How to pick universities?

So, I am currently in Year 13. We haven’t been given are predicted grades yet but mine will most likely be As and possibly Bs. Although, I can always talk to my teachers.

So far, I’ve looked at Surrey, UEA, York, Lancaster and I will be looking at Bristol soon too.

I only really liked Lancaster and I somewhat liked York.

I want to study Computer Science but I have no idea where! How do you choose what universities to look at? I was just choosing based off courses and cross referencing how highly they rank.

I liked Lancaster because of the atmosphere, town and just the university in general.

Reply 1

McGinger

The usual advice about your 5 UCAS choices is :

•

1 just above your predicted grades - one grade and not in a vital subject.

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3 at your predicted grades - your most likely offers

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1 at least one grade below your predicted grades - this would be your Insurance choice

Look at each course in detail - they will all be different. Look at the optional modules in all years of the course and think about which you would choose if you went there.

Think about the sort of Uni you want - big/small, city/modern campus, etc. Everyone wants/needs different things so there is no 'best ' Uni for everyone for any subject - its personal.

For CS, any degree with a placement year or any sort of integrated work-experience is a big plus. It will add heaps to your graduate CV and immediatly put you above anyone without 'relevant experience'

Reply 2

University of Bath

Official Rep

Original post by unabashed-cy

So, I am currently in Year 13. We haven’t been given are predicted grades yet but mine will most likely be As and possibly Bs. Although, I can always talk to my teachers.
So far, I’ve looked at Surrey, UEA, York, Lancaster and I will be looking at Bristol soon too.
I only really liked Lancaster and I somewhat liked York.
I want to study Computer Science but I have no idea where! How do you choose what universities to look at? I was just choosing based off courses and cross referencing how highly they rank.
I liked Lancaster because of the atmosphere, town and just the university in general.

Hi there,

Stellar advice above!

That's a great set of (predicted) predicted grades so kudos for putting in the work to get to get those. It sounds like you're definitely taking the right approach by looking at the course modules in detail. Yes agreed the most important thing is to choose a course with modules which capture your interest - would you look forward to studying this? Would they help you towards any career ideas you may have?

Its great to see you've already got a contender in Lancaster - super important that you can walk through a place and feel at ease and as though you can see yourself feeling at home here. If you can I'd also recommend trying to chat to a few current students from the unis you're interested in, look at the other things you can do whilst at that uni such as societies, extracurriculars and events, part time jobs, as these will all add to your uni experience.

I also couldn't emphasise enough how great an opportunity an industrial or research placement is. When I did mine as a psychology research assistant I learnt a lot about the area I was working in, and by leading my own projects got a lot of experience in project management, leadership and advanced statistical modelling which was not only great for my CV but also a lot of fun!

I hope this also helps, very best of luck!

Holly
University of Bath

Reply 3

Scotney

Original post by unabashed-cy

So, I am currently in Year 13. We haven’t been given are predicted grades yet but mine will most likely be As and possibly Bs. Although, I can always talk to my teachers.
So far, I’ve looked at Surrey, UEA, York, Lancaster and I will be looking at Bristol soon too.
I only really liked Lancaster and I somewhat liked York.
I want to study Computer Science but I have no idea where! How do you choose what universities to look at? I was just choosing based off courses and cross referencing how highly they rank.
I liked Lancaster because of the atmosphere, town and just the university in general.

I do think going to open days on top of everything you have been told already is really important.They are booking already so go and see your choices if you can.

Reply 4

UEA Rep Fatma

Official Rep

Original post by unabashed-cy

So, I am currently in Year 13. We haven’t been given are predicted grades yet but mine will most likely be As and possibly Bs. Although, I can always talk to my teachers.
So far, I’ve looked at Surrey, UEA, York, Lancaster and I will be looking at Bristol soon too.
I only really liked Lancaster and I somewhat liked York.
I want to study Computer Science but I have no idea where! How do you choose what universities to look at? I was just choosing based off courses and cross referencing how highly they rank.
I liked Lancaster because of the atmosphere, town and just the university in general.

Hi @unabashed-cy 🙂
I remember being in your position, so hopefully I can help!
Firstly, is there any areas of computer science you really enjoy? Have a look at universities' website and see which ones offer modules for it. Pay special attention to the optional modules you get to pick in your second and third years.
Next, think of the kind of university you'd like. Would you prefer a campus one, where everything you need is close by or a city one, where facilities are scattered around the city? Do you prefer a more quiet or busy city? All of these can help shape your decision.
Make a list of the universities that catch your eye and I'd highly recommend attending open days. These give you the opportunity to speak to current students and staff, which will help solidify your decision.
It's great you're considering applying to UEA! Have you attended an open day at UEA? If not, there are upcoming ones (26th October and 23rd November) that you can register your interest for.
I'd be more than happy to answer any questions about UEA itself, Norwich or anything else!
I wish you the best with your application for computer science! 🙂
Fatma
Natural Sciences student.

Reply 5

Kingston Reps

Official Rep

Original post by unabashed-cy

So, I am currently in Year 13. We haven’t been given are predicted grades yet but mine will most likely be As and possibly Bs. Although, I can always talk to my teachers.
So far, I’ve looked at Surrey, UEA, York, Lancaster and I will be looking at Bristol soon too.
I only really liked Lancaster and I somewhat liked York.
I want to study Computer Science but I have no idea where! How do you choose what universities to look at? I was just choosing based off courses and cross referencing how highly they rank.
I liked Lancaster because of the atmosphere, town and just the university in general.

Hi @unabashed-cy

Some great advice has already been given!

Just thought I would also recommend open days as this is something that really helped me see where I could see myself living and studying and get more information on the course.

I think choosing which university by the course and rankings is a great place to start. You then may also want to narrow it down by location/distance from where you live, city or campus? Think about the things you enjoy doing, where offers that. What support does the university offer when it comes to things like wellbeing, careers, etc.
I used Unifrog - The universal destinations platform. when I was looking.

I though I would also just leave a link here to a previous posts I have made about how I made my decision:
My Deciding Factors For Choosing Kingston University - The Student Room
Key factors to consider when choosing a university - The Student Room
Why I Chose Fashion Communication at Kingston - The Student Room

I hope this helps :smile:

-Grace (Kingston Rep)

Reply 6

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

Original post by unabashed-cy

So, I am currently in Year 13. We haven’t been given are predicted grades yet but mine will most likely be As and possibly Bs. Although, I can always talk to my teachers.
So far, I’ve looked at Surrey, UEA, York, Lancaster and I will be looking at Bristol soon too.
I only really liked Lancaster and I somewhat liked York.
I want to study Computer Science but I have no idea where! How do you choose what universities to look at? I was just choosing based off courses and cross referencing how highly they rank.
I liked Lancaster because of the atmosphere, town and just the university in general.

Hi @unabashed-cy
Nice to hear your considering studying Computer Science at Lancaster!
When trying to decide between computer science courses at different universities, I would recommend looking at what types of modules you could expect to study at each university, as a computer science course as different universities might have different module options. A list of the typical modules on Lancaster course can be found here Computer Science BSc Hons (G400) - Lancaster University.
Also, when trying to decide between universities, its good to think about the university more generally in terms of, is it a campus or city university? What are its accommodation options? Do you like the nearby town/city? Does the university have a good careers service. These are all good things to factor into your decision as well as if you like their computer science course. I would recommend the best way to get a feel for the university, would be to visit it on an open day or offer holder day to have an explore of the university and see if you could imagine yourself living and studying there.
If you have any more questions on Lancaster, feel free to ask!
-Jasmine (Lancaster Student Ambassador)