What to consider when choosing a university

Selecting a uni where you’ll be studying, working and living full time can be daunting, especially with hundreds to choose from across the UK. As it’s such a huge decision, I’ve put together 5 tips to consider when thinking about the next part of your journey:

1. Be sure of your course! It’s perfectly understandable to not know what you want to do after uni (it is in at least 3 years!) though don’t fall into the trap of picking any old course. Take your time to choose, thinking about what subjects you’ve already studied/got experience in or enjoy. If you’re unsure have a look at https://www.prospects.ac.uk which matches your skills and personality to career options and courses.
2. Consider the uni environment: universities come in many styles now, whether buildings are across a city, town, or on a campus. Think about which sort environment you’d prefer in terms of how close you are to lectures, town, facilities, etc.
3. Visit! Once you’ve narrowed your options, visit a few to get a real idea of the uni, course specifics and sense of the area. This can be through either open days (before you apply) or applicant days (after) and they’re great opportunities to suss out the buildings where you’ll be studying, the living situation and social scene.
4. Accommodation: check out uni halls and housing that’s offered before you visit- some have virtual tours online so you can see what the rooms, kitchens and living areas look like. Don’t forget to ask how many people are in a flat, they typically range from 4-12+ people so this might be a big factor in helping you decide where to live, depending on how many you want to share with. Putting the halls’ address in Google maps will also help you gauge the location relative to uni, bars, restaurants. This will help you decide if you’ll need a car/bus pass or if everything is in walking distance.
5. The student union and student services. Check out what extra support unis offer - this could make or break your experience! For example, health and well-being, financial advice, study skills or disability support. A lot of this information is online though it’s always helpful to chat to staff if you think you might need extra help. It’s also good to see what sports and societies a student union has to offer - these are a great way to meet new people and take your mind off assignments, exams and coursework.

Remember, uni can be an amazing experience, just make sure you’ve really explored the right place and course for you!