Students and their families often focus overwhelmingly on only some of the crucial aspects of choosing the right university, often missing other equally important, but less obvious, issues. So here i offer a few suggestions and tips about how best to think about choosing a university and a degree.
First think first, fear not - your school years are not the best years of your life. but you've probably figured that one out already. the three to six year you spend dodging lectures, downing pints and well getting an amazing education, however - they could be some of your best years. so long as you choose the right university.
First Steps.
- Approach the decision to pick a school as an exciting opportunity to learn all you can.
- Read Materials sent by colleges can be a valuable resource.
- Attend college fairs held in your area to pick up more information and talk with school representatives.
- Consider what life is like at any given institution. Most students benefit from making a list of what they are looking for in a school
As you read about schools and research them further, you'll get a better idea of what type of school seems like a good fit for you.
The Course
If the sight of this delights you, beware that old nurse is offered in only a handful of universities.
it goes without saying that one of the most important considerations when it comes to choosing the right university is whether or not you like the look of the course or courses they offer for your chosen subject.
if you are planning to study an unusual subject, your choice of universities may already be narrower, because not everywhere may offer it. On the other hand, popular subjects such as English or Mathematics will be offered virtually everywhere. You will therefore need to spend some time looking at the university department websites for your subject to get a feeling for how they differ. Have a look at the following :
1. Research and teaching reputation
How is the department viewed by its peers? it makes a big difference to how you feel about your department - and therefore how motivated you are to do well in it - to know that it is respected by other universities. The virtues of a strong reputation in teaching need hardly be emphasized; it goes without saying that teaching quality will affect significantly. Find out how courses are taught (for example, the weighting given to tutorials, classes and lectures) and try to find out what current students think of the teaching they receive (a forum such as The student Room can be a good place to look for this and get honest answers).
2. Their approach to teaching your subject
Have a read of what the university has to say about your subject and their approach to the teaching of it. Dose it strike a chord with you?
3. The compulsory modules
You won't have a choice about studying these, so make sure you're happy with the majority of them!
4. The choice of specialist subjects
Most universities will allow you to specialize to a certain extent, allowing you to tailor your degree to the areas of your subject that your'r most interested in. Read through their prospectus and make sure you're able to do this, and ensure that the subjects you want to study are covered.
5. The size of the department
This will give you some indication of its relative importance within the university, as well as showing you what you could be a part of. some people to be part of a small department with more of a family feel.
6. The facilities
Libraries, labs and equipment - the facilities available to you will have a bearing on your experience of the course, so find out a bit about them so that you can use this as another point of comparison.
7. How you'll be examined
Some students perform better under the pressure of exams, while others favor coursework. Take a look at the weighting for coursework/theses versus exams; if you're not an exam person and the course is examined purely on a series of exams taken at the end of your final year, a course that rests more on coursework may be better suited to you.
Consider the Location
There are urban, suburban, and rural colleges - something for everyone. Again, as when considering a school's size, it's helpful to think about what you are used to, and to weigh what you find good or bad about it. if you come from a big city, for example, do you want to try something different or do you freak out at the thought of seeing cows and fields instead of skyscrapers and concrete?
Consider the distance from the home. it's important to be realistic here. Many students are cavalier about wanting to leave home and go as far away as possible. Moving away from home is a big deal, so think seriously about what it's going to be like and whether or not you want to be on the other site of the world from your family. On the other hand, this is good chance to get out and experience new things, so don't be afraid to challenge yourself - just be honest with yourself when you are deciding what that means for you.
Size
You may prefer the relative anonymity of being part of a big year group, or you may want to be part of a tighter-knit family that comes with being in a small year group in which everyone knows each other. Figures for current numbers of students will give you a sense of how large or small a university is and can be used as a point of comparison.
Cost of living, tuition fees and grants
The cost of living may not be something you've thought about before, but it's something you'll notice very quickly when you move to university and start having ti fend for yourself. The cost of living varies across the country, with the most expensive areas being London and Oxford, and costs generally becoming cheaper the further north you go. London costs are often offset by increased access to funding, while Oxford is known for having almost London costs without the financial compensation (though many Oxford colleges offer generous grants).
Not to put too fine a point on it, but some universities have more money then others, and that may have a direct impact on the availability of grants to help you with costs associated with buying books, undertaking field work or foreign travel as part of your course, or even day to day living expenses.
Tuition fees very from university to university, and sometimes even from course to course within the same university, depending on the nature of the course. Fees also vary across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. You'll have student finance to cover your tuition costs, but if you're worried about the level of debt you'll come out with. it's worth comparing tuition fees as part of your university selection process.
Accommodation
Will you choose to live at home and commute, or would you rather be independent? Most universities will offer accommodation for your first year, after which you're expected to club together with your friends to find a house to share. Some universities, however, offer accommodation for your second or third years as well, including many Ox-bridge colleges. Accommodation should be key consideration, because if you're unhappy with where you are living, this can have an impact on your academic performance and general well-being. You should have the change to see university accommodation if you attend an open day.
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