How do I balance league tables vs course content when choosing a uni?

I have always been a high achiever, and there is a lot of pressure (both external and internal) for me to go to a top university like Oxbridge, Durham, St Andrews etc. However, when I have looked into the courses and modules offered by these universities, I don't like them as much as the courses offered by other unis such as Sheffield and Glasgow.

If I go to a top uni, despite the course being less relevant, I may not enjoy my time there. On the other hand, if I go to a lower university because I love the course, I will always regret missing out on the Oxbridge/Durham/St Andrews experience, and feel guilty about my decision, as though I have disappointed myself and everyone around me due to their high expectations.

Does anyone have any advice on how to balance this? I am applying for Computer Science or Software engineering btw! Thanks

I have always been a high achiever, and there is a lot of pressure (both external and internal) for me to go to a top university like Oxbridge, Durham, St Andrews etc. However, when I have looked into the courses and modules offered by these universities, I don't like them as much as the courses offered by other unis such as Sheffield and Glasgow.

If I go to a top uni, despite the course being less relevant, I may not enjoy my time there. On the other hand, if I go to a lower university because I love the course, I will always regret missing out on the Oxbridge/Durham/St Andrews experience, and feel guilty about my decision, as though I have disappointed myself and everyone around me due to their high expectations.

Does anyone have any advice on how to balance this? I am applying for Computer Science or Software engineering btw! Thanks

Hiya! I'm in my final year of Computer Science at university and I was going through the exact same problem when I was applying too! I can confidently say that picking a course you think you'll enjoy will be infinitely better than picking one you don't think you will. The modules offered should further your interest in CS (or a certain area of CS) and it's better to be assessed on something you enjoy.

As for the league table thing, I feel like even if you are happy with the university you end up in you'll still occasionally think of what would've happened if you'd picked X university but that's just something that comes with making decisions. I'd encourage going to the open days of universities you're interested in applying to, seeing the campuses in real life and talking to the CS lecturers and students there as that may help your decision. And don't worry about what you may feel in the future! Whether you'll feel guilty etc. As long as you're happy at uni when you get there, those kinds of feelings won't matter so much.

So yeah, make the most of your time at uni. The university experience depends highly on what you make of it. And take the time to choose the unis you apply to carefully. You'll be spending 3+ years there and it's best to pick universities and courses that will facilitate your learning and interests. That's what uni's for after all!

I hope that helps! Best of luck for the future.

- Sophia (Student Ambassador)