What to Consider when Choosing a University

What are you interested in studying?

Many universities offer courses with the same title, but when you take a deep dive into the content, you may find that they vary greatly.

Think about what you’re studying now at A Level, what you enjoy about it and where you’d like to be in the future. Try and find a course that covers the aspects that matter the most to you.

Teaching and assessment style is also another key consideration that could easily be overlooked. Does the university assess students purely based on exams, or are there coursework and practical-based assessments? Choose a university that offers the style you favour and perform better in.

Doing a degree you enjoy will make the university experience (and early rises) even more worthwhile. 

Where would you like to live?

Do you see yourself living in a city or on a campus-based university? Would you like to stay close to home or get as far away as possible? What is your budget for rent and other living expenses? How close do you need to be to the campus? All these questions could help you narrow down your choices by their location.

Visit the campus or do a Google map search of the area to discover the local shops and bars, transport links and other tourist attractions. Ask yourself if this is a location you can imagine yourself living in for the next three years.

Check out university accommodation, too! Especially if this is your first time away from your family. You want to move somewhere affordable and that feels friendly, safe, and homely to keep the homesickness bug at bay.

No matter what the university offers, if the location doesn’t suit you, it will dampen your experience, so it’s important to get this one right!

Will it lead to your dream career?

Look at career prospects for your degree and if you can, read about the university’s alumni to see what experiences they’ve had. Going to university will open a lot of doors for you and it’s important that the institution you choose can guide you on a path to success.

Experience in your field is always a good thing and will lead to a great CV and even greater opportunities when you graduate. Perhaps your choices offer hands-on experience with software and facilities you’d use in industry or work experience embedded into the curriculum. These are things that can set you apart from the competition when you apply for jobs.

A university’s careers service is also something you should investigate as they can help you find internships and part-time work alongside your studies. 

What about student life?

Going to university is about much more than just a degree and everyone’s idea of student life is completely different. For some, it is about the music bars and late nights out with friends and for others, it is about cinema dates and quiet nights in. Whatever student life means to you, make sure your university choice offers it.

It’s also worth looking at a university’s Students' Union to see what clubs and societies they offer.  Whether you’re interested in sports, music, or gaming, joining a society is a great way to meet like-minded people who share the same interests as you. Some universities may already have your favourite activities set up, or even give you the chance to start your own society!

Support is also a key aspect of student life. Over the course of 3 or more years, you never know what issues you may face, and it’s important to know who you can contact if you ever have any troubles.