Applying to university is simple - you'll get a UCAS form which you fill in with the choices you make.
However, the hard choice is actually choosing which university and/or course to do! So we've come up with some tips:
- Compare the content of your chosen course & the style of learning offered at each institution, as degrees & courses with the same name may be very different at each university or college.
- Help with study skills and easy access to & help with computers & technology will probably be useful to you.
- Are there any work experience opportunities or work-related skills offered as part of the course (if that is important to you) and you can ask how many students get relevant jobs at the end of their course. Some university sites list their destinations statistics on their websites or you can ask them to send them to you. Opportunities to study in other countries may also be available. Another way of getting useful experience is by getting involved in student activities, including the Student Union, especially if you become an officer or initiate new projects.
- Compare the quality assessment reports for research & teaching in Higher Education universities & colleges (searchable by institution or subject) at the:
- Quality Assurance Agency
- HEFCE (Higher Education Funding Council for England)
- Scottish Higher Education Funding Council
- Welsh Funding Councils
- Education Unlimited from the Guardian newspaper
- These tables may be useful in choosing between universities. However, overall league tables of universities or colleges, often quoted in newspapers, will not tell you very much about the particular department or faculty you wish to study at, the quality of teaching, resources or research.
- 5. Social issues, including the range of social, sports & cultural activities, the cost of living, whether the university is on a campus outside of any town or based in a city and the geography of local region may all be important to you in your decision. You may get some useful hints or information from the student union websites at each university. There are also publications which grade universities according to student views which you may find in your local library, careers office & in some British Council offices, if you are an international student. It is always helpful if you can visit any universities you are interested in. Look out for or ask about Open Days when staff & students will be available to answer any questions.
- 6. If you are a disabled person, there is information available in Skill's factsheets & their publications on colleges & universities. Information on your rights under the Disability Discrimination Act is available at the Disability Rights Commission, including codes of practice for colleges & universities and for all service providers.
- 7. Student support services such as counselling, careers, health & child care are also worth finding out about. Student services staff in universities & colleges will also provide information & support in helping you make decisions about choosing your courses or dealing with any questions you may have.
- 8. Working part-time while you are studying is likely to be important to many students, so check out whether there are likely to be part-time jobs available in the area or within the university and also, if you are an international student, what you are legally allowed to do. There is useful information on this issue and other information on studying in the UK at the Education UK from the British Council.
< back
forward >