Tips for choosing your degree

With so many universities and courses to choose from, selecting the university and degree that will meet your needs and fulfil your aspirations can sometimes feel like a challenging and daunting task.

Here are the University of Aberdeen’s top tips on how to narrow your search and find the best fit for you…

Do your research

Selecting the route for your academic future is one of the biggest decisions you will make so spend time and effort thoroughly researching the options which are out there for you.

Getting all of the background information you can on a given university or course and comparing and contrasting it with other options is the only way you can ensure the choice you make is the right one for you. For more information on the wide range of opportunities awaiting you at Aberdeen, please visit www.abdn.ac.uk/sras

Choose your degree for the right reasons

It’s important, when choosing your degree programme, to select a subject you are passionate about or have a genuine interest in. You will be spending the next three or four years of your life studying in whichever area of academia you choose, and you are far more likely to excel if you have chosen a topic you feel truly engaged with.

Full-time or part-time?

From full-time learning through to part-time and distance courses, the range of options open to those wishing to pursue higher education is extensive, with degree programmes out there tailored towards the different needs of all kinds of prospective students.

Get advice

This is a big decision so getting advice from a wide range of sources is the best way of helping you assess your options. Ask for advice from friends and family to current students, university alumni, staff and professors. Each of these groups of people will be able to offer you a different perspective and vital information which could really give you an insight into how to make the choice which will be the right one for you. Aberdeen university forum on TSR

Look at lifestyle

University life is not just about academia – it’s about the overall experience. For many university is a time of personal development where you can learn a lot about yourself as an individual. So choosing an institution which ticks the boxes when it comes to the social activities which you enjoy or hope to get involved in is also vital.

The University of Aberdeen has more than 150 clubs and societies to join, as well as opportunities to undertake study abroad and work placements.

Pay a visit!

You wouldn't buy a car without test driving it first – so why should you choose a university without first giving it a once over? Visiting the university which you are thinking of attending before you make your final choice is a great way of knowing whether it’s the right fit for you.

Following our annual Open Day on the 1st September, we are holding a Virtual Open Day on the 25th October – visit www.abdn.ac.uk/adifferentopenday for more information. We can also arrange a private visit for you, and you’ll get an invitation to one of our Applicant Days if you decide to apply.

The University of Aberdeen is one of the world’s top universities, and there has never been a more exciting time to study with us. To find out more about our exciting developments, visit www.abdn.ac.uk/thedifference

To view more of our videos, or to take a virtual tour of our campus, visit www.abdn.ac.uk/virtual/index.php