9 Ways to Find Your Ideal University (as told by a Year 13)

Check upcoming open days and book your place

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This is probably your starting point, but if it's not, it’s where you should begin. The course is what you will spend your time doing for three years or more, and it’s a pretty big part of the university experience. If you don’t find the right course – or you get to uni and don’t enjoy it – it won’t be a good use of your time. Remember: if you think you’ve made the wrong choice, there’s always time to change your mind (even when you’re at uni)!

2. Attend an open day

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Open days were certainly the be all and end all for me when making my choice. Looking around the universities and actually meeting the lecturers really allowed me to see what the university had to offer, not only in terms of the facilities but also in the attitudes of the lecturers. This could easily be your decision maker; you’ll certainly know if a place feels right or not.

3. Compare the modules

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One thing I found surprising was the number of different modules available on each course. Even though courses were called the same thing at different unis, they differed massively in terms of content. Whilst some may focus on academia and exams, other courses have more of a practical element – all meeting different students’ needs. The best course for you should have modules that YOU are interested in, rather than ones that you have no interest in.

4. Explore the area

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When you attend an open day, a great thing to do is to look around the town and explore. See if there’s anything that catches your eye, or if there’s actually enough to do. If the students’ union is closed on weekends, make sure there is somewhere in the town to go. The last thing you want is to be stuck in your room the entire time, with nothing to do or see outside of the university.

5. See if it’s homely

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Finding the perfect university in terms of the course and area is fine, but if the place doesn’t feel like somewhere you’d belong it may not be right for you. Finding an environment in which you know you’ll thrive can be tricky; Russell Group universities are excellent academically, for instance, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll like the vibe you get from some of them. Every university has a different atmosphere, so looking for the right one for you may take a long time – but it’ll be worth it in the end.

6. Does it offer work experience?

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Understandably, a lot of students worry that they won’t be able to find a job after their degree is over. To boost the chance of succeeding after uni, searching for a course that offers work experience can be a huge help. Completing experience in various companies will build up your CV and give you plenty of references to support any applications you make after you graduate. The companies you undertake work experience with might even offer you paid work in the holidays, or take you on once you’ve finished your course!

7. Is it accredited?

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Obviously this only applies to certain courses (eg. journalism, architecture, or medicine). Employers or respected organisations sometimes look at a course and award it an ‘accreditation’ in order to help it stand out. This means that while some courses may have the same name as each other, only certain ones may have by a relevant body. Looking for accredited courses could put you at an advantage when you graduate (and for some careers like medicine, it’s absolutely essential).

8. How does it compare to the others?

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Universities all vary massively: the course, the atmosphere, the facilities and the area will all be completely different. You may prefer the countryside universities or the city ones, or perhaps the one closest to home. It’s good to compare the different features each university has to offer, or to look at how the students themselves rate the universities. (Unis may look great on the surface, but actual students are the ones that know the truth behind the planned open day experiences.)

9. What’s your gut telling you?

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This is the most important factor. Do you feel right? Are you comfortable? Can you see yourself in a place like this? If not, then it probably isn’t the right place for you. If you feel safe, then seriously consider that university as your top choice. The grades or levels of ‘prestige’ the uni offers shouldn’t make the decision for you. It’s up to you in the end, so think carefully and good luck!

Next

- How to Choose the Right University

- Going to a Local University: Pros Vs. Cons