How to choose a university you will love – 7 practical tips

For students in their final year of sixth form, or those receiving their A-level results, there’s one pressing question left to answer: where should you enrol for university?

Settling on a university is an anxiety-inducing process for students all across the world. That’s why we’ve created the perfect guideline for choosing one you’ll love!

1. Know your priorities

With any big decision comes the chance to focus on what you value the most. Maybe you’re looking for a university with a high graduation rate. Perhaps you’re more interested in how many student opportunities there are on campus.

In either of these cases, you should decide which element is most important to you. Consider the location, available courses, university reputation, and the range of extracurricular activities they offer for a thorough analysis.

2. Research thoroughly

To properly evaluate your options, you’ll need to do some research!

Use resources such as university websites, online rankings, and student reviews to understand each area’s reputation and the experiences of previous students.

Many institutions organise open days when students can ask questions to student ambassadors and staff members. Attending these events will help you get a feel of the environment and make it easier to picture yourself as a student there.

3. Consider your course of study

One of the most important decisions you have to make is your course of study. After all, that’s the main point of university!

Some students who do not put enough thought into their studies can often regret their course of choice, leading to switches early in the term. While this can be a quick solution, we recommend thinking carefully about your choice to avoid later administrative hassles.

Make sure to consider your interests, the subjects you perform best in, and the course curriculum and faculty. If you have a career you want to pursue, enrol in a course that will give you the best chance of success.

It’s also important to consider your learning style and preferences. If you perform better in practical-based environments, steer clear of written exam courses.

4. Evaluate your current financial situation

University is a big financial investment. Although student loans may cover your tuition and maintenance fees, this is largely dependent on your family’s financial situation.

For those with higher household incomes, you may be offered the lowest student loan amount (which is highly unlikely to cover your rent or other necessities). In these situations, look around for scholarships to help cover the cost.

You could also investigate if your prospective universities offer additional financial support for students. The cost of living will vary depending on the city you decide to live in. To lower costs, avoid expensive areas such as London and Bristol.

5. Talk to current students

One of the most helpful ways to choose a university is by heading straight to the source: students who are currently enrolled in your favourite universities.

By networking with students, you’ll get honest, up-to-date information about the university, how the courses are run, what the lecturers are like, and student life in the city.

For this, it’s best to prepare the right questions beforehand. Here are some examples to get you started:

• What do you enjoy most about studying at this university?
• How accessible are the professors and faculty when you need assistance?
• Are you involved in any extracurricular activities or student clubs?
• What’s the overall campus culture and social scene like?
• What’s the workload like for your course, and how do you manage it?
• Are there any specific challenges you’ve encountered as a student here?
• How easy is it to find part-time work or internships in the area?

You can contact current students on social media platforms such as Facebook or LinkedIn, during university open days.

6. Trust your instincts

When all is said and done, the one thing you can rely on is your gut instinct.

If all of your family thinks that a certain university is the best choice for you, but you don’t like the vibe of the campus or all of your friends are enrolling in a city that you don’t want to live in, it’s best to block out the background noise and listen to what your head is telling you.

Choose the university that you feel the most excited and comfortable about enrolling in. Don’t let societal expectations shame you into another choice.

If you’d prefer studying in a quaint area in Wales over a bustling city like Leeds, then that’s what you should do! After all, it’s you who will be studying there for the next few years, not your family.

7. Seek advice from counsellors and mentors

Seeking advice from career counsellors and mentors can provide you with valuable guidance. These people are the ones who will give you a valuable external perspective on your decision-making.

Schedule an appointment with your school or college counsellor to discuss your career goals and prospects. Together, you can work through your options and narrow it down to the best choice.

They can also assess your skills, personality, and preferences to compile a list of universities they think would be best suited for you.