‘How do I choose a university?’, is a question that we hear time and time again from prospective students who find themselves overwhelmed by the choices on offer. Choosing a university is no small task and we advise our clients to take a calm and methodical approach. As with anything, the more information you have – the better prepared you are to make informed choices. Universities differ hugely in terms of life on campus, the style of teaching, module options and teaching teams. All of this information is available to you, as well as the chance to visit universities during their open days in order to get a feel for them and an opportunity to ask questions.
Things to consider when choosing a university
Subject
Identifying the subject that you want to study is your first step. This will mean that you can then identify the universities that are recognised as housing an exceptional department and compare your university options. Spend time looking into the career options that you will have after studying in your chosen area – it is important to think about the ‘bigger picture’ and plan ahead – rather than finding yourself on the wrong course!
Course modules
Once you have selected your subject, go through different university websites or prospectuses and look at their module options. This is very important because the courses on offer change frequently and are often dependent on the expertise of staff members. For example, one university might have a team of Americanists in their History department, and this is likely to mean that the module options are skewed towards American History – if this aligns with your interests – great! If not, you might find that the module options at another university are better suited to you.
University rankings
University rankings are available and are updated yearly. Spend some time looking at the ranking of U.K. universities – this will very quickly (and visually) identify you the top contenders and give you something to work towards.
Student Life
Choosing the right university is not solely about identifying your subject choice and module options. It is vital to remember that this is somewhere that you will be living – not just working. While you will be studying over a period of years, you will study harder and more effectively if you are happy with your environment. With this in mind, visit the student accommodation and ask current students about their experiences with different clubs and societies. Even more importantly – explore the city! Universities are usually the heartbeat of a city with vibrant culture and diverse student populations. It is a very worthwhile task to take the time to explore the city itself, once you have visited the university campus. After all, this is the place that you will call home for a number of years! Its vital when writing your personal statement to ensure the university knows you are going to be a great assent and embrace university life.
Most popular universities in the U.K.
The U.K.’s TOP universities in terms of academic achievement are:
- University of Oxford
- University of Cambridge
- Imperial College London
- UCL (University College London)
- University of Edinburgh
- The University of Manchester
- King’s College London (KCL)
- London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
- The University of Bristol
- The University of Warwick
This is just the top selection of a vast number of world-renowned universities that the U.K. is home to. Every year, universities carry out student satisfaction surveys and these are fully accessible so that prospective students can gauge the student experience – from those who have just studied at the institution! You can use the Times Higher Education World University Rankings to help you as well, where you can look at profiles of different universities and see how they compare on the world stage. This is a very useful resource in terms of identifying if – and how – the institution that you are looking at compares favourably. It is worthwhile remembering, though, that statistics will only get you so far in your search – by far, the most important thing that you can do when choosing a university visits them in person (or on a virtual tour) and make your mind up. The chances are, if it feels right to you and offers you a selection of modules that excites you and makes you want to work hard – then that is the course and university for you.
Choosing a university checklist
- Does the university offer the course that you want to do?
- Have you compared your course choice with other universities?
- Have you visited the campus/gone to a university open day?
- Have you spent time in the city? What is it like?
- Have you enquired about or looked into clubs and societies at the university?
- What is the student accommodation like?
- How does the university compare in league tables?
- How does the university do in student satisfaction surveys?
- Does it feel ‘right’ to you?
- Are you going to be able to write a personal statement showing your passion for applying?
Keep the questions in this checklist in mind during your university search. Choosing the right uni is a hugely important decision that will impact the rest of your life. Taking the time to explore the different options available to you is well worth taking the time to do so, so that you can make the right decision for you. Always remember that while league tables and statistics are important, different things matter to different people in their search. Don’t be afraid to approach universities directly with questions – the best time to do this is during uni open days but – in the event that you have questions after or before this day – get in touch with individuals identified in the prospectus to gain an insight into your course of choice. Remember that they want to attract capable, enthusiastic and determined individuals to their course and it is in their best interest to be warm and welcoming towards someone who might be part of the next cohort! Lastly – enjoy the experience. For most people, this will only happen once in a lifetime and it will be over in a flash so savour the excitement of the unknown.
If you need help with a personal statement service when applying, we would recommend Getting In