Figuring out what to study at university is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. Follow our simple 5-step guide to choosing a university course and before long you’ll have found your passion and started on the road to your future career.
Thought choosing your A Level (or equivalent) subjects was difficult? Going through the process of choosing a university course can be even more daunting!
Although most university courses will open up a host of exciting future job roles and opportunities (including some unexpected ones), the degree you choose could well guide you on the path to your dream career.
But don’t worry if your choice of university course isn’t something you’ve had planned for the last 10 years. Lots of soon-to-be students don't, so you're in good company.
To help you choose a university course that’s right for you we’ve pulled together a simple 5-step guide. So, sit back, and let’s begin.
Contents:
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Find your passion
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Check the entry requirements
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Match your achievements
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Match your career aspirations
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Do your research
1. Find your passion
Your chosen uni course should appeal to your passions. What do you enjoy studying at the moment? Which A Level (or equivalent) is your favourite subject? If Biology’s your thing, then who’s to say that it can’t be for the next three years, too?
The subjects you are studying now are also a great place to start in terms of exploring courses which you might never have even heard of. With Biology there are tonnes of related courses to explore too, such as Biochemistry, Zoology and Physiological Sciences (to name just a few).
Use our course finder to look up subjects that you find interesting, and keep an eye on related degrees in the section 'You may be interested in’ which might open up a whole new world of possibilities for you.
2. Check the entry requirements
Whichever course you choose, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got a decent chance of achieving the grades you need to secure your place.
On track for an A and two B’s in your exams? Then you’re probably best to make a list of universities which require slightly higher grades than you’re expecting and choose a few which require grades slightly below your predicted grades. This way, every possibility is covered.
It’s also worth checking whether the course requires specific A Levels or GCSEs (or equivalent). If you’re not sure whether the subjects you're taking will fit your degree choice, ask your teacher for advice.
3. Match your achievements
What you’re doing well in could also be a huge factor in how you choose a university course that’s right for you. If you’ve been getting good marks in English and you enjoy it too, this might be a great starting point for exploring degrees and careers that suit your interests and skill set.
On the other hand, just because you enjoy something right now doesn’t mean it’ll necessarily appeal at a university level. Using our university course finder, take the time to really look at the course content to make sure it matches your interests.
4. Match your career aspirations
If you already know what you want to be, then you have a major head start in finding the degree that’s right for you.
If you’re pretty sure what you want to do when it comes to the wider world of work, it’s a great idea to investigate which courses can get you there. Ask your teacher for advice, or use our university course finder to search subjects of interest and see if your chosen career matches up with the results.
5. Do your research
The most important thing when picking your course is to do as much research as possible into your options. It’ll make your decision feel much less daunting and, once you think you've chosen your dream university degree, all you have to do is choose your dream university, too!
Need some inspiration? Ask one of our current students through our online chat and messaging system how they chose their university degree. They might have some extra tips or tricks to try, or they might be able to give you some information about a particular degree that you’re interested in.
Still asking yourself, "What uni course should I do?" If you’d like to ask us a question, fill in our enquiry form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!
