Trying to narrow down your higher education longlist? Read on for 5 ways to REALLY get to know your university choices…
Choosing a university is the biggest decision of your life so far. At this point, you may have chosen a subject to study, but you still haven’t worked out which universities to apply to. What practical steps can you take to narrow your choices down? And how will you know you’ve made the right decision?
Follow our simple 5-step guide to how to choose a university that’s right for you...
Contents:
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Research the university’s reputation
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What do current students say?
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Take part in an Open Day
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Explore university accommodation
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Will the university suit your lifestyle?
Research the university’s reputation
University is where your career begins, so do your research to find out how your chosen universities sit in official rankings. If you already know which degree you want to study, find out which universities rank well for that subject. The Complete University Guide is often a good place to start!
Ask your parents or teachers what they know about the university. Is it a Russell Group university? Has it won awards for teaching or research? What is the university doing to change the world?
What do current students say?
Who knows more about what studying at university is like than its students? From campus life to the realities of lectures, students will tell the absolute truth when it comes to the practicalities of student life.
Explore the university’s website to find student blogs, or browse YouTube to find student campus tours and featured videos. Some universities have online chat and messaging systems you can use to ask current students about their experience.
Take part in an Open Day
Sometimes choosing the right university for you comes down to seeing the campus, and when better than during an Open Day? As well as specific subject sessions, you can tour the campus, view the undergraduate accommodation, attend your first lecture, and find out more about the Students' Union and what sports and societies are on offer.
An Open Day is an opportunity to really get a feel for the university campus and the vibe of the city or town, so don't forget to explore the wider area and any nearby shops, cultural venues, cinemas, and theatres, too. What’s the nightlife like? If this town or city is going to be your home for the next three years you need to be excited by it!
And if you can't attend an on-campus Open Day, check out a virtual event. These offer lots of the same information and virtual tours, with opportunities to live chat with staff and current students online, too. They're a really great way to find out more about your favourite universities and they're convenient, too, especially if you don't live in the UK.
Explore university accommodation
Make the most of a university Open Day by touring student accommodation - in person or online. This might mean viewing different residences or exploring different styles of student flats and bedrooms. Find out which halls are located right in the heart of campus and which are a little further away.
Don’t necessarily dismiss halls that mean a longer journey to campus. Some of these residences have extra perks, such as larger bedrooms, lower rents, or free parking.
Try to imagine yourself living at each residence from traditional Victorian halls to vibrant student villages. You might be surprised by which one feels most like home.
Will the university suit your lifestyle?
It might be that your top university choices are already close to where you live now, but if you’re thinking of moving further afield it’s important to look at travel options.
Explore road and rail links (a student railcard will save you money on the cost of travel); there might even be an airport close by.
Sometimes cities aren’t as far away as they seem. Newcastle is only a three-hour train journey from London, while our international airport operates direct flights to multiple worldwide destinations.
Some students like to travel home regularly while others want to find a university that’s far enough away from home for the university experience to feel like a real adventure. Which are you?
