Safe to use parallels for mac?

The app is safe, but it may not be the solution you need. Microsoft has stated they have no plans to produce a consumer version of ARM Windows. The ARM version is needed to run Windows on an Apple silicone Mac.

You need to read the system requirements here: https://www.parallels.com/blogs/parallels-desktop-m1/

They are at the bottom. 1. Running VMs on Apple M1 Mac computers in Parallels Desktop 16.5 requires ARM-based operating systems (OSs). Customers who install guest operating systems in Parallels Desktop virtual machines are responsible for making sure that they are compliant with each OS’s end-user licensing agreement (EULA). 

Note in the article the references to running Linux on Mac.

As is the usual case, things do change and Microsoft may relent on the ARM version and a developer may figure out a way to run a non ARM version. But you likely should not count heavily on those possibilities.

Double-check with the Uni if those specific Windows applications have 64-bit Mac versions that are compatible with macOS Monterey (which is what will be on a new Mac purchased before Ventura is released in the Fall). With the growth of Macs in use by students everywhere, no sane professor or Uni would force a Windows-only application as a course requirement.

You're correct. But my grandson's school of engineering suggested and advised Windows for full compatibility with their program.

Students were free to use a Mac, but the school provided free of charge the Windows apps. Mac users had to buy their own and the school stated specifically any problems with the Mac's usage was not going to be handled by the school. The Mac students were totally on their own.

They can't force a particular brand of computer, but they can, and do, design their programs around certain operating system and provide free support for only that OS.

Typically when a University program requires a specific hardware setup, they make available some limited number of stations running that hardware, ready to go. (for example, if you needed a few milliseconds of Supercomputer time to complete your assignments, the university would need to provide a way for you to get that access without requiring each student buy a supercomputer.)

If you want to stay with Mac, see if they have some Windows computers in a lab somewhere (with that required software already installed) that could be used for this.