A student's guide to choosing the right UK university
If you’re wondering how and where to start when choosing a university, help is at handy with this comprehensive guide.
CONTENTS
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Campus facilities and resources
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Extracurricular activities and student life
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University environment and culture
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Financial considerations
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Checklist
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Visiting universities
Going to university provides opportunities to gain knowledge and practical experience and learn more about yourself and how the world works. Finding the right university for you is therefore key to your academic and personal growth.
Our guide will help you navigate the decision-making process to find your perfect match.
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Define your academic goals
Before you start your research, it’s important to establish a clear idea of your interests and career aspirations. This will help you choose a course that aligns with your goals.
If you are interested in studying computer science, consider whether you are drawn to the theoretical aspects like algorithms, or if you prefer the more practical side like software development. This will help you establish the strengths and weaknesses of various academic programmes against your academic goals.
A university’s reputation is also worth researching. Our university league tables are a good place to start, providing up to date information on overall rankings as well as specific metrics like entry standards, graduate prospects and student satisfaction.
When you’re researching a university that feels like a good fit, look at the campus facilities.
How recently has the university invested in resources such as libraries and research centres and what state-of-the-art equipment is on offer?
All these facilities will improve your learning experience and give you confidence when talking about your skills and knowledge as a graduate applying for jobs.
You can explore the ratings for facilities and academic spend through the university league table as well as individual university profile pages.
An active social life is also important for a balanced student experience. Look at the clubs and societies the university provides as well as relevant support groups. Think about the sports and recreational activities that you’d like to continue or develop.
What sorts of social spaces are available on campus and how active is the Student Union in programming events?
All these things can help you make friends and have a more fulfilling time.
Universities come in many different shapes and sizes, and this can contribute to their atmosphere. Ask yourself:
- Do you prefer a city, coastal or rural campus environment?
- Would a small, medium or large student community suit you best?
- Would you like a campus where everything is on site or has a mix of campus and local amenities as well?
Consider the university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion too. Some universities make a point of specifying how they create an inclusive atmosphere or provide data on ways they’re welcoming under-represented groups in higher education or improving social mobility for example.
It’s worth investigating what financial support the university offers in terms of scholarships, bursaries and other funding initiatives.
Location will also have an impact as some places in the UK are more affordable than others. This is particularly important to consider with the rise in the cost of living in all areas from food, accommodation and energy bills to books, clothes and travel.
When choosing a university, it helps to create a decision-making checklist. This will enable you to systematically evaluate your choices and come up with a list in order of preference.
Think about:
- What you want to study
- What grades you think you’ll achieve
- What learning priorities you have e.g., somewhere with highly rated research facilities
- University reputation in your area of interest
- Facilities and extracurricular activities e.g., libraries, sports, wellbeing services
- Where you’d like to live and preferred environment
- What size student community suits you best
- Financial considerations - like your budget and the financial support available
Our Uniselect tool can help you create this shortlist.
Going to an open day will help you clarify your thinking. No matter how great somewhere looks on paper, there is nothing like visiting the campus and surrounding area, chatting to students and lecturers and looking at the accommodation on offer.
Many universities will also offer virtual online tours or are amenable to individual visits if you have special requirements that can’t be catered for on a usual open day.
Taking time to decide what you want from a university and then doing some research based on these key factors will help you make a thoughtful decision when selecting a university.
Think about the sections raised in this guide as a starting point and consider the checklist as a handy summary of what to research.
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