idea at a time. Avoid jargon and explain any unfamiliar terms.
Clearly say who the charity is, who it helps, and what users can do — in one heading and one sentence.
Icons can help, but always include text (e.g. ☎️ Call us, 📍 Find our centre), never icons alone.
Buttons should say exactly what will happen, using verbs like Get help, Find support, or Donate food.
Avoid text inside images, leave space for longer translated words, and keep sentences short and clear.
Use friendly language and obvious contact options, reassuring users that it’s okay to ask for help.
For anyone who reads more easily by ear — our text‑to‑speech checklist.
Place a clearly labelled button or link at the top of the page so users can easily find and start text‑to‑speech.
Use real text (HTML), not images of text, so screen readers and TTS tools can access all content.
Use headings (<h1>–<h3>), lists, and <main>, <nav>, <footer> regions so TTS reads content in the right order.
The TTS button must be usable with keyboard only (Tab, Enter, Space) and have a visible focus outline.
Let users start and stop speech themselves. Auto‑playing audio can be confusing or overwhelming.
Button text or aria‑labels should clearly say what they do, e.g. “Listen to page content” or “Stop reading”.
A team of first‑gen STEM students at the Sutton Trust × Microsoft hack, May 2026.
