Choosing a university is a huge step. After all, you’re going to be spending the next few years of your life at that location and with those people. So how are you making your decision?
Updated: 17 Mar 2025
The question is: what should you be looking for in a university? What are the most important aspects you should consider before you commit to a decision?
Let’s take a look at the top considerations, and why they are so important.
If you have a choice of several unis, it’s good to pay attention to the academic reputation of each one. Tuition fees aren’t small, and so if you’re going to spend several years paying off your loan it’s good to make sure you’re getting the best value for money while you’re studying.
You want to attend a uni which has a reputation for producing excellent academic results. To get these results, students have to be engaged, stretched and encouraged, which is what you’re likely to need in order to produce your best work. High quality of results also generally means a high quality of teaching too.
Although it’s important to dissect the information on offer to make sure you get the best possible package for your chosen area of study.
Good academic facilities go hand in hand with a good academic reputation. It’s difficult to achieve the level of success you need if you’re working in an environment that’s not suited to academic excellence in the first place.
Visiting a university, attending open days and virtual events are an excellent way of seeing first-hand what the academic landscape looks like, before you commit to spending your university career there.
NEXT: Book open days on Whatuni now.
This can work two ways:
You want to attend a university that’s close to home, so that travel at the end of term is simple.
You want to be as far away from home as possible as you relish the idea of being away on your own and all independent, without any interference from family.
Of course, distance should never be a deciding factor in its own, but it is important as part of the overall decision.
Location will also play a massive part in whether you can afford to live in the area independent from your parents, or if studying nearer to home could help with saving money, so do keep it in mind.
It’s interesting to look at things that other students wish they had thought about, or known about, before they started at their chosen university. For example...
How is the course of study going to fit with your life choices?
Time goes quickly and you don’t get your uni life back again; make the most of it.
Choosing housemates is really important; they're going to be like your family while you are at university.
Settling in may not be instantly easy so you need to patient and join societies to help you meet new people.
Your university years can be some of the greatest of your life, as long as you put some thought into where you are going to study. It’s important that both the course and university you choose help you to reach your ultimate goal. After all, you’re going to be spending years of your life, and a lot of money, on studying.
NEXT: Whatuni has dedicated profile pages for hundreds of universities across the UK. Start searching for the right university for you here.