How to know which university to go to?

Hello! i still have time before i actually start to pick my final uni choices but i do want to go to some open days this year to broaden my choices. the thing is i can only go to so many though and some unis i’m looking at are also very far from me, though i could make the commitment if i decided it was somewhere i really wanted to look at.

I’m just not really sure about how to decide which unis to go to. for example i think bath, warwick and durham all have open days on the same days in june and i can most likely only go to one for now (they’re all quite far from me) so what should i be looking for in unis that can help me decide?? i was thinking about checking their individual course contents but im not sure how to judge whether or not a course is right for me, is it just what looks most appealing??

Reply 1

MMU-UGStudentRep

Official Rep

Hey @elleeaii!

I totally get how tricky it is when you can't visit every open day. Here's a way to narrow it down if you can't visit them all:

Course content - definitely have a look at the module breakdown for each course, but also think about what you want to get out of it. Does the course lead to the kind of career you want? Or do the topics feel engaging and relevant? Consider how they balance theory, practical (if applicable), and assessments/coursework. what suits your learning style?

Reach out to departments - if you can't make an open day, send a quick email to the course leaders or admissions team. Ask about things like: flexibility in module choices (can you specialise in areas that interest you?), typical career paths for graduates, any real-world experiences or industry links (internships, placements, etc).

Current students' experiences - look up student forums (like TSR or on social media) to see what students say about the course. Sometimes you can get the inside scoop on how the course actually feels and the workload.

Campus visits - even if you miss the open days, check if the uni has a virtual tour of the campus or any virtual sessions. Some have virtual open days, and you can join in without the travel hassle.

Compare unis based on what matters most to you - is it location? Uni culture? Career prospects? Student life? Support services? Take a step back and see what fits best with your preferences.

Focus on what's going to help you feel prepared and confident for your future studies. What course are you thinking of? 👀

Hope this helps!
Innaya, MMU student rep x

(edited 10 months ago)

Reply 2

mike23mike

Nothing replaces a campus visit. You will be spending the next 3/4 years of your life there so you need to be happy with your choice of university.

Reply 3

McGinger

You will find Campus Tour and previous Open Day films on YouTube.
You need to read each course description, and available unit options, very carefully. Each course will be different.
Think about your realistic grade expectations, and make choices in line with this.